Open Sky: Sonny Rollins and His World of Improvisation

Rating:
Summary: focuses on the music
Review: For an understanding of Rollins' playing and his uniqueness as an artist I would recommend this book. Nisenson does capture the feelings that I associate with seeing/hearing Sonny Rollins perform live. As other reviewers have said below this is not a comprehensive biography but it is written with a deep appreciation of the music that is Rollins' contribution to the culture. Sonny Rollins is the greatest live performer I've ever seen and this book captures some of that spirit so for me it was a worthwhile read.

Rating:
Summary: Nice approach to writing about a living legend
Review: I am a relative newcomer to the music and career of Sonny Rollins, but I very much appreciated the tone of this book and approach taken by author Eric Nisenson. The fact that Sonny Rollins himself shared in the writing and was pleased with the outcome is testimony both to the quality of the work as well as to the importance and value of writing about living legends while they are just that. This is not a novel, as the first reviewer indicates, but a non-fictional account of the ongoing life and career of a true jazz giant.

Rating:
Summary: Nice approach to writing about a living legend
Review: I am a relative newcomer to the music and career of Sonny Rollins, but I very much appreciated the tone of this book and approach taken by author Eric Nisenson. The fact that Sonny Rollins himself shared in the writing and was pleased with the outcome is testimony both to the quality of the work as well as to the importance and value of writing about living legends while they are just that. This is not a novel, as the first reviewer indicates, but a non-fictional account of the ongoing life and career of a true jazz giant.

Rating:
Summary: Insightful analysis of artists work
Review: The first test to me on reading about an artist is whether the book is a spur to sending the reader back to the works. This book passes that test and I'm revisiting Mr Rollins' legacy especially that on the RCA Collected Set and Live at the Village Vanguard with Wilbur Ware, Elvin Jones et al. Those of you familiar with HEAR ME TALKIN' TO YOU will appreciate the insights gained from the musicians' own thoughts and feelings not to mention the appeal of the patois. OPEN SKY is quite valuable in that Mr ROLLINS makes quite a contribution. The author adds to the appeal by going over the recorded legacy of Mr Rollins. We don't only need great musicians, they need great listeners.
There is also many added pleasures to this fine read, including thoughts about health, attitude, race, as well as the added pleasure of Mr Rollins' involvement with some of our greatest artists including COLEMAN HAWKINS and JOHN COLTRANE. For lovers of improvised music (jazz) I would think this is an essential purchase.