Sonny Rollins: The Origin of St. Thomas

Sonny Rollins talks about his relationship with music from the islands, and how he put together, St. Thomas, which he first recorded on "Saxophone Colossus."

[Dang...]

Thanks for posting this! I've always wondered about the origins of this gem that's been such a musical vehicle for Sonny and so many other musicians.

[jerkmansgrillproductions]

Yes, as a kid from Jamaica there was an old folk song that I think evolved into Sony's St. Thomas called "Bam Bam Lou Lou, Lou Lou gone away "

[dudeguy]

Having been born in St. Thomas (USVI), this is soooo cool!!! :-D

[evertdude]

The melody of st thomas goes al the way back to west africa. I played the tune and my Ghanian friend recognised that song as a west african traditional

[meckel]

Thank you, Jazz Video Guy. Sadly. Sonny is old, and some day, hopefully not soon, we will be treasuring the worlds of wisdom you have been recording