The prize was also awarded to American composer and musician Steve Reich for "his unique ability to use repeats, canon technique and minimal variation of patterns to develop an entire universe of evocative music, endowed with immediate tonal beauty. Inspired by different musical traditions, Steve Reich has transferred questions of faith, society and philosophy into a hypnotic-sounding music that has inspired musicians and composers of all genres."The prize was awarded to American tenor saxophonist and composer Sonny Rollins, "one of the most powerful and personal voices in jazz for more than 50 years. Sonny Rollins has elevated the unaccompanied solo to the highest artistic level – all characterized by a distinctive and powerful sound, irresistible swing and an individual musical sense of humor. He is still active and the greatest remaining master from one of jazz’s seminal eras."The Polar Music Prize was founded in 1989 by the late Stig “Stikkan” Anderson, the legendary manager of ABBA, who donated a large sum of money to The Royal Swedish Academy of Music to establish The Stig Anderson Music Award Foundation and to create what was to become known as the Polar Music Prize. Each recipient receives a total amount of one million Swedish kronor, which is equivalent to approximately USD 140,000 or EUR 108,000.The prize winners will receive the prize from His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden at a gala ceremony at the Stockholm Concert Hall, to be followed by a celebratory banquet at Grand Hôtel on May 21, 2007.The Consul General of Sweden in New York also hosted a reception and press event on February 1 to honor the prize winners.For more information: www.polarmusicprize.orgPhoto: Steve Reich and Sonny Rollins, © Solveig Linka