SONNY ROLLINS.St. Thomas

[ShaunSchweglerr]

Tom really does make most of this song. It's something that I think should be respected more for the fact that it was one of the biggest hits of the 50s rather than the fact that it was on Grand Theft Auto. Love this song. I'm a Saxophonist and I must say that Saxophone Colossus has some of my favourite tunes. Indeed an 'anthem' of the empire NYC jazz. Gotta love the works of Rollins and Watkins. - Two genius minds with two perfect instruments.

[botvinnik64]

Max Roach is The Shit!

[packers56789]

Max Roach quotes the drum intro to "Four" at 3:11 and again at 3:45.

[zachisaniceperson]

sonny got honored at the kennedy center yesterday. youre awesome sonny!!

[RhythmicJazzMen1]

one of my favourite jazz songs

[MrTherockerman1]

6 people are son´s of bitches

[wormsrock]

Max Roach... jeez, Max Roach...

[Elloit2345]

6 people suck Justin Bieber's dick

[Suprkit]

Just saw him play tonight at the Monterey Jazz Festival! AMAZING is the only way to describe it. It was my first time there and I had a blast. Thank you Mr. Rollins(& crew) for playing like you always do, with passion.

[MrBerenstain]

Max Roach KILLS IT!

[saxycompman]

0:56

[mendocinoplayboy]

hahahaha!! yeah tootie

[Fantasticifaction]

better done with Tootie behind the drums, but this'll do

[stevetadworkz]

@Fantasticifaction Interesting. I hadn't heard their version until moments ago. But now, I must agree. Tootie's playing has a looser feel...

[stevetadworkz]

A timeless classic. I love to listen to Max the Machine on this one. Precision, inventiveness, sonority and personality to spare!

[saxbari]

4 measures and 1 quarter beat before he comes in - he burps.

[steve13254]

@saxbari make sure to put it in the transcription

[izabajigga]

Playing this for my High school jazz program, the drum part is so fun!

[IdoSkillz96]

@izabajigga i could imagine. the piano part is really easy to play, so you can go wild on your solo :D

[popocabeater97]

@izabajigga hey same i am to and im ganna have to do the drum part which is goin to be great!! :D

[HonoreGepluimd]

I guess that The Skatalites ( Musical Communion) have listened very carefully to this song. They play it slower though but Sonny Rollins' version is way better!

cheers, Honoré

[filmingpizza]

hey cool were learning this song at the tuscon jazz institute

nice job with the video : )

[distortionpf]

watched the 6th grade jazz band at my school play this song a few weeks ago. Great song.

[Messi355]

Thanks to GTA 4 I really got in to old time Jazz.

[Messi355]

Thanks to GTA 4 I really got in to old time Jazz.

[spadge1able]

what a great video posting.good flow.top draw.

[VAGStrokeGouryella]

great.

[storfiskarn52]

Heyy I like this song! xD

[deidaramaster11]

the best song of gta 4 lol

[JeremySheer]

@deidaramaster11 I KNEW you would say something like this....I first heard this when i was 4

[theinvisiblelight]

Seems to me like every drummer has that 2 or four bar period of "Who's he pointing at?...oh wait he's pointing at me! *solo* "

[DrSquidley]

@theinvisiblelight i hate when that happens, i play in a band, but its more in rock format, and ill always nod my head or make a little signal when its time for the lead guitarist to solo, and hell just look at me and be like "what?"and then ill have to verbally tell him "play a solo!" and hell be like ohhhhhhh, but hes good as hell so it doesnt really matter haha

[ZMatrix]

Spent the past two weeks transcribing this solo, only to find out I'm actually PLAYING it next semester. Hott damn!

[ffyfan15]

roach is a beast ass.

[postatility]

I have always loved how Max(at 3:03) leaves the cute little island rhythm behind and starts to BASH!!!!!!!

[BasementBeginnings]

@postatility Yes, I've noticed. Lol at "cute little island theme". XD

[sparkinup33]

sonny rollins playing is the most rythymically impeccable i think i've ever heard from a horn player its incredible!

[ckeeton1989]

Man, Max Roach kills it in this song! That ol' boy could drum!

[tbonetpr]

@davedadrumma Grrr, I hate my fingers. Yes, that was an embarrassing typo!

[tbonetpr]

Belated Happy 80th birthday to Theodore "Sonny" Walter Robbins! You are the Saxophone Colossus!

[davedadrumma]

@tbonetpr Rollins not Robbins right?

