St. Thomas

Sonny Rollins (tenor sax), Tommy Flanagan (piano), Doug Watkins (bass) and Max Roach (drums). From the album Saxophone Colossus (1956).

Of the albums that Rollins recorded between 1954 and 1958, this is the best. This recording is essential for authentic jazz fans: it has excellent performances, is historically relevant and quite accessible for those who are not jazz fanatics. It was recorded in Rudy Van Gelder’s studio, received excellent reviews and made Rollins an important musician.

These five themes enclose Rollins’ skill to be creative and accessible in his solos. In them he never overdo it, but keeps the listener trying to guess what will come next while maintaining the beauty of the melody. He’s playful, but he keeps his balance at all times. In addition, he is supported by three musicians with indisputable good taste who complement each other perfectly with their leader.

The introduction is made by Roach at the rhythm of calypso and then Rollins plays the theme. He begins his solo with very short sentences that he then extends. You can tell he’s having a good time and he’s masterfully linking the phrases together. Maybe he remembers his mother when she sang him this song. Then Roach is left alone with his drums, controlling the instrument well and little by little he cheers up using all its elements. Rollins comes back unstoppable with force to stop a train. Then Flanagan intervenes with a calmer, but more coherent discourse. At last Rollins realizes the re-exposure of the theme.