I saw Sonny Rollins last night

Shakin-Slim · #1 06-11-2011, 03:49 PM

He played here in Wellington, NZ last night. I didn't get to see the gig as it wasn't really an option financially. My girlfriend knew how cut I was at not being able to see the gig and I was lying there in bed and sat up and she said "you're gonna go down there aren't you?"

I'm sure glad she knows me. So I ran down to the venue, the gig had already finished, but I waited around. I saw a van and a car go out the back so I went around there and sure enough, out comes the band. I'm not sure of who the players are with him these days, except Bob Cranshaw and I saw him. Then out came Sonny and they drove off.

It doesn't seem like much, seeing as I didn't get the courage to say hi, especially as the driver was looking at me like I was a suspicious character, but just seeing Sonny up close made up for the fact that I didn't get to see the gig, well almost. Also it has taken Sonny his whole career to have an opportunity to come to NZ, so I don't know if he'll be back any time soon. I'm still kicking myself for not putting aside some money earlier to get some tickets, but it was not to be.

Anyone else here seen Sonny play live recently? What's his gig like?

waleross · #2 06-11-2011, 04:53 PM

Jazz musicians are not like super-rock stars, they are usually very accessible. I remember seeing Charles Mingus in NYC and he was a real cool dude. Of course it depends on the setting and circumstances. I watched a lot of jazz greats at the Village Vangard and you could walk up and say hello without any problems. Maybe in this era of 911 its all changed and if it has, what a shame......................

PhiDeck · #3 06-11-2011, 05:01 PM

My 1960 (2nd?) Edition of Leonard Feather's "The Encyclopedia of Jazz" includes the address (but not phone number) of many of the musicians listed. Granted, some are probably offices, but many are clearly not.

Shakin-Slim · #4 06-11-2011, 06:02 PM

That's incredible. I'm really kicking myself over not introducing myself. I wish I had, I'm sure it would have been a lasting memory. Bob Cranshaw being there too, I would have loved to have met him. His playing on the Sidewinder is amazing. I think I saw Steve Jordan amongst them too, and I heard he's playing with Sonny.