Happy B-day to Sonny Rollins

To celebrate the still-active saxman's 76th birthday, his website has a video library of various performances going back to the 50's and stretching right up to this year. Interesting to see not just his style change but also his outfits and hair-do's (especially like the bald look from '65). Also note a baby-faced Henry Grimes in the early clips- he'd later go on to play with Albert Ayler and then disappear from the music scene for decades, recently resurfacing on the gigging scene. Also love the joyous version of "Mack the Knife" from '81 and the gorgeous version of "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" (where he sneaks in a bunch of childhood themes) from '82.

Rollins did a really nice free show at Lincoln Center last month (well documented by the New York Times). The guy's still got it, long notes and all, plus he's got a new CD out now, which you can buy as MP3's from his website for a mere 10 dollars.