Legendary jazz musician Sonny Rollins died Monday in his Woodstock, New York, residence at the age of 95.
Rollins’ publicist, Terri Hinte, confirmed his passing in a statement, but did not disclose the star’s specific cause of death, according to The New York Times. She told The Associated Press (AP) the musician had become mostly bound to his home over the past two years due to multiple physical issues. The revered saxophonist was a cultural icon who defined the bebop era alongside John Coltrane and Charlie Parker.
Using his saxophone to thrill audiences across the globe, Rollins crafted music for seven decades and produced an an astounding collection of more than 60 albums, according to TMZ. The talented star earned three Grammy Awards, a Kennedy Center nod and the Julliard School’s Honorary Doctor of Music over the course of his long career in the world of entertainment.
CHICAGO – AUGUST 28: Jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins performs during the 30th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival at Millennium Park’s Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago, Illinois on August 28, 2008. (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Rollins’ most influential record was arguably his 1956 record, “Saxophone Colossus.” His two other stand-out albums were “Way Out West” in 1957 and the 1962 release of “The Bridge.”
The star musician was honored twice by former President Barack Obama, first at the White House in 2011 when Obama presented him with the National Medal of Arts. Obama welcomed Rollins back to the White House that same year to celebrate him as a Kennedy Center Honoree.
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 22: Sonny Rollins performs at The Jazz Foundation of America Presents the 14th Annual ‘A Great Night in Harlem’ Gala Concert to Benefit Their Jazz Musicians Emergency Fund Saving Jazz, Blues and R & B….One Musician at a Time at The Apollo Theater on October 22, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for The Jazz Foundation of America)
Rollins was hailed for his creative approach to the tenor sax. He also continued to push himself to higher levels and challenge himself to perfect his craft. “I don’t consider myself a musician that has learned as much as I want to learn,” he said to the AP in 2007.
The talented musician was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis before giving his final performace in 2012, according to The New York Times.
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 22: Danny Glover and Sonny Rollins speaks at The Jazz Foundation of America Presents the 14th Annual ‘A Great Night in Harlem’ Gala Concert to Benefit Their Jazz Musicians Emergency Fund Saving Jazz, Blues and R & B….One Musician at a Time at The Apollo Theater on October 22, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for The Jazz Foundation of America)
He never formally said he was retiring, but stopped playing altogether, even at home, in 2014.