Sonny Rollins / England, UK 1966

We are proud to present a rare release capturing two exceptional 1966 UK performances by Sonny Rollins in high-quality sound. The first is a March 1966 show at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club—where Rollins was a regular fixture during the decade—featuring a collaboration with the British jazz treasure Stan Tracey. The second is a November 1966 performance at the University of Reading, featuring a quartet with Max Roach on drums. During this period—just prior to the *Alfie* recording sessions—Rollins was in his early thirties and further evolving the highly liberated style he had adopted in 1962. It was a time of great musical adventure for him, characterized by explorations into free jazz and extended improvisation, as well as his significant foray into the European scene. In London, he frequently performed with local musicians, particularly the house band led by the renowned British pianist Stan Tracey. This rare disc compiles over 70 minutes of music from these two events, both featuring Rollins in a “one-horn quartet” setting and both benefiting from the label’s meticulous mastering for superior audio quality. The tracks include the March 4, 1966, Ronnie Scott’s performance (with Tracey, bassist Kenny Napper, and drummer Louis Hayes) and the University of Reading concert from November 1966 (part of the “Jazz Goes To College” series, featuring a special lineup of pianist Ronnie Mathews, bassist Jymie Merritt, and drummer Max Roach). These are superb performances—later acclaimed in specialist magazine reviews as epitomizing the jazz scene on the eve of John Coltrane’s passing—featuring tracks rarely heard in live sets (even from Miles Davis at Ronnie Scott’s), such as “Four” and the uncommon “Jumpin’ with Symphony Sid,” as well as a rendition of “St. Thomas” from Reading University!! Recorded Live at Ronnie Scott’s, London, England, UK, March 04, 1966 AUDIENCE Recording EX *** 43 min WE KISS IN A SHADOW JUMPIN’ WITH SYMPHONY SID FOUR Sonny Rollins – tenor saxophone Stan Tracey – piano Kenny Napper – bass Louis Hayes – drums Recorded Live in Reading, England, UK, November 06, 1966 AUDIENCE Recording VG *** 29 min ST. THOMAS WILL YOU STILL BE MINE? Sonny Rollins – tenor saxophone Ronnie Mathews – piano Jymie Merritt – bass Max Roach – drums