Event
"St. Thomas"- DOTLO
This event has already occurred. This page is provided for reference only.
Fee:
Free.Dates & Times
Date:
Friday, February 12, 2021
Time:
2:00 PM
Duration:
1 hour
Type of Event
Performance
Virtual/Digital
Description
Down on their Luck Orchestra:
"St. Thomas"
"St. Thomas” (1956) by Sonny Rollins was first recorded in August 1955 as “Fire Down There” by Randy Weston and released in February 1956 on the “Get Happy” album. The tune started as “The Lincolnshire Poacher” but evolved into a nursery song from the Virgin Islands which Sonny Rollins’ mother sang to him as a child. It was Rollins’ 1956 release which first became popular and the song is recognized as his most recognized composition.
Sonny Rollins (Sept 7, 1930-present) grew up in Harlem when be-bop was becoming the "King" of jazz styles. His parents were from the United States Virgin Islands and greatly encouraged their children’s interest in music. After high school, he soon began playing and recording with greats including Miles Davis, the Modern Jazz Quartet, Thelonious Monk and Charlie Parker. Unfortunately, he became addicted to heroin, like many great artists, but was successfully treated with methadone and kicked the habit in 1955. While he initially thought sobriety might lessen his musical ability, this was disproved as he went on to even greater success and has been called “the greatest living improviser.”
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