Sonny Rollins Tickets

From the beginning to the end I have never seen such an energetic and entertaining performance.

Average performance, concert felt short. No encore.

Last Thursday Sonny Rollins woke the dead at Royce Hall on the UCLA campus. As he walked on stage with his wild white afro and white rimmed sunglasses, he proceeded to crack the atmosphere by blowing his horn, and blowing it hard. Kobie Watkins returned the favor by morphing into his drum kit, becoming one incredible drumming machine, only to be joined by Sammy Figueroa on congas, creating a spirited blending of their percussive beats. Sonny challenged all personnel to solos that included Peter Bernstein on some amazing guitar riffs, mirroring and interpreting exactly what Sonny was saying. Bob Cranshaw followed suit, providing the heartbeat for this incredible pure jazz lovefest, on his stand-up electric bass. Sonny took all the personnel to task and made them successfully walk the plank on their solos and took us all along for the ride on the trip back to the composition. At the end, Sonny proclaimed that he tried hard to please, and told us that trying is something we should all do. Not only did Sonny and the band try, they wildly succeeded in setting the place on fire.

What a night. First, Royce Hall is an incredible venue - the amazing architecture and craftsmanship, the beautiful grounds and buildings, and the incredible nostalgia and history of the great artistic performers who have graced it's halls since 1929 just make this an experience that won't be forgotten. Second, Sonny Rollins was superb! What an honor to hear, in-person, one of the last 'founding fathers' of a modern jazz era. Although his body showed signs of age, his sound, enthusiasm, and creative spark seemed immortal. The band Sonny has with him are all tip-top perfermers in their own right; worthy of their own headline gigs. However, they were humbly content to just do their thing, let Sonny take the lead, and thereby just enhanced the entire show. What an amazing team. Third, the audience in attendance made it an even better show. It seemed everyone there definitely knewSonny, and the crowd generously, and gratefully, gave him the props and respect he so rightfully deserved. Overall, this will be one of the top performances of my life!

It was a great performance by Sonny Rollins backed up by an outstanding band.

This concert was great. The set was awesome and regardless of Sonny's age, he was full of energy that reflected in the crowd.

Sonny Rollins at Royce Hall was beyond incredible. He shuffled onto the stage looking like he would have a hard time standing for 90 minutes because of his 81 years. But from the first note he blew, it was clear that he was100% in control of all his talents. He moved, he swayed, and most importantly he made music come out of his instrument that was as strong and unique as could be desired. With his 4 member band, they were in sync and just made every piece a memorable standout. The only thing was when he said good night, he meant it, and the lights went on immediately. It apparently would have been too much to ask him to walk off the stage and then walk back on. But what we heard showed why he is described as the last of the true Jazz giants.

sonny rollins last appearance in L A was about a year ago at disney hall. he's made some changes in his band since then adding a new guitarist and his longtime bassist bob cranshaw has switched from electric to acoustic bass. what hasn't changed is sonny's fierce playing which at 81 is sounding as good as it ever has. like his friend ornette coleman(who opened last year's ucla season) he seems to be getting better with age. He and his stellar band ripped through a ninety minute set that included hard driving post bop, funk, avant garde and calypso closing with the classic "don't stop the carnival." if you ever get a chance to see sonny in concert do it. he is truly one of the towering figures in jazz music.

Sonny is the greatest living Saxophonist and master of thematic Improvisation. His solos and inspiration deepen with time. He is more subtle and profound then every. His sound is spectacular. It doesn't get any better! A virile demonstration of circular breathing occurred early in the set. The band played cohesively as a unit with spectacular solos by all. The choice of tunes remains ecclectically sonny. He is a living legend. One (or perhaps the only) remaining performer who was a contemporary of Parker, Trane, Mingus, Miles, Monk, Roach, etc. Later in the set, perhaps jet lag or a little fatigue set in. While brilliant by any standard, the later tunes didn't have the escape velocity of the first. Regardless it was as expected brilliant from start to finish. LA loves you Sonny!

a master and a legend. a privilege and an honor to be in the audience!