Sonny Rollins (born September 7, 1930) is an American tenor saxophonist and composer, widely regarded as one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century. Emerging in the 1950s, he became known for his powerful tone, inventive improvisations, and contributions to the hard bop genre.
Rollins's notable compositions include "St. Thomas," "Oleo," "Doxy," "Airegin," and "Tenor Madness," many of which have become jazz standards. His 1956 album Saxophone Colossus is considered a landmark recording in jazz history.