The remainder of the book is an essentially chronological telling of Rollins' life in music, with an emphasis on his artistic maturation in the years from his first recordings as a 19-year-old Charlie Parker-influenced sideman on sessions led by the singer Babs Gonsales, trombonist J.J. Johnson, and the great bop pianist Bud Powell; through his mentoring by pianist Thelonious Monk and trumpeter Miles Davis, who encouraged him to be true to his own voice; and on to the creation of his classic recordings in the late '50s and early '60s.

Nisenson had Rollins' full cooperation in writing the book, and much of the story is told in Rollins' own words, which provides a fascinating counterpoint to the author's voice as fan and biographer. We learn of, but don't revel in, Rollins' struggles with heroin in the early '50s, and feel his quiet triumph as he finally overcomes the addiction and leaves behind the lifestyle it generated to become the kind of man and musician he knew he could be.

The greatest moments from an especially fruitful period of Rollins' career, '56-'58, are captured on an five-CD collection on Riverside released to coicide with the publication of this book, called The Freelance Years. Included are works from two of his most important albums, The Freedom Suite featuring the great long-form title track, and the fabulous Way Out West, highlighted by Rollins' audacious jazz take on the old Western tune, "I'm An Old Cowhand," one of the great moments in recorded jazz history (in spite of Heisenberg).

Rollins' latest album, This Is What I Do, recorded when he was 70, is brilliant as well, winning his first Grammy. His classic, Tenor Titan, featuring the orginal recording of his signature tune "St. Thomas," has just been reissued.

Rollins is, even at 72, a stunning live performer. Catch him live while you still can, even if you have to take a trip to Europe:

10/11 Teatro Dell'Opera, Rome
10/13 Tempodrom, Berlin
10/15 Alte-Oper, Frankfurt
10/17 Musikhalle, Hamburg
10/19 Zenith Theater, Nancy, France
10/23 Olympia Theater, Paris

2003:
3/7 Verizon Hall, Philadelphia
3/14 McCarter Theater, Princeton, NJ
4/12 Berklee Performance Center, Boston
5/16 NJ Performing Arts Center, Newark
6/6 Discover Jazz Festival, Burlington, VT