(UK 2012) dir. Dick Fontaine 78m. Digital.
Sonny Rollins, Ornette Coleman, Roy Haynes, Jim Hall.
The extraordinary life and music of Sonny Rollins, perhaps the greatest jazz saxophonist in the world. 40 years ago young filmmaker Dick Fontaine followed Rollins up onto the Williamsburg Bridge in Manhattan during one of his legendary escapes from the perils of 'the jazz life'. Today, still resisting stereotype and compromise, and revered by a new generation of young musicians, Rollins continues his single-minded search for meaning in his music and his life. This full length version of Dick Fontaine's film combines archive footage with the explosive energy of Sonny's 80th Birthday Concert, where legendary figures Roy Haynes, Jim Hall and Ornette Coleman join him to celebrate his journey so far.