Sonny Rollins kicks off 42nd Barcelona Jazz Festival

The famous saxophonist Sony Rollins will kick off the 42nd edition of the Barcelona Jazz Festival tomorrow. The musician is perfoming at the Auditori de Barcelona as part of his 80th Birthday tour.

CNA / M. Amengual

November 3, 2010 12:17 AM

Barcelona (ACN).- Saxophonist Sony Rollins will inaugurate the 42nd edition of the Barcelona Jazz Festival tomorrow. He is performing at the Auditori de Barcelona for his 80th Birthday Tour. It will be his only performance in the Spanish state. Rollins will be awarded with the festival’s gold medal. The musician said that without music, he would have no concept of life and that he feels “privileged” not only to be able to play, but to “better understand life”. Rollins will join bassist Bob Cranshaw, drummer Kobe Watkins, guitarist Peter Bernstein and percussionist Sammy Figueroa in his performance.


The living jazz legend Sony Rollins will inaugurate the 42nd edition of the Barcelona Jazz Festival for his 80th birthday tour. It will be the 6th time that Rollins will play the festival. To congratulate him, he will be awarded with the festival’s gold medal. Rollins says that he “always had good concerts” in Barcelona and hopes “this continues”.

Music has always played an important role in Sonny Rollins’ life. As a celebration of his birthday, he is kicking off an ‘80th Birthday Tour’. “This is my life, this is my whole life, this is my only life”, he said.

Admired by greats such a Miles Davis and Charlie Parker, Rollins has always considered it an “honour” to play with his idols, but also says that he deserves it. Rollins affirmed that it is “impossible” to repeat that generation, but trusts that another generation will come. “This is life, we cannot live in the past”, said Rollins.