The Upside of Jazz

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An Interview with Sonny Rollins

This week we revisit one of Sonny Rollins's final interviews recorded in October 2025, when Joe Alterman sat down for a conversation with the Saxophone Colossus himself. Sonny Rollins passed away on May 25, 2026. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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  "There was something about jazz that pulled me." - An interview with piani…

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  "It is who I am" - An interview with guitarist Bobby Broom

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  Finding the Humor in Jazz

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  "I find my spirituality in the doing of the theater." - An interview with …

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  "Each note has a declaration" - An Interview with Trumpeter Charles Tolliv…

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  "I tend to think of music as just one thing" - An Interview with Guitarist…

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  "Communication is so key to what the music's about" - An Interview with Gu…

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  "It all feels personal to me" - An Interview with Guitarist Randy Johnston

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  Jazz Behind the Iron Curtain

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  "My favorite thing is not knowing how it's going to come out" - An Intervi…

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  Jimmy Heath on Jazz at the Intersection of Black and Jewish Communities

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  “I’m bringing that history book back” – An Interview with Bassist Ron Cart…

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  “If we take care of business, the band can fly” – An Interview with Bassis…

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  "All you have to do is find better notes" - An Interview with Guitarist Jo…

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  How Milt Gabler & Commodore Records Changed Music