In late 1965, Sonny Rollins was on tour in Europe and Scandinavia, where he picked up sidemen in each country. At the Paris Jazz Festival on Thursday, November 4, he was on stage backed by French bassist Gilbert Rovere and American expatriate drummer Art Taylor, who lived in France. Also appearing at the festival were Ornette Coleman, Bill Evans with Lee Konitz, Art Blakey's New Jazz Men, Dakota Staton, the Teddy Wilson Trio and the Gerry Mulligan All-Stars. A special thanks to Carl Woideck for sending along a link to this terrific YouTube performance. Two months later, Sonny would be in New York to record his Alfie soundtrack album. By the way, the festival's terrific poster above was illustrated by the great French political cartoonist Siné.
Here's Sonny and his 48-minute set...
