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The Recording Academy Salutes Jazz Giants Sonny Rollins and McCoy Tyner |
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Written by Ronaldo Oregano
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Monday, 14 January 2008 |
 Sonny Rollins
Rollins had begun to make a name for himself as he recorded with Miles Davis in 1951 and Thelonious Monk in 1953. Sonny joined the Clifford Brown–Max Roach quintet in 1955, but after 1956 worked mainly as a leader. Rollins' most widely acclaimed album, Saxophone Colossus, was recorded on June 22, 1956, featuring Tommy Flanagan on piano, former Jazz Messengers bassist Doug Watkins and top-bop drummer Max Roach. This record remains a favorite and constantly appears on many 'top jazz album' lists. Rollins pioneered the trio format using just bass and drums and saxophone. Two of the first recordings using this configuration are Way Out West (Contemporary, 1957) and A Night at the Village Vanguard (Blue Note, 1957) - both highly recommended. Throughout his career, Rollins frequently returned to this format.
In 1959 however, Rollins was frustrated with what he perceived as his own musical limitations and took his famous musical sabbatical. Rollins ventured to the Williamsburg Bridge at night, deep in a rigorous practice regimen. “I wanted to work on my horn, I wanted to study more harmony, I wanted to better myself,” he told Stanley Crouch in The New Yorker, “and I wanted to get out of the environment of all that smoke and alcohol and drugs.” Upon his return to the jazz scene in 1961 he named his "comeback" album The Bridge. Throughout the '60s Rollins remained one of the most adventurous musicians around. Each album he recorded differed radically from the previous one. Rollins explored Latin rhythms on What's New, tackled the avant-garde on Our Man in Jazz, and re-examined standards on Now's the Time.
Then Rollins took another sabbatical to study yoga, meditation, and Eastern philosophies. When he returned in 1972, his bands featured electric guitar, electric bass, and usually more pop- or funk-oriented drummers. It was during this period that Rollins' notoriety for unaccompanied saxophone solos came to the forefront. Rollins has continued to tour and record and innovate ever since. He won his first performance Grammy for This Is What I Do (2000), and his second for 2005’s Without a Song (The 9/11 Concert), in the Best Jazz Instrumental Solo category (for “Why Was I Born”).
 McCoy Tyner
McCoy Tyner’s music studies began at age 13 at the Granoff School of Music, where so many Philadelphia musicians began their music education. McCoy’s first professional affiliation of note was with the Jazztet in 1959. That band was co-led by trumpeter Art Farmer and saxophonist Benny Golson. McCoy made his first recording on the Jazztet’s debut, Meet The Jazztet, in February, 1960. When John Coltrane was plotting his departure from the Miles Davis Quintet, he tried several musicians for his new band. Eventually he made the wise decision to hire McCoy Tyner, and the rest is musical history.
Along with McCoy, the other members of the famed Coltrane Quartet included drummer Elvin Jones and either bassists Jimmy Garrison or Reggie Workman. Together they made some of the most compelling music of the 20th century. Soon McCoy Tyner was an in-demand session pianist as well. His commanding presence at the piano found a home on numerous great recordings. McCoy became a virtual “house pianist” for the Blue Note label, recording with a who’s who of great jazz, including sessions with Donald Byrd, Grant Green, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Bobby Hutcherson, Elvin Jones, Hank Mobley, Lee Morgan, Wayne Shorter, Stanley Turrentine.... the list is auspicious.
In 1962 McCoy made his debut as a leader with Inception for the Impulse! label. After leaving the Coltrane quartet in 1965, McCoy found work in several different situations. Then in 1967 he cut The Real McCoy album for Blue Note, launching his career as a bandleader and occasional all-star sideman. What followed were six stellar recordings for Blue Note and performances with his own bands, ranging from trio to nonet. His recordings also included explorations with string quartet and voice. McCoy signed with the Milestone label in 1971, beginning yet another rich recording period. In the years since that time he has toured and recorded with numerous bands under his leadership, including his occasional big band, a powerful ensemble guaranteed to raise the roof. Always welcome on any bandstand, McCoy Tyner has continued to evolve one of the most original piano styles of the last 40 years.
Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. In its 50th year, The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, visit www.grammy.com . |
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 Sunday, 07 September 2008
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