Sonny Side Up – Pt. 2

Four is a tune from Sonny Rollins’ 1968 concert in Denmark. Its authorship is traditionally attributed to Miles Davis who first recorded it in 1954, but any number of sources say Four was actually composed by saxophonist Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson. It’s still a matter of debate in jazz circles. Whoever deserves the credit, it has become a jazz standard recorded by a countless number of musicians throughout the years. (Above) is Sonny’s rendition, with NHOP on bass, Kenny Drew at the piano, and Tootie Heath playing drums. Rollins sets the scene with an unaccompanied introduction in which he does not ‘quote’ every song he ever heard … it only seems that way. My One and Only Love (below) is a popular song from 1953. Notable renditions by Frank Sinatra (1953), and later by John Coltrane with Johnny Hartman (1963), have made it part of the musical repertoire of jazz standards. This recording from the Montreal Jazz Festival in 1982 marks one of Sonny’s rare performances with the recently departed (10/2025) legendary drummer Jack DeJohnette. Also featured is Bob Cranshaw (b), Bobby Broom (g), and Yoshiaki Masuo (g). Listen for a killer sax solo by Sonny Rollins at the end!