Interview with jazz legend Sonny Rollins
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Photo: John Abbott
By JQ Magazine’s Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his NY Japanese Culture page here to subscribe for free alerts on newly published stories.
Grammy-winning tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins began his eighth decade of life Tuesday, and will celebrate with a headlining concert at New York’s Beacon Theatre on Sept. 10. I spoke with the man the New York Times recently called “indisputable jazz royalty” about his relationship with Japan and his inimitable philosophy of life.
What are your thoughts about turning 80?
Well, actually, I don’t think too much about it because I’m a pretty busy fellow. It just so happens that I looked at the calendar, and here I am, 80!
After the New York concert, you have three Japanese gigs in October: Sapporo, Tokyo, and Osaka. Can you describe your history with Japan?
Well, I’ve been going to Japan for many years now, I think—since 1963, maybe. And regularly, I go there…the first time I went to Japan, I was taken by the culture, and I was very much looking forward every time I would get a chance to go back. I used to spend a lot of time in these areas—temples, and examining the Zen Buddhist culture, and the various musical instruments that are indigenous to Japan. My wife and I were very fond of going to the Noh theater, and we used to go there every time we got a chance to when we were in Japan. I really love the culture; I love the Buddhist culture, and that’s old Japan.
So, that’s what I always looked for; sought out; yearned for that; when I was away from Japan. It was always, “Yeah, I wish I could get back and smell the country,” you know? The bamboo forests, the sound of the shakuhachi [Japanese flute], and the very peaceful places. The last time I was there—I was there on vacation recently—and I was at Kamakura, it’s among the places that are really so beautifully serene and peaceful. So I really enjoyed that. Of course, I’ve been to Kyoto many, many times, and Nara, and many other parts of the country.
So, I love Japan. As I said, the first time I went there, I got a feeling of great—when I got off the plane, I just felt happy for some reason. And I felt as if I was rediscovering some place that I’d been to in a previous life or something. And I still maintain those feelings about Japan today.
Was there any hesitation about going there the first time regarding American sentiments after the war? Did you have any impressions that were turned around based on the reception you received?
As you know, music is universal…jazz music is a peaceful force, and it’s received all over the world, and people in Japan are very interested in jazz music. They’re really knowledgeable about the music; they’re very interested in the people that play it, and they love it.
Read the complete interview here.
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