Tenor Madness

Description

1956’s Tenor Madness was officially the recording that established Sonny Rollins as one of jazz’s elite tenor saxophonists and it stands alongside Saxophone Collossus as one of his masterworks. The fact that he enlists the talents of Miles Davis’then rhythm section of Red Garland (piano), Paul Chambers (bass) and Philly Joe Jones for the date certainly doesn’t hurt matters either. John Coltrane, who was also in Davis’ group at the time, is notably featured here on the legendary title track, his only recording with Rollins.Tenor Madness was the recording that, once and for all, established Rollins as one of the premier tenor saxophonists, an accolade that in retrospect, has continued through six full decades and gives an indication why as a young player, Rollins was so well liked, as his fluency, whimsical nature, and solid construct of melodies and solos gave him the title of the next Coleman Hawkins or Lester Young of mainstream jazz. 

Tenor Madness, using Miles Davis’ group – pianist Red Garland, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Philly Joe Jones, is the only recording of Rollins with John Coltrane, who was also in Davis’ group.