A press release just received from Jazz Promo Services, which I’m sharing for obvious reasons:

Nine Lives of Sonny Rollins

Theodore Walter Rollins, aka Sonny, turns 76 today.  To celebrate the birthday of the Saxophone Colossus, and the first anniversary of his website, nine rare video performances are posted on www.sonnyrollins.com for one week.

Featured Video Performances:

"Paul’s Pal" – Stockholm ’57 with Henry Grimes, bass; Joe Harris, drums. 7:27

"Weaver of Dreams" – Amsterdam ’59 with Henry Grimes, bass; Pete LaRoca, drums. 3:58

"52nd Street Theme" – Rome ’62 with Don Cherry, pocket trumpet; Henry Grimes, bass; Billy Higgins, drums. 5:07

"Oleo" – Copehagen ’65 with Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, bass; Alan Dawson, drums. 3:22

"Four" – Copenhagen ’68 with Kenny Drew, piano; Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, bass; Tootie Heath, drums. 4:06

"Moritat" – Tokyo ’81 with George Duke, piano; Stanley Clarke, bass; Al Foster, drums. 7:26

"Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" – Prague ’82 with Masuo, Bobby Broom, guitar; Lincoln Goines, bass; Tommy Campbell, drums. 6:26

"My One and Only Love" – Montreal ’82 with Masuo and Bobby Broom, guitar; Bob Cranshaw, bass; Jack DeJohnette, drums. 6:14

"Serenade" – Cerritos, California, April 11, 2006 with Clifton Anderson, trombone; Bobby Broom, guitar; Bob Cranshaw, bass; Kimati Dinizulu, percussion; Joe Corsello, drums. 14:04

After viewing these rare videos, visitors are invited post their birthday greetings for Sonny in his guestbook.

Nine Lives of Sonny Rollins was produced by Bret Primack, utilizing video provided by jazz video collector, Hal Miller.

[Happy birthday, Sonny. Good to see Bret Primack’s keeping busy, as well. – S.]