Sonny Rollins and the Contemporary Leaders

Sonny Rollins and the Contemporary Leaders is an album by jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins, recorded for the Contemporary label, featuring performances by Rollins with Hampton Hawes, Barney Kessel, Leroy Vinnegar, and Shelly Manne with Victor Feldman added on one track. It was the last record Rollins produced before a hiatus from recording and performing in public, before his return with The Bridge in 1962. Reception The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow states: "The last of the classic Sonny Rollins albums prior to his unexpected three-year retirement features the great tenor... on an unusual but inspired list of standards. Rollins creates explorative and often witty improvisations.... Great music." A copy of this album is featured on the cover to The Nightfly by Donald Fagen in 1982, where Fagen poses as a late-night jazz DJ.