Moritat (Mack The Knife) (Sonny Rollins’s version)

Sonny Rollins (tenor sax), Tommy Flanagan (piano), Doug Watkins (bass) and Max Roach (drums). From the album Saxophone Colossus (1956).

Rollins’ overflowing compositions also contributed to his success. These were themes that did not stand out for their sophistication or experimental essays, but because their harmonies were conducive to the execution of solos. Even today, many of his songs are still played in jam sessions for this reason.

Especially appreciated are his themes with Calypso rhythm. But even when he tried to compose longer pieces, the performance maintained the freshness of spontaneous improvisation. At a time when jazz was mixing with ideologies, Rollins showed that great works could still be composed by giving in to the flow of music.

Kurt Weill’s theme starts immediately and right away Rollins begins his solo with an animated disposition trying not to get too far from the melody. Sometimes he causes an explosion of notes to break the monotony. His discourse is calm, but incorporating complex phrases. Next Flanagan enters, exchanging short, quick sentences with longer ones, and continues his solo with determination. Rollins comes back to exchange four-bar solos with Roach, who doesn’t repress himself as he displays his skills. Then Roach is left to play the drums by himself for a long time. After that, Watkins appears making his solo with the double bass and finally comes the re-exposure of the theme.