Recorded between February 16, 1956 and May 9, 1966. Includes liner notes by Peter Keepnews. It seems amazing, really, given the casualty rate among the first wave of bop musicians, but Sonny Rollins has actually had a jazz career that stretches over a half-century and he is still active and recording in the early part of the 21st century. It hasn't been a haphazard career, either. While Rollins hasn't been as openly innovative and exploratory as players like John Coltrane, he was a definite influence on Trane as well as every other bop and post-bop sax player to come on the scene. This varied little set makes a nice introductory primer to Rollins' peak years, drawing on sides he cut for the Blue Note, Prestige, Riverside and Contemporary imprints between 1956 and 1966, sessions that included work with Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Stitt, Max Roach, Clifford Brown, Elvin Jones, Jimmy Garrison, Roy Haynes, the Modern Jazz Quartet and many others. It isn't exhaustive, and for Rollins fans it won't be even close to nearly enough, but it makes a fine starter kit to one of the finest tenor sax players in the history of jazz. ~ Steve Leggett All tracks have been digitally remastered. This is part of Verve's "Finest Hour" series. Connie Kay, Frankie Dunlop (drums). Producers include: Leonard Feather, Norman Granz, Bob Shad, Bob Thiele. Compilation producer: Ken Druker. Personnel: Sonny Rollins (tenor saxophone); Dizzy Gillespie (vocals, trumpet); Kenny Burrell (guitar); Phil Woods (alto saxophone); Bob Ashton, Oliver Nelson, Sonny Stitt (tenor saxophone); Danny Bank (baritone saxophone); Clark Terry, Clifford Brown , Reunald Jones, Ernie Royal (trumpet); Nat Adderley (cornet); Frank Rehak, J.J. Johnson , Jimmy Cleveland, Billy Byers (trombone); Don Butterfield (tuba); Dick Katz, John Richard Lewis, Ray Bryant, Richie Powell, Roger Kellaway (piano); Connie Kay, Elvin Jones, Max Roach, Mickey Roker, Roy Haynes, Frankie Dunlop, Specs Wright, Charlie Persip (drums). Liner Note Author: Peter Keepnews. Recording information: Beltone Studios, New York, NY (02/16/1956-05/09/1966); Capitol Studios, New York, NY (02/16/1956-05/09/1966); Metropolitan Studios, New York, NY (02/16/1956-05/09/1966); Music Inn, Lenox, MA (02/16/1956-05/09/1966); Nola Recording Studio, New York, NY (02/16/1956-05/09/1966); Van Gelder Studios, Englewood Cliffs, NJ (02/16/1956-05/09/1966). Arrangers: Ernie Wilkins; Oliver Nelson. Personnel includes: Sonny Rollins (tenor saxophone); Dizzy Gillespie (vocals, trumpet); Oliver Nelson (arranger, conductor, tenor saxophone); Phil Woods (alto saxophone); Bob Ashton, Sonny Stitt (tenor saxophone); Danny Bank (baritone saxophone, trombone); Clark Terry, Ernie Royal, Reunald Jones (trumpet); Nat Adderley (cornet); Billy Byers, Jimmy Cleveland, Frank Rehak (trombone); Ray Bryant, Dick Katz, John Lewis, Roger Kellaway, Richie Powell (piano); Rene Thomas, Kenny Burrell (guitar); Walter Booker, Henry Grimes, Tommy Bryant, Jimmy Garrison, Percy Heath, Walter Booker, George Morrow (bass); Mickey Roker, Roy Haynes, Charli Persip, Specs Wright, Elvin Jones,