The Rolling Stones are back in the studio working on new material with jazz saxophonist Courtney Pine, a strong indication that a 26th album is in the works. The band released their 25th album, Foreign Tongues, in July, and have already begun sessions for a follow-up.
Courtney Pine reveals new sessions
Courtney Pine, a pioneering jazz saxophonist, confirmed he recently recorded with the band. He told Radio Three's Private Passions, which airs on Sunday October 11: "I've just done another session a couple of weeks ago with him (Mick) for The Rolling Stones. Mick's an amazing artist. That whole pop world is completely different to anything that I know."
Pine, 62, has collaborated with Mick Jagger before, playing sax on Jagger's 1993 solo album Wandering Spirit. He has also worked with Sir Paul McCartney, Kate Bush, Bryan Ferry and Paul Young.
Costly saxophones and a passport as collateral
Pine described an extraordinary experience during the sessions. He had to hire top-notch saxophones, which can cost up to £20,000 each, but ran into problems. He recalled: "I played on one version of Mick Jagger's solo album and they threw it away and then I get a call 'Can I come out to LA tomorrow and play on another version of the same album?' Mick Jagger? Of course!
"So I'm up in America picking up local instruments and the Stradivarius of saxophones are Selmers. I got into the store and the owner of the store looks at me and says 'Well, I can't give you these instruments'. He takes one look at me.. I mean they've already made the deal and they've paid the money… but the guy says 'No, you can't have them'. They had to have Mick Jagger's passport as collateral!"
It all worked out in the end. Pine said: "We did the session and he had a hit with the track as well!"
No tour in 2027, but new music continues
Fans had hoped the Stones would tour next year with songs from Foreign Tongues, as the group has not performed live since 2024. However, the band members – including Mick Jagger, 83, Ronnie Wood, 79, and Keith Richards, 82 – are not resting on their laurels.
In a recent interview with NME, Ronnie Wood explained Keith's reticence about touring: "I know Mick is busting to go, and Keith is not busting to go. And you've got to have everybody's enthusiasm to do it. When The Stones give me the call-up papers, I'll be back but in the meantime, I have to keep playing. When my compadres say, 'Let's go', I'll be ready."
A spokesman for The Rolling Stones said: "Mick and the band are always coming up with new ideas and laying down tracks for possible future release. Watch this space!"
