SONNY ROLLINS

Road Shows, Vol. 2

[Doxy/Emarcy]

Without a doubt the most buzzed-about jazz concert of 2010 in New York City was Sonny Rollins’ 80th birthday celebration, held last September at the Beacon Theatre. Road Shows, Vol. 2 offers four selections from that gig—only a fraction of it, unfortunately—and tosses in a couple more from a Tokyo show. Rollins’ chops have yet to diminish one iota, as he remains an imaginative player whose gift for melody and love of a good surprise is unparalleled. Rollins blows solo at the beginning of Irving Berlin’s “They Say It’s Wonderful” (from the Japanese show), then reminds us why he has, for a half century, been considered one of jazz’s most effective leaders. The New York material is highlighted by fellow octogenarian Ornette Coleman’s surprise 22-minute walk-on for the classic “Sonnymoon for Two,” which brought the house down at the Beacon and does again here. –Jeff Tamarkin