Edward Hammond Boatner Jr. (February 2, 1924 – July 22, 1982), known professionally as Sonny Stitt, was an American

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a major ...

saxophonist of the

bebop Bebop or bop is a style of jazz developed in the early-to-mid-1940s in the United States. The style features compositions characterized by a fast tempo, complex chord progressions with rapid chord changes and numerous changes of key, instrumen ...

hard bop Hard bop is a subgenre of jazz that is an extension of bebop (or "bop") music. Journalists and record companies began using the term in the mid-1950s to describe a new current within jazz that incorporated influences from rhythm and blues, gospe ...

idiom. Known for his warm tone, he was one of the best-documented saxophonists of his generation, recording more than 100 albums. He was nicknamed the "Lone Wolf" by jazz critic

Dan Morgenstern Dan Morgenstern (born October 24, 1929) is a jazz writer, editor, archivist, and producer. He is the son of the German-language Jewish author Soma Morgenstern. Morgenstern was raised in Vienna and Copenhagen and arrived in the United States in ...

because of his relentless touring and devotion to jazz yet rarely worked with the same musicians for long. Stitt was sometimes viewed as a

Charlie Parker Charles Parker Jr. (August 29, 1920 – March 12, 1955), nicknamed "Bird" or "Yardbird", was an American jazz saxophonist, band leader and composer. Parker was a highly influential soloist and leading figure in the development of bebop, a form ...

mimic, especially earlier in his career, but gradually came to develop his own sound and style, particularly when performing on

tenor saxophone The tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the saxophone family, a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s. The tenor and the alto are the two most commonly used saxophones. The tenor is pitched in the key of B (while th ...

and even occasionally

baritone saxophone The baritone saxophone is a member of the saxophone family of instruments, larger (and lower-pitched) than the tenor saxophone, but smaller (and higher-pitched) than the bass. It is the lowest-pitched saxophone in common use - the bass, contra ...

Early life

Edward Hammond Boatner, Jr. was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and grew up in

Saginaw, Michigan Saginaw () is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the seat of Saginaw County. The city of Saginaw and Saginaw County are both in the area known as Mid-Michigan. Saginaw is adjacent to Saginaw Charter Township and considered part of Greater ...

. He had a musical background: his father,

Edward Boatner Edward Hammond Boatner (1898–1981) was an American composer who wrote many popular concert arrangements of Black American spirituals. Biography Boatner was educated at Western University in Quindaro, Kansas, Boston Conservatory and recei ...

, was a baritone singer, composer, and college music professor; his brother was a classically trained pianist, and his mother was a piano teacher. He was given up for adoption in 1924 by his father and adopted by the Stitt family in Saginaw. He later began calling himself "Sonny". While in high school in Saginaw, he played in the Len Francke Band, a local popular swing band. In 1943, Stitt met

. As he often recalled, the two men had similar styles. Parker is alleged to have remarked, "Well, I'll be damned, you sound just like me", to which Stitt responded, "Well, I can't help the way I sound. It's the only way I know how to play."

Kenny Clarke Kenneth Clarke Spearman (January 9, 1914January 26, 1985), nicknamed Klook, was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. A major innovator of the bebop style of drumming, he pioneered the use of the ride cymbal to keep time rather than the hi-ha ...

said of Stitt, "Even if there had not been a Bird, there would have been a Sonny Stitt." During the 1940s, he played alto saxophone as a member of

Tiny Bradshaw Myron Carlton "Tiny" Bradshaw (September 23, 1907 – November 26, 1958)
- accessed July 2010 was an American

's big band,

Billy Eckstine William Clarence Eckstine (July 8, 1914 – March 8, 1993) was an American jazz and pop singer and a bandleader during the swing and bebop eras. He was noted for his rich, almost operatic bass-baritone voice. In 2019, Eckstine was posthumously ...

's big band with

Gene Ammons Eugene "Jug" Ammons (April 14, 1925 – August 6, 1974), also known as "The Boss", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. The son of boogie-woogie pianist Albert Ammons, Gene Ammons is remembered for his accessible music, steeped in soul and ...

and

Dexter Gordon Dexter Gordon (February 27, 1923 – April 25, 1990) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist, composer, bandleader, and actor. He was among the most influential early bebop musicians, which included other greats such as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gi ...

, and

Dizzy Gillespie John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie (; October 21, 1917 – January 6, 1993) was an American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, composer, educator and singer. He was a trumpet virtuoso and improviser, building on the virtuosic style of Roy Eldridge but addi ...

