Sonny Rollins, the "Saxophone Colossus" and the last in a golden era of jazz greats, died on May 25. Aged 95, he was one of a handful of saxophone players who defined the instrument, a pantheon that includes Charlie Parker, Coleman Hawkins and John Coltrane. Rollins' often marathon, hard-blowing solos earned him a reputation as the greatest jazz saxophone improviser. FRANCE 24's Samy-Vicente Lacerda looks back on Rollins' life.

The legendary jazz saxophonist, who revolutionized the art of improvisation, died Monday at his home in Woodstock, N.Y.

Celui que l'on surnommait «le colosse du saxophone» est décédé lundi dans son domicile à New York, à l'âge de 95 ans