Jun 01 2008
Meeting Sonny Rollins
One of the best things about the job is getting to meet all kinds of interesting people and having the chance to sit down and have a proper conversation with them… well for at least 10 to 15 minutes. There’s no other way to meet the writers, musicians, artists, architects, decision-makers and really sort of put them to the test with your questions. In a way it makes you immune to the effects of celebrity because you realise that hey, famous people are just people after all with their quirks and idiosyncrasies and good/bad camera sides!
But a couple of times a year you still do get all groupie-ish and weak-kneed at the prospect of interviewing someone truly great. This year it’s already happened twice for me… the first was interviewing Sophia Loren. She’s truly larger than life (in more ways than one…) and wonderfully statuesque and regal. If the Italians still had a queen, she would definitely be in contention for royalty.
But while it was really thrilling just to be in the same room as the legendary screen siren, it was Sonny Rollins who really made me feel both charmed and a little awed by his humility and his grace. Sonny is a Harlem born saxophone player who is 78 this year and has played with a list of jazz’s who’s who, including Coltrane, Davis, Monk, Hawkins, Powell… etc. I love jazz, but I’m not a real expert – still Sonny’s playing is particular – he is really innovative and yet manages to retain a warm, inviting tone at the same. Even though, his solos are often intellectual and “out there”, he still manages to communicate with the audience – something I heard and saw first hand when I went for his concert at the Esplanade last week.
What a pleasant surprise to find that Sonny is as expressive and forthright as his playing is. Evidence here. It was one of those rare interviews where you really feel that your questions are being heard and that the answers you are getting are really heartfelt and considered. Sonny talked about his instrument, his passion for his music, his relationship to his late jazz companions and what he hoped his legacy would be. He was very open about his youthful drug use and how he considered these to be mistakes that he had moved on from. And to top it off, when I thanked him for the interview and shook his hand, he kissed mine! Ah…. talk about old school! They don’t make them like they used to….
Joanne Leow is a producer-presenter with Channel NewsAsia. She is married with 2 young sons and spends her free time reading, writing, swimming, doing yoga and cooking up a storm.