's big band. Stitt was a leader of Bebop Boys and Galaxy in 1946 and 1948 respectively. When playing tenor saxophone Stitt seemed to break free from some of the criticism that he was imitating Parker's style, and began to develop a far more distinctive sound. He played with other bop musicians including Horace Parlan, Bud Powell and

Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis Edward F. Davis (March 2, 1922 – November 3, 1986), known professionally as Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. It is unclear how he acquired the moniker "Lockjaw" (later shortened in "Jaws"): it is either said that ...

, a fellow tenor with a distinctly tough tone in comparison to Stitt, in the 1950s and recorded a number of sides for Prestige Records as well as albums for Argo,

Verve Verve may refer to: Music * The Verve, an English rock band * ''The Verve E.P.'', a 1992 EP by The Verve * ''Verve'' (R. Stevie Moore album) * Verve Records, an American jazz record label Businesses * Verve Coffee Roasters, an American coffee ho ...

, and Roost. Stitt experimented with Afro-Cuban jazz in the late 1950s, and the results can be heard on his recordings for Roost and Verve, on which he teamed up with

Thad Jones Thaddeus Joseph Jones (March 28, 1923 – August 20, 1986) was an American jazz trumpeter, composer, and bandleader who has been called "one of the all-time greatest jazz trumpet soloists". Biography Thad Jones was born in Pontiac, Michigan, U ...

and

Chick Corea Armando Anthony "Chick" Corea (June 12, 1941 – February 9, 2021) was an American jazz composer, pianist, keyboardist, bandleader, and occasional percussionist. His compositions "Spain", " 500 Miles High", "La Fiesta", "Armando's Rhumba", and ...

for Latin versions of such standards as " Autumn Leaves". In 1952 Stitt played with pianist Jimmy Jones and the next year performed orchestral music with

Johnny Richards Johnny Richards (born Juan Manuel Cascales, November 2, 1911 – October 7, 1968) was an American jazz arranger and composer. He was a pivotal arranger for some of the more adventurous performances by Stan Kenton's big band in the 1950s and e ...

. Under

Quincy Jones Quincy Delight Jones Jr. (born March 14, 1933) is an American record producer, musician, songwriter, composer, arranger, and film and television producer. His career spans 70 years in the entertainment industry with a record of 80 Grammy Award n ...

's guidance in 1955 he played

uptempo A variety of musical terms are likely to be encountered in printed scores, music reviews, and program notes. Most of the terms are Italian, in accordance with the Italian origins of many European musical conventions. Sometimes, the special mus ...

s and

ballad A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads derive from the medieval French ''chanson balladée'' or ''ballade'', which were originally "dance songs". Ballads were particularly characteristic of the popular poetry and ...

s such as "My Funny Valentine" and "Star Dust" and the same year performed "Afterwards" and "There Will Never Be Another You" with

Hank Jones Henry Jones Jr. (July 31, 1918 – May 16, 2010) was an American jazz pianist, bandleader, arranger, and composer. Critics and musicians described Jones as eloquent, lyrical, and impeccable. In 1989, The National Endowment for the Arts honored ...

. Stitt joined

Dolo Coker Charles Mitchell "Dolo" Coker (November 16, 1927 – April 13, 1983) was a jazz pianist and composer who recorded four albums for Xanadu Records and extensively as a sideman, for artists like Sonny Stitt, Gene Ammons, Lou Donaldson, Art Pepper, ...

in 1957 to perform "Blues for Yard" and "Blue Moon" before returning to Hank to perform "Cherokee". Stitt joined

Miles Davis Miles Dewey Davis III (May 26, 1926September 28, 1991) was an American trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. He is among the most influential and acclaimed figures in the history of jazz and 20th-century music. Davis adopted a variety of music ...

briefly in 1960, and recordings with Davis' quintet can be found only in live settings on the tour of 1960. Concerts in Manchester and Paris are available commercially and also a number of concerts (which include sets by the earlier quintet with John Coltrane) on the record ''Live at Stockholm'' (

Dragon A dragon is a reptilian legendary creature that appears in the folklore of many cultures worldwide. Beliefs about dragons vary considerably through regions, but dragons in western cultures since the High Middle Ages have often been depicted as ...

), all of which featured

Wynton Kelly Wynton Charles Kelly (December 2, 1931 – April 12, 1971) was an American jazz pianist and composer. He is known for his lively, blues-based playing and as one of the finest accompanists in jazz. He began playing professionally at the age of ...

Jimmy Cobb Wilbur James "Jimmy" Cobb (January 20, 1929May 24, 2020) was an American jazz drummer. He was part of Miles Davis's First Great Sextet. At the time of his death, he had been the band's last surviving member for nearly thirty years. He was a ...

