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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZSTITT, Sonny(b Edward Stitt, 2 Feb. '24, Boston MA; d 22 July '82) Saxophones. From musical family; played mostly alto at first, was both inspired and admired by Charlie Parker: not as inventive as Parker but with plenty of fire and a voice of its own, his modernist style may not have owed everything to Parker's: the ideas were in the air. He played tenor in the late '40s early '50s, with more than a hint of Lester Young; played more alto after Parker died, but mainly known as a tenorist. Played in Dizzy Gillespie band '45--6, co- led band with Gene Ammons '49--50, toured with JATP, own groups; rejoined Gillespie briefly '58, replaced John Coltrane in Miles Davis quintet for most of '60 incl. UK visit; played at many festivals. Giants of Jazz world tour '72, with Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Art Blakey, others. Albums: with Ammons on Prestige; Sonny Stitt/Bud Powell/J. J. Johnson '49-- 50, Kaleidoscope '50--51 on Fantasy, many own LPs on Prestige from '50s on incl. 'Nuther Fu'ther '63 with Jack McDuff, Primitivo Soul '64, Shangri-La and Soul People '65, Stitt's Bits and Soul Electricity '68. Also Stitt And Top Brass '62 and Stitt Plays Bird '65 on Atlantic; Blues For Duke '75, The Bubba's Sessions and an album with Harry Edison and Lockjaw Davis, both '81, on Who's Who in Jazz; My Buddy: Stitt Plays For Gene Ammons '75, Sonny's Back '80, In Style '81, Last Stitt Sessions '82, several others all on Muse; In Walked Sonny with Blakey on Sonet, Blows The Blues on Verve, many more. |