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The Quintessential Jazz Man.

Sonny Rollins, tenor saxophonist, is one of the jazz world's greatest improvisational artists. At the tender age of 23, he played with Miles Davis and Charlie Parker. After successfully battling a heroin addiction in the early 1950s, he joined the Clifford Brown-Max Roach quintet. He also began a critically-acclaimed solo career. Now in his sixties, he feels obligated to carry on the vision of his own mentors to today's rising stars. His latest album, "Old Flames" (Milestone), focuses on jazz standards and features Sonny backed by a brass section.

23:08

Other segments from the episode on February 2, 1994

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, February 2, 1994: Interview with Sonny Rollins; Interview with Beverly and Dereck Joubert.

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