Beyond Colossus - The Music of Sonny Rollins

The Midnight Espresso invites you to step into an intimate jazz lounge for a carefully curated evening of live music and craft mixology.

Jazz Nights by The Midnight Espresso is a live jazz session designed for those who value atmosphere, artistry and quality over crowds. With only 44 tickets available, this experience brings you up close to exceptional musicians while you enjoy expertly crafted cocktails in a historical setting.

This Friday, we celebrate the music of Sonny Rollins, one of the most important saxophonists and composers in the history of jazz.

Sonny Rollins will go down in history as not only the single most enduring tenor saxophonist of the bebop and hard bop era, but also the greatest contemporary jazz saxophonist of them all. His fluid and harmonically innovative ideas, effortless manner, and easily identifiable and accessible sound have influenced generations of performers, but have also fueled the notion that mainstream jazz music can be widely enjoyed, recognized, and proliferated. Born Theodore Walter Rollins in New York City on September 7, 1930, he had an older brother who played violin. At age nine he took up piano lessons but discontinued them, took up the alto saxophone in high school, and switched to tenor after high school, doing local engagements. In 1948 he recorded with vocalist Babs Gonzales, then Bud Powell and Fats Navarro, and his first composition, “Audubon,” was recorded by J.J. Johnson. Soon thereafter, Rollins made the rounds quickly with groups led by Art Blakey, Tadd Dameron, Chicago drummer Ike Day, and Miles Davis in 1951, followed by his own recordings with Kenny Drew, Kenny Dorham, and Thelonious Monk.

Zé Maria on saxophone, Bruno Santos on guitar, Nelson Cascais on bass and Francisco Gomes on drums perform a selection of Rollins’ compositions and music from his remarkable body of work.

Zé Maria - sax

Bruno Santos - guitar

Nelson Cascais - bass

Francisco Gomes - drums

• Live jazz performance (approx. 1h30)

• Cocktails crafted by The Midnight Espresso bar team

• Reserved Tables

• Intimate venue with limited capacity

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Date: Friday, October 9th

Doors open: 9 PM

Show time: 9:30 PM - 11:00 PM

📍 Location: The Midnight Espresso | Chiado at Travessa Guilherme Cossoul 11, 1200-213 Lisboa

🎟 Capacity: 44 guests only

🅿️ Paid parking available at Parque do Camões

NOTES:

• This event is strictly for attendees aged 18 and over.

• Ticket holders must present their tickets on entry. You can either print your ticket or present this digital version. You can find all the details about this event on our website. All ticket sales are final. Cancellations, exchanges or refunds are not available. Tickets may be transferred or resold to another guest.

• Please note that this event will be photographed and filmed. By purchasing a ticket and attending, you consent to the use of your image and likeness in any promotional or commercial materials related to The Midnight Espresso.

• We allow a 15-minute grace period after the scheduled start time. After this time, we can no longer guarantee seating and entry may be refused if the venue is at full capacity.

• Seating is allocated upon arrival on a first-come, first-served basis, and table reservations are not available.

• To ensure your group is seated together, please book all tickets under the same name.

• By purchasing these tickets, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to all of the above terms and conditions.