Who Is Sonny Rollins – 1968 BBC 30-Minute Documentary

This priceless piece of history is the 1968 30-minute BBC documentary that follows the legendary jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins during his self-imposed hiatus from the music business and playing live clubs.

At the time Sonny Rollins was frustrated and very vocal about club conditions for all jazz musicians. He felt (for good reason) that the lifestyle that clubs promoted allowing the use of alcohol, drugs and smoking were not healthy for musicians and loud, disruptive talking was not conducive to the over all jazz atmosphere.   He wanted better for himself and his colleagues. The footage captures Rollins instead opting to play his horn on the Williamsburg Bridge and in wooded areas.   He speaks very passionately about his disapproval of seedy club conditions which happen to still be valid today for a lot of musicians.