, and

Paul Chambers Paul Laurence Dunbar Chambers Jr. (April 22, 1935 – January 4, 1969) was an American jazz double bassist. A fixture of rhythm sections during the 1950s and 1960s, he has become one of the most widely-known jazz bassists of the hard bop era. ...

. However, Miles fired Stitt due to the excessive drinking habit he had developed, and replaced him with

Hank Mobley Henry "Hank" Mobley (July 7, 1930 – May 30, 1986) was an American hard bop and soul jazz tenor saxophonist and composer. Mobley was described by Leonard Feather as the "middleweight champion of the tenor saxophone", a metaphor used to descr ...

. Later in the 1960s, Stitt paid homage to Parker on the album ''Stitt Plays Bird'', which features Jim Hall on guitar. Stitt recorded several times with his friend

in sessions that were interrupted by Ammons' own imprisonment for narcotics possession. The records recorded by these two saxophonists are regarded by many as some of both Ammons and Stitt's best work. The Ammons/Stitt partnership went down in posterity as one of the best dueling partnerships in jazz, alongside

Zoot Sims John Haley "Zoot" Sims (October 29, 1925 – March 23, 1985) was an American jazz saxophonist, playing mainly tenor but also alto (and, later, soprano) saxophone. He first gained attention in the "Four Brothers" sax section of Woody Herman's big ...

and

Al Cohn Al Cohn (November 24, 1925 – February 15, 1988) was an American jazz saxophonist, arranger and composer. He came to prominence in the band of clarinetist Woody Herman and was known for his longtime musical partnership with fellow saxophonist ...

, and

Johnny Griffin John Arnold Griffin III (April 24, 1928 – July 25, 2008) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. Nicknamed "the Little Giant" for his short stature and forceful playing, Griffin's career began in the mid-1940s and continued until the month of ...

with Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis. Stitt ventured into soul jazz, and he recorded with fellow tenor saxophonist Booker Ervin in 1964 on the '' Soul People'' album. Stitt also recorded with

Duke Ellington Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his eponymous jazz orchestra from 1923 through the rest of his life. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Ellington was based ...

alumnus Paul Gonsalves in 1963 for

Impulse! Impulse! Records (occasionally styled as "¡mpulse! Records" and "¡!") is an American jazz record company and label established by Creed Taylor in 1960. John Coltrane was among Impulse!'s earliest signings. Thanks to consistent sales and positiv ...

on the ''

Salt and Pepper Salt and pepper is the common name for edible salt and ground black pepper, which are ubiquitously paired on Western dining tables as to allow for the additional seasoning of food after its preparation. During food preparation or cooking, they ...

'' album in 1964. Around that time he appeared regularly at

Ronnie Scott Ronnie may refer to: *Ronnie (name), a unisex pet name and given name * "Ronnie" (Four Seasons song), a song by Bob Gaudio and Bob Crewe *"Ronnie," a song from the Metallica album '' Load'' *Ronnie Brunswijkstadion, an association football stadium ...

's in London, a live 1964 encounter with

, ''The Night Has a Thousand Eyes'', eventually surfaced, and another in 1966 with resident guitarist

Ernest Ranglin Ernest Ranglin (born 19 June 1932) is a Jamaican guitarist and composer who established his career while working as a session guitarist and music director for various Jamaican record labels including Studio One and Island Records. Ranglin pla ...

and British tenor saxophonist

Dick Morrissey Richard Edwin Morrissey (9 May 1940 – 8 November 2000) was a British jazz musician and composer. He played the tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone and flute. Biography Background He was born in Horley, Surrey, England. Dick Morrissey emerg ...

. Stitt was one of the first jazz musicians to experiment with the Selmer Varitone amplification system as heard on the albums ''

What's New!!! ''What's New!!!'' (subtitled ''Sonny Stitt Plays the Varitone'') is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in 1966 and released on the Roulette label. The album represents Stitt's first recorded use of the varitone, an electronic amplificat ...

'' in 1966 and ''

Parallel-a-Stitt ''Parallel-a-Stitt'' (subtitled ''Sonny Stitt on the Varitone'') is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in 1967 and released on the Roulette Records, Roulette label. The album represents Stitt's third featuring the varitone, an electronic ...

'' in 1967.

Later life

In the 1970s Stitt slowed his recording output slightly but in 1972 produced another classic, '' Tune-Up!'', which was and still is regarded by many jazz critics, such as Scott Yanow, as his definitive record. Indeed, his fiery and ebullient soloing was reminiscent of his earlier playing. In 1971 he managed to record four albums; ''

Turn It On! ''Turn It On!'' is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in 1971 and released on the Prestige label. The album features Stitt using the varitone, an electronic amplification device which altered the saxophone's sound.Myers, MSonny Stitt: Va ...

