News & Updates — Sonny Rollins

The great jazz bassist Wilber Ware was born on this day. He only made one album as a leader but his unique style can be heard on many records, not the least of which are by Thelonious Monk. The Chicago native was largely self-taught as a bassist of unique and unorthodox talent. He dabbled with drums and banjo and sang gospel. He played in local swing bands in the '40s, as well as bebop. Some Chicago experience early on included work with Sonny Stitt, Roy Eldridge, Stuff Smith and he played on some early '50s recordings with Johnny Griffin and...