Even Sonny Rollins understands the great digital media convergence.
On Jan. 23rd, the first episode of the Sonny Rollins video podcast kicked off on his official website. The legendary tenor saxophonist will post an episode on his Web site (and YouTube) on the 23rd of each month, through December. The HTML code for each podcast is available on Rollins’ Web site-bloggers and Web sites are encouraged to post the videos on their sites.
“These Podcasts are essentially an ongoing documentary film that will unfold over the next year, chapter by chapter,” reports veteran jazz journalist Bret Primack, who came up with the idea for the series and produced it. “With the advent of web video, which offers free global distribution, we are introducing Sonny Rollins, the most important musician in jazz, to new audiences all over the planet by using state-of-the-art technology.”
The podcasts are also available through an iTunes subscription, and on Jan. 23, 2008, following the conclusion of the series, all 12 episodes will be released on DVD and sold through Rollins’ Web site. Each episode will tell a portion of Sonny’s life through interviews with band members, friends, fans, family and the man himself. Also, many podcasts will include archival footage from current and classic concerts.
Born Theodore Walter Rollins in New York City in 1930, “Sonny” started as a pianist, moving to alto sax before finally settling as a tenor saxophonist. Before he turned 20, he had already played with John Coltrane. Though his most revered classics were released in the 1950s, after two extended sabbaticals, Rollins played steadily throughout the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s. He still tours and records studio albums, and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement in 2004.
Visit http://www.sonnyrollins.com/ to view the podcasts.
Originally Published