Jazz titan Sonny Rollins dies at 95, leaving a fearless improvisational legacy

Legendary tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins, known for his bold tone and ceaseless experimentation, has died at 95 in Woodstock, NY. A towering figure of bebop who evolved into free jazz, Rollins shaped generations of improvisers across more than 50 years, survived heroin addiction, and earned Grammys for This Is What I Do (2001) and Why Was I Born? (2006). His career included landmark albums like Saxophone Colossus and a late-life return that kept him touring into his 80s; he retired due to health issues, with his last concert in 2012 and final retirement in 2014.