[ffyfan15]

@davedadrumma way to be an asshole and just call him out.

so unnecessary.

[schweitzito]

On the occasion of Sonny Rollins' 80th birthday, two days late. Try any of his albums from the '50s or '60s. Or his '80s electric masterpiece, "G-Man". Or the film "Saxophone Colossus." Or the next time he plays within a few hours of where you live.

[atirisdes]

shallow

[piswasser1]

this is a very classy tune

i like it

[ZappaFan101]

Along with parker, this dude is my favorite sax player

[tbinzin9]

@ZappaFan101 

[hakanefe43]

time is very quick past man... :(

[machinsky108]

the beginning of the solo is crazy

[tbinzin9]

@machinsky108 That's what I said too! I just recently replayed the first lick of his solo on alto though. He's the King of Tenor.

[friesplease732]

sonny rollins is awsome

[alanheath]

I really like the intro...

[curlys8up]

SONNY!!!

[titanicpiano14]

Check out my jam on Doxy!!

[rollituplightitup85]

smoother than a baby's ass

[piswasser1]

@rollituplightitup85  I bet she has great tits

[piccinini02]

i'm not a drummer, but max roach's playin makes me wanna become one

[leandim]

Max Roach ! World's best drummer ever !

[beeshor1]

One of the all-time greatest jazz standards. It can always be counted on to get people out of their seats and tapping their feet. I'm head-bopping as I type this!

[IlOvEyOuMeHdI]

XD gtaiv JNR radio XD

[DjRoykoz]

@IlOvEyOuMeHdI this song is so awesome, i love Jazz now thanks 2 GTA, JNR :D

[stobbart1]

@IlOvEyOuMeHdI and saxophoneman

[m2tt7]

@IlOvEyOuMeHdI  and , what is so funny ? :)

[thefinnman92]

i can play this song in three different octaves on my trombone. this is a great song!!!! i love to improvise over that walking bass line.

[figdamaris]

show off  lol

[ILOVETODANCELOL]

Awesome, would fav again.

[doublebass1943]

I have to study this on my guitar for Big Band. Arranged by Mike Lewis. It's not so simple as it sounds. Many breaks and guitar-riffs. But very nice to play.

Jelle

[GoodGawd]

This is great!

[RawwrBag]

Man I love this chart. Interesting but not too tricky to solo over and it's a fun challenge taking it uptempo.

Also, just realized that it plays on the jazz station is GTA IV...

[AquafreshContest]

always cheers me up :)

[alfredo11]

The two note motif say it all. His masterful rendering of the two notes into something more, is a feat in itself. That part can even compete against the most complex improvised line in jazz. Amazing. This is real music. Thank you for posting this.

[stones0731]

the symmetrical key is what it means to do.

[ricasa2005]

This song is awesome. Thanks for sharing !!!!Thank you very much !!!!! A masterpiece .

[saxysai]

such a classic. I love it.

[theaphextwinnn]

omg i have been fucking searching for this song forever YES!

[Rogogock]

the musik play in gta 4 in the internet cafe

[JoeJuve2k7]

i fuckin love JNR

[benva312]

he just has such a mellow tone. beautiful.

[getlow94]

i will learn to play saxophone someday just to play this song

[p0ezi]

The theme is easy, i can tell you. Although hes solo might be very difficult.

[lalunadebarcelona]

Sonny Rollins is GOD

[MetalforLife22]

I love playing this song while running people over in GTA4 =) Try it it's hillarious.

[milessml]

I like all different kinds of stuff. Yeah sonny!

[adrisot22]

Yeah this version is the best!

[tullingiskogen]

Anyone know how to learn what he is playing on the drums?

[dubya13207]

what do you mean? how to learn the groove?

[tullingiskogen]

yes, thats what i meant

[dubya13207]

constant hi hat 2 and 4

low tom (not floor i think) on 1

high tom &2, &3, and 4

when you get the rim in there, it's just &1 and 2. sticking would just alternate starting with the right hand on the low tom

i've heard there's light kicks on all beats too, slightly more on 2 with the tom

this is all second hand though.....but it seems right to me

as for *how* to learn it....slow and steady wins the race

[tyderyon20]

hes keepig time on the high hat on 2 and 4. other than that just syncopating some licks its pretty simple.

[Rhudolf]

i love this version!! it´s so beatufil...

[xDxTxCxPwnage]

amazing! i got the transcription of this song, I love to Play the 1st Solo!

[gimbi03]

thx for uploading the song from the cd !!