Sonny Rollins -- St. Thomas

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I only heard about jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins' (1930-2026) passing early this morning when the scroll on the local news channel reported it. His classic 1956 "St. Thomas" is a song that I heard a number of times when I was a child but never knew the title or who it was played by. 

But then when I started getting into jazz during my time in Japan, I was picking up various compilations of the genre at the music stores such as Tower Records. When I put one CD into the stereo, I finally got my identification on "St. Thomas". 😁Not only do I think it's one of those pieces that can celebrate the summer months, Rollins' magnum opus can also bring light and warmth into any season (especially love the opening percussion), and as such, it has been one song that I like to put on heavy rotation when it's time for some jazz in the home. My condolences to Rollins' family, friends and many fans around the world.