Legendary Jazz Saxophonist Sonny Rollins Dead At 95

Sonny Rollins, a legendary jazz musician who played the saxophone, died at the age of 95 at his home in Woodstock, New York, on Monday, May 25.

His family announced the news in a social media post.

"It is with deep sorrow and profound love that we announce the passing of Sonny Rollins," the post stated. "The Saxophone Colossus died this afternoon at his home in Woodstock, NY, at the age of 95."

They also included a quote from the musician: "I think when the creative person ends, he continues in the next existence. I'm a person who believes this life isn't the be-all and end-all of everything. A spiritual person doesn't feel like that."

Known as the "Saxophone Colossus," Rollins' decade spanned seven decades during which he recorded more than sixty albums. He was honored with numerous awards, including receiving the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004, as well as a National Medal of Arts in 2010, and received a Kennedy Center Honor in 2011.

"The music I play is too big to be put into any one style," he said in a 2002 interview, per TheNew York Times. "Every time I pick up the horn, I want to hear something fresh."

His last public performance was in 2012 at the Detroit Jazz Festival, and he officially stopped playing the saxophone in 2014 after being diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis.

Fans paid tribute to Rollins following his death.

"Oh dear... My heart goes out to all who loved him. Truly a giant, such a hard loss to process," one person wrote.

"Wow. We all knew this was coming; it still hurts. 'Sax Colossus' has now joined his Jazz contemporaries in Heaven," another person commented.

"Greatest tenor player EVER," a fan shared.

"A genius departs--there was nobody like him!," another fan expressed.

"My deepest condolences to his family. He was a true icon and one of my all-time favorite sax players. I was lucky enough to hear him live in Lincoln Center a number of years back," one fan said.

Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved

This story was originally published May 25, 2026 at 10:14 PM.