A breathtaking performance by one of the greatest saxophonists of all time.
Pure, unbridled creativity that stays with you long after the final note fades.
There are moments in jazz history that feel like they were plucked straight from the heavens, and Sonny Rollins’ performance at Jazz Middelheim 1973 is undoubtedly one of them. As we dug through our archives, we unearthed this gem from a Tienerklanken episode at BRT - a masterclass in improvisation, creativity, and sheer brilliance from one of the greatest saxophonists of all time.
Rollins took the stage with a remarkably young band: Yoshiaki Masuo on guitar, Walter Davis Jr. on piano, Bob Cranshaw on bass, and David Lee Jr. on drums. Together, they delivered a set that was both daring and deeply rooted in the jazz tradition. What makes this performance even more special is the rarity of hearing Rollins on the soprano saxophone, an instrument he seldom played. In the opening piece, Sais, he wields the soprano with a fluidity and inventiveness that leaves you hanging on every note.
As the set transitions into Love Letters, Rollins returns to his trusted tenor saxophone, delivering a performance that is both soulful and playful. Both songs feature extended codas where Rollins truly freewheels—stretching out phrases, spinning long melodic lines, and weaving in fragments of other tunes like a musical quiz. In Sais, you can clearly hear echoes of Moanin’, while Love Letters surprises with a cheeky nod to a folk melody. It’s a testament to Rollins’ wit and his ability to keep listeners on their toes.
This same set was later performed at the Newport Jazz Festival that year, and luckily for us, it was captured on an album. But there’s something uniquely magical about knowing this moment also belongs to Jazz Middelheim’s storied history.
Sonny Rollins returned to Jazz Middelheim once more in 1977, sharing the bill with the great Pharoah Sanders. But this 1973 performance remains a standout—a snapshot of a genius at work, surrounded by a band that matched his energy and vision. It’s a reminder of why we keep coming back to jazz: for those moments of pure, unbridled creativity that stay with you long after the final note fades.
