Sonny Rollins and the Contemporary Leaders is a 1959 album by jazzsaxophonistSonny 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.[5] It was the last studio record Rollins made in the 1950s. Following the recording of "Sonny Rollins and the Contemporary Leaders", Rollins toured Europe in the spring of 1959, then took a hiatus from recording and performing in public that ended in 1962 with his LP The Bridge.[6]
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."[2]