# @bmi on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DYz0PPFEcfL
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/66100825-bmi-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/9c519e750f.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-05-26T17:05:02.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Broadcast Music Inc. (@bmi) — https://gondola.cc/bmi

## Caption

We were truly saddened to learn of the passing of legendary jazz composer, bandleader and saxophonist Sonny Rollins, who died Sunday at the age of 95. An incalculably influential figure in the jazz world, Rollins earned a storied reputation for his prowess on the tenor saxophone and was often cited as being “the greatest living improviser.” 

Born in Harlem in 1930, Rollins started his career upon completing high school, lending his burgeoning talents to recordings by artists like Babs Gonzales, J.J. Johnson, and Budd Powell. By the 1950’s, he was recording with formidable players like Miles Davis, Charlie Parker and Thelonious Monk. By the mid-50’s, Sonny Rollins was releasing albums of his own, including 1956’s landmark LP, Saxophone Colossus, which featured one of his best-known compositions, the Calypso-informed “St. Thomas.” By the late ’50s, Rollins was continuing to innovate, breaking new ground in the avant-garde sub-genre of free jazz. After a short sabbatical, Sonny Rollins returned with one of his most successful albums, The Bridge, in 1962. While his career would continue to evolve over the next several decades, Rollins would continue to write, record, and perform. At the time of his death, his music had appeared on nearly 100 studio albums. 

Sonny Rollins’ contributions to music cannot be overstated, and he will be tremendously miss by his friends, fans and family at BMI. #BMIJazz

Read the full article by visiting BMI.com

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 0
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 10

## Tags

bmijazz

---
Copyright (c) Gondola