Biography of Sonny Stitt

One of the most important saxophonists in jazz history, Stitt began recording in 1946 after appearing with Tiny Bradshaw, Billy Eckstine, and Dizzy Gillespie. His early recordings are on Savoy and Galaxy (via Sensation). He switched from alto to tenor sax in 1949 and created a sensation with Prestige/New Jazz recordings featuring Bud Powell, John Lewis and J.J. Johnson, then joined forces with Gene Ammons in 1950 playing both saxes (and, occasionally, baritone sax as well). His Prestige recordings of 1950-1952 are all worth hearing as are his sessions for Roost, Argo, and Verve throughout the '50s.Stitt was a freelance recording artist throughout much of his career, which accounts for the large number of recordings done for different labels during the same period. In the '60s, Stitt got into organ sessions with players such as Jack McDuff and Don Patterson. More often than not, the organ sessions lack the spirit of his more bop-oriented recordings. From 1966 to 1971, Stitt made use of electronic attachments for his saxophone which tended to dull his tone and dampen the fire of the music. Those should be avoided.Stitt made well over a hundred albums in his career but those in his later years that are especially recommended are those on the Muse label. Sessions involving pianist Barry Harris are among the best of all Sonny Stitt recordings. ~ Bob Porter