Sonny Rollins is an American tenor saxophonist and composer widely regarded as one of the major figures of modern jazz. Active since the 1950s, he developed a style built on highly flexible improvisation, remarkable rhythmic control and an ability to transform simple melodic ideas into long, inventive structures, particularly within hard bop. With albums such as Saxophone Colossus, Way Out West and The Bridge, Sonny Rollins profoundly influenced the history of the tenor saxophone and generations of musicians.