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The I Index

The Notebooks of Sonny Rollins

Bottom of the pile

19

/100

I Index Overall Rating

Readers

21/100

Critics

17/100

Scholars

N/A

Author:

Sonny Rollins, Sam V. H. Reese

Publisher:

New York Review Books

Date:

April 16, 2024

A selection of writings on a wide variety of topics – everything from technique, music theory, and daily routine to spirituality and systemic racism – from the personal journals of Sonny Rollins.

What The Reviewers Say

Dwight Garner,
The New York Times Book Review
Alas, Reese does not explain his editing process — how he winnowed six boxes of material down to a 152-page book that still contains a lot of filler and close-to-meaningless verbiage.
George Grella,
The Brooklyn Rail
The notebooks have many vital details, but it’s an open question whether they will reveal much to the reader. This is because they are details of saxophone playing that will be familiar to anyone intimate with the instrument but will likely be baffling to others.
Dr. Dave Szatmary,
Library Journal
Illuminating diary entries by a jazz legend; highly recommended reading for fans, musicians, and general audiences..
Donna Seaman,
Booklist
Rollins’ thoughtful notebooks chart the discipline and evolution of a deeply spiritual and enduring artist..