(4/18/16)
Hilton Als for Pitchfork –
Meeting some people can feel like entering a fairytale, and interviewing the 85-year-old Sonny Rollins recently had that quality, beginning with the woods. Rollins has lived in upstate New York, for over 15 years now—the move was precipitated by 9/11—and trees heavy with early spring leaves line the front of his house, which is secluded.
Outside, one is aware of sound—bird calls, rainwater dripping off the roof—because that has been Rollins’ job for over 60 years now: to make others aware of what he hears, and what the world gives, sonically.