Edited by Sam V.H. Reese
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-notebooks-of-sonny-rollins-sonny-rollins/1143484227
In the early 1950s, Sonny Rollins began to keep notebooks of his daily musings concerning his music, health, jazz, the saxophone, other musicians, society, religion, etc. This collection of thoughts was taken from 6 boxes of materials donated to the New York Public Library by Sonny and offers a deeply personal look into the mind of one of the greatest improvisers in music history. This is not a book in a traditional sense. Rather, a compilation of thoughts and reminders to himself that date between 1959-2010 presented in four sections: 1959-1961; 1961-1963; 1963-1973; and 1979-2010. It offers a different perspective of this artist from the previous biographies of him—Saxophone Colossus, Sonny Rollins: The Man and his Music, and Sonny Rollins. Sonny, now 94, remains a living testament to the ideal of an artist who never tires of learning and searching for greater truths in life. This book will cement that picture and offer inspiration. Here are just a few of the many quotable concepts of Sonny Rollins:
On Jazz Performance: “The instantaneous creation of music–an unbroken link from thought to thing–immediately–at once–intelligently–but with emotion.”
“In order to bring such inspiration [music] to people I must not be concerned with applause by the audience…..I should not be pleased or despondent over a performance and/or solo–always rather directing my attention to the SOUND of the music.”
On Saxophone: “The bottom teeth should not ‘jut’ out beyond their position when together and you must keep them always in proper position.”
“The sax can achieve any color within the orchestra.”
“The very act of playing into your horn, with increased breathing required, brings to every saxophonist an extra measure of well-being, energy, and vitality, even though the player might not realize it.”
On Practicing: “Don’t deviate from one idea to another while practicing–in other words, when you hit upon something that needs doing and you are receptive to doing this, stick on that.”
General Thoughts: “Knowledge has never let us down.”
“No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.”