“Shadrack” – Sonny Rollins Quartet (1951)

Sonny Rollins at age 21 in his second session for Prestige as a leader. He had only been playing tenor sax for about five years.

After getting his start recording with Babs Gonzales, J.J. Johnson, and Bud Powell in 1949, Rollins spent most of 1950 in Riker’s Island on a robbery charge. In 1951, he recorded extensively with Miles Davis – and here at the end of the year, recorded eight tunes with his own quartet.

The tune alternately showcases the talents of Rollins and pianist Kenny Drew, as Art Blakey and Percy Heath keep a lower profile in the rhythm section.

Recorded in Apex Studios, NYC on December 17, 1951.
Released as Prestige 780.

Credits:
Sonny Rollins, tenor sax
Kenny Drew, piano
Percy Heath, bass
Art Blakey, drums