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The gold standard for arts documentaries, from 1975 to the present day.

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Arena: Sonny Rollins: Beyond the Notes

Music: Jazz & Blues: Jazz

Sonny Rollins: Beyond the Notes

17/02/2012

BBC Four - Arena, Sonny Rollins: Beyond the Notes

Documentary about the saxophonist Sonny Rollins, built around his 80th birthday concert.

Documentary about the great saxophonist Sonny Rollins, built around his 80th birthday concert, where he is joined by the likes of Roy Haynes, Jim Hall and Ornette Coleman.

2011 was the 82nd year in the extraordinary life of arguably the greatest saxophone player in the world, Sonny Rollins. Four decades ago, as a young filmmaker and aspiring musician, Dick Fontaine followed Rollins up onto the Williamsburg Bridge in Manhattan during one of his legendary escapes from the perils of 'the jazz life'. Today, still resisting stereotype and compromise, and revered by a new generation of young musicians, Rollins continues his single-minded search for meaning in his music and his life. Dick Fontaine's film is built around the explosive energy of Sonny's 80th Birthday Concert, where legendary figures Roy Haynes, Jim Hall and Ornette Coleman join him to celebrate his journey so far, his music and its future for a new generation.

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