Sonny Rollins Quintet – England, UK (February 11, 1986) – FM Broadcast Edition

This is a precious live document—essential for understanding Sonny Rollins in the 1980s—that vividly captures the intersection of his artistic maturity and adventurous spirit. It features high-quality audio taken from a BBC broadcast of a concert held on November 2, 1986, at the prestigious Fairfield Halls in Croydon, just outside London. During this period, Rollins had effortlessly transcended the confines of his “hard-bop giant” image, establishing a unique musical world where he freely traversed genres ranging from Stevie Wonder songs and calypso to jazz standards. He unleashes a torrential, overwhelming tenor saxophone performance across a diverse repertoire that includes signature tracks like “Don’t Stop the Carnival,” as well as “Autumn Nocturne,” “My One and Only Love,” and “Isn’t She Lovely.” He is joined by his nephew Clifton Anderson (trombone), Mark Soskin (piano), Jerome Harris (bass), and Tommy Campbell (drums). Riding the powerful groove generated by this stellar quintet, Rollins deconstructs and reconstructs melodies, weaving improvisational narratives that no one else could replicate. This era is recognized as the peak of Rollins’ live performances, and this recording stands as a vital document of that zenith. It captures a moment when the giant Sonny Rollins was continuing to evolve—a must-have performance for any fan. Live at Fairfield Halls, Croydon, England, November 2, 1986. Disc 1: 1. I’m Old Fashioned 2. Autumn Nocturne 3. Unknown. Disc 2: 1. Best Wishes 2. My One and Only Love 3. Don’t Stop the Carnival 4. Isn’t She Lovely 5. Allison 6. Tenor Madness. Sonny Rollins (ts), Clifton Anderson (tb), Mark Soskin (p), Jerome Harris (b), Tommy Campbell (dr).