6829. Sonny Rollins - I Wish I Knew

- Wednesday, May 27, 2026

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71hVuLIorfL._SX522_.jpg

From: Here's to the People; Year: 1991; Genre: Cool Jazz/Jazz Fusion

Most into jazz and associated genres are most likely aware of the passing of jazz giant Sonny Rollins a couple of days ago. It is just so mind-blowing to think of all the music, musicians, and history he experienced in his 95 years on this Earth, let alone all of the decades he was active. To think, that he took a large part in and saw all the new forms of jazz and the people he played with. It is a rarity to see an active musician touring for so many years, especially in jazz live so long. He definitely will be missed and then some.

Anyway, I had a lot of music from many eras to choose from for this song pick. My thoughts went to the '60s or '70s, but then I have noticed that jazz, overall, at least here in the U.S. was kind of in the background by the 1990s, so I checked out one of his albums from the early part of the decade. I have to say, I am overjoyed that I did so. This one in particular I found amazing in how it seemingly is based in west coast "cool" jazz, but I heard elements from be-bop, freeform, hard bop, and fusion amongst others wrapped him a strikingly beautiful emotion filled bow. One of those songs that you can just play over and over again and get lost in like I was the first time you heard it.

Hear I Wish I Knew on YouTube.

My song pick 1 year ago today: Simple Minds - Someone Somewhere in Summertime

My song pick 2 years ago today: The Grateful Dead - Box of Rain

My song pick 3 years ago today: Frank Zappa - Waka/Jawaka

My song pick 4 years ago today: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Green Heaven

My song pick 5 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Quartet

My song pick 6 years ago today: Rainbow - Fool For The Night