Sonny Rollins

Sonny Rollins, 95, died on May 25, 2026. Sonny Rollins was known publicly as an American jazz musician ("Airegin", "Oleo", "Doxy"). Walter Theodore "Sonny" Rollins (New York, September 7, 1930 - Woodstock, NY, May 25th, 2026) was a retired American jazz tenor saxophonist who is widely recognized as one of the most important and influential jazz musicians. In a seven-decade career, Rollins recorded more than sixty albums as a leader. A number of his compositions, including "St. Thomas", "Oleo", "Doxy", and "Airegin", have become jazz standards. Rollins has been called "the greatest living improviser". Public biographical listings identify Rollins as an American jazz musician ("Airegin", "Oleo", "Doxy"). This public record remains centered on Rollins's work as an American jazz musician ("Airegin", "Oleo", "Doxy") and the documented milestones of that career.