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1. Sonny Stitt Albums
2. Sonny Stitt Jazz
3. Sonny Stitt Children

Sonny Stitt established himself on the American jazz scene in the 60's before making an impact on the UK jazz funk scene during the mid-70's. Prior to these recordings, Sonny Stitt recorded in the 40's for Tiny Bradshaws band. Sonny Stitt: ts: Autumn Leaves: Good Life Storyville: 3: John Coltrane/Sonny Rollins: ts. The Champ Muse 1973: 173: Sonny Stitt: as: I Can't Give You.

It's Magic is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in 1969 but not released by the Delmark label until 2005.^[1][2]

Reception[edit]

Scott Yanow of Allmusic said 'This previously unissued set by the great bebop saxophonist Sonny Stitt does not contain any real surprises. Stitt, who at the time was using a Varitone octave device on his horns (it is fortunately barely noticeable here), performs with his regular band of the period... Although his playing on both alto and tenor is quite professional and reasonably creative within the boundaries of his boppish music, Stitt sometimes sounds as if he is just going through the motions'.^[3] In JazzTimes Chris Kelsey wrote 'Sonny Stitt’s It’s Magic (Delmark), an organ-trio date recorded in 1969, is less magic than simple sleight-of-hand. ... Absent is the dauntless intensity he could bring to the table when the mood struck him. His use of a Varitone device-an early signal processor that added an octave below the tenor’s normal register-might have been an inhibiting factor, although the extra octave is just barely audible when it can be heard at all ... it’s like watching Houdini pull a rabbit out of a hat. It’s kind of cool, but you know he’s capable of much more'.^[5] On All About Jazz Paul Olsen noted 'It's Magic isn't a great album and it's by no means essential. But it's got its charms, though. It's a rough-sounding, raw recording with occasionally faltering sound, but that quality gives it a certain immediacy that benefits the variable performance—at times, anyway. Sometimes Stitt's great, sometimes he's not. The band's ability rises and falls. There's no faking it—and that's jazz, not magic'^[4]

Track listing[edit]

1. 'Four' (Miles Davis) – 3:49
2. 'On Green Dolphin Street' (Bronisław Kaper, Ned Washington) – 3:42
3. 'Parker's Mood' (Charlie Parker) – 3:50
4. 'How High the Moon' (Morgan Lewis, Nancy Hamilton) – 3:49 Amazon
5. 'Shake Your Head' (Bob Gerow, Sammy Cahn) – 3:39
6. 'It's Magic' (Jule Styne, Cahn) – 3:46
7. 'Getting Sentimental Over You' (George Bassman, Washington) – 4:11
8. 'Just Friends' (John Klenner, Sam M. Lewis) – 4:55
9. 'Body and Soul' (Johnny Green, Edward Heyman, Robert Sour, Frank Eyton) – 4:04
10. 'They Can't Take That Away from Me' (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin) – 3:52

Personnel[edit]

• Sonny Stitt - alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, varitone
• Don Patterson - organ
• Billy James - drums

References[edit]

1. ^Delmark Records: album details accessed October 22, 2019
2. ^Jazzlists: Delmark Records discography: 400/500 series accessed October 22, 2019
3. ^ ^abYanow, Scott. Sonny Stitt: It's Magic – Review at AllMusic. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
4. ^ ^abOlsen, P. All About Jazz Review accessed October 22, 2019
5. ^Kelsey, C. JazzTimes Review accessed October 22, 2019

Sonny Stitt Albums

God Bless Jug and Sonny is a live album by saxophonists Sonny Stitt and Gene Ammons recorded in Baltimore in 1973 and released on the Prestige label in 2001.^[2]

Reception[edit]

The Allmusic review stated 'Unlike some of their 1940s/early '50s encounters, God Bless Jug and Sonny falls short of essential. But this 1973 reunion is still enjoyable and will interest the saxophonists' hardcore fans'.^[1]

Track listing[edit]

1. 'Blue 'n' Boogie' (Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Paparelli) - 16:36
2. 'Stringin' the Jug' (Gene Ammons, Sonny Stitt) - 14:58
3. 'God Bless the Child' (Billie Holiday, Arthur Herzog, Jr.) - 5:48
4. 'Autumn in New York' (Vernon Duke) - 5:05
5. 'Ugetsu' (Cedar Walton) - 7:44
6. 'Bye Bye Blackbird' (Mort Dixon, Ray Henderson) - 17:51

Personnel[edit]

• Gene Ammons - tenor saxophone (tracks 1, 2, 3 & 6)
• Sonny Stitt - tenor saxophone (tracks 1, 2 & 6), alto saxophone (track 4)
• Cedar Walton - piano - trio track 5
• Sam Jones - bass
• Billy Higgins - drums

References[edit]

Sonny Stitt Jazz

1. ^ ^abHenderson, A. Allmusic Review accessed December 19, 2012
2. ^Gene Ammons discography accessed December 19, 2012

Sonny Stitt Children