Sonny Rollins Interview (page: 8 / 8) Greatest Living Jazz Soloist	Print Interview

As we look ahead in the 21st century, what concerns you most about this world we live in?

Sonny Rollins: Well you know, I studied yoga.

Get the Flash Player to see this video. I went to India back in the '60s when I was interested in yoga and studying. Did different philosophies and so on. There is a concept there that there are different ages of existence. As we go into the 21st century, we shouldn't put too much faith in how the century is going to come out, because I am going to revert to what my answer was a moment ago. You, I, individually, that is the war. That's the battle that we have. It doesn't matter what happens, in a sense, to the environment, to nations fighting each other, to tribalism, to diseases taking over. That doesn't really matter. What matters is you winning the battle with yourself.

In Indian philosophy, there are different ages of existence. You have one, and then another age, something like what people used to talk about, the Aquarian Age. Things go into different phases, and existence changes. These are things that are beyond my mind. I am a simple human being, but the principle I know is there. I can't explain everything, but the principle of us taking care of our own problems individually -- not nationwide, not how to solve the 21st century -- individually, that's to me the whole ballgame, the ball of wax. So when you say the 21st century, it's not really important. You could look at it. There are so many problems, but don't get bogged down in those. The problem is within ourselves. That's the problem.

The real place where I feel comfortable, and I think most people do feel comfortable, is in themselves, and in that sense, we don't need to worry about the 21st century. Do you understand what I mean? I don't mean turned off and don't help an old lady up off the street, I don't mean that. I just mean put it in perspective and realize that our battle is with us. Once we do that, the whole universe will be better.

One last question. How would you like to be remembered?

Get the Flash Player to see this video. Sonny Rollins: I would like to be remembered as someone who made choices and tried to make myself a better person, and who didn't listen to the crowd, and went the way that my conscience -- if you want to put it that way -- I listened to my conscience. I would like to be remembered as a person that did that. Therefore I was able to make certain changes in my personal life, and strengthen myself as a person, individual. My music and all that stuff? I don't even think about that. My thing is my personhood and trying to be a better person and fighting that fight within myself.

That's how I would like to be remembered, so that other people will say, "Sonny stopped eating pork," for instance, or he stopped doing some detrimental thing. He made that fight, and he did it, and he's better for it, so that's how I would like to be remembered.

To be remembered like that, I have got to keep fighting, which I am doing every day really. This is a constant fight, until we leave this planet and go someplace else, but the fight is constant, and it's great. It's a great opportunity that life gives us to use it and do something in a positive way.

People are also going to remember Sonny Rollins for being a great tenor saxophone player.

Sonny Rollins: Well if so, that's great, I would appreciate that.

Get the Flash Player to see this video. I've spent a lot of time practicing and working, and I've played with some great people, and they've liked me, I've liked them. So as far as my profession? Yeah, I'm not ashamed of that. I have done a lot and influenced some people, and I have some young people say, "Oh gee, I really like your playing," and "You changed my way of life" even. Some people have said that to me. So I am happy about that, but my real joy, if I could be remembered, would be to say, "Sonny was a guy that wanted to improve himself regardless of where society was at."

If I could get to that point, I would say, "Wow. I really made a difference." Probably would never happen, but you asked the question, so that is what I would like, to be remembered like that.

Thank you very much. You have been terrific. You are very generous. Thank you.

Sonny Rollins: Okay.

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