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Jazz Giant Sonny Rollins, “Saxophone Colossus,” Passes Away at 95

Sonny Rollins, the legendary tenor saxophonist known as "Saxophone Colossus," has died at 95. A revered sideman to bebop legends and a formidable leader, improviser, and composer, Rollins' passing was announced by his family on social media

Variety Music·May 26, 2026·via Variety Music

Jazz Giant Sonny Rollins, “Saxophone Colossus,” Passes Away at 95

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May 25, 2026 6:35pm PT

Sonny Rollins, Jazz’s ‘Saxophone Colossus,’ Dies at 95

By Chris Morris

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Chris Morris

Music Reporter

@CeeMo100

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Tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins, the “Saxophone Colossus” who was schooled by bebop’s legends as a prized sideman and became their peer as a formidable leader, improviser and composer, has died, according to a social media post from his family. No cause of death was cited; he was 95.

Sporting a burly tone, a tart sense of instrumental humor and keen melodic and harmonic ingenuity, Rollins was acknowledged as a jazz voice as groundbreaking as that of his friend and contemporary John Coltrane, with whom he unforgettably locked horns on “Tenor Madness” in 1956.