'' with

Leon Spencer Leon Spencer (November 1, 1945 – March 11, 2012) was an American jazz organist from Houston, Texas. He played piano with David Newman and organ with Melvin Sparks. Spencer recorded for Prestige in the early 1970s with Buddy Caldwell, Idris Muha ...

Melvin Sparks Melvin Sparks (March 22, 1946 – March 15, 2011) was an American soul jazz, hard bop and jazz blues guitarist. He recorded a number of albums for Prestige Records, later recording for Savant Records. He appeared on several recordings with musici ...

, Idris Muhammad, and Virgil Jones, ''

You Talk That Talk! ''You Talk That Talk!'' is an album by saxophonists Gene Ammons and Sonny Stitt recorded in 1971 and released on the Prestige label.Gene Ammons Eugene "Jug" Ammons (April 14, 1925 – August 6, 1974), also known as "The Boss", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. The son of boogie-woogie pianist Albert Ammons, Gene Ammons is remembered for his accessible music, steeped in soul and ...

and George Freeman as new members of the group, ''Just The Way It Was - Live At The Left Bank'' with Don Patterson and Billy James, and ''

Black Vibrations ''Black Vibrations'' is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in 1971 and released on the Prestige label. ''Just The Way It Was - Live At The Left Bank'' which was released in 2000 also featured Stitt as an electric saxophone player, which was the first album which encompassed it. Stitt's productivity dropped in the 1970s due to alcoholism. He drank heavily after giving up

heroin Heroin, also known as diacetylmorphine and diamorphine among other names, is a potent opioid mainly used as a recreational drug for its euphoric effects. Medical grade diamorphine is used as a pure hydrochloride salt. Various white and brow ...

in the late fifties and the abuse was beginning to take its toll. A series of alcohol-induced

seizure An epileptic seizure, informally known as a seizure, is a period of symptoms due to abnormally excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain. Outward effects vary from uncontrolled shaking movements involving much of the body with l ...

s caused Stitt to abstain and quit for good. Stitt joined the all-star group

The Giants of Jazz The Giants of Jazz was a jazz all-star group of the 1970s which featured Art Blakey (drums), Dizzy Gillespie (trumpet), Al McKibbon (bass), Thelonious Monk (piano), Sonny Stitt (alto and tenor sax), and Kai Winding (trombone). They recorded al ...

(which also featured

Art Blakey Arthur Blakey (October 11, 1919 – October 16, 1990) was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. He was also known as Abdullah Ibn Buhaina after he converted to Islam for a short time in the late 1940s. Blakey made a name for himself in the 1 ...

Thelonious Monk Thelonious Sphere Monk (, October 10, 1917 – February 17, 1982) was an American jazz pianist and composer. He had a unique improvisational style and made numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire, including " 'Round Midnight", "B ...

, Kai Winding and bassist

Al McKibbon Al McKibbon (January 1, 1919 – July 29, 2005) was an American jazz double bassist, known for his work in bop, hard bop, and Latin jazz. In 1947, after working with Lucky Millinder, Tab Smith, J. C. Heard, and Coleman Hawkins, he replaced ...

) and made albums for

Atlantic The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's five oceans, with an area of about . It covers approximately 20% of Earth's surface and about 29% of its water surface area. It is known to separate the " Old World" of Africa, Europe an ...

Concord Concord may refer to: Meaning "agreement" * Pact or treaty, frequently between nations (indicating a condition of harmony) * Harmony, in music * Agreement (linguistics), a change in the form of a word depending on grammatical features of other ...

and

EmArcy EmArcy Records is a jazz record label founded in 1954 by the American Mercury Records. The name is a phonetic spelling of "MRC", the initials for Mercury Record Company. During the 1950s and 1960s, musicians such as Max Roach, Clifford Brown ...

. His last recordings were made in Japan. A rejuvenated Stitt also toured with

Red Holloway James Wesley "Red" Holloway (May 31, 1927 – February 25, 2012) was an American jazz saxophonist. Biography Born in Helena, Arkansas,Daniel E. Slotnik"Red Holloway, Swinger of the Sax, Dies at 84" ''The New York Times'', February 28, 2012 ...

in the late 1970s, who noted a marked improvement in his playing. In 1975 he performed with

Ron Burton Ronald E. Burton (July 25, 1936 – September 13, 2003) was an American football player in the American Football League (AFL) for the Boston Patriots. He was a consensus All-American running back at Northwestern University, and is a member of ...

Major Holley Major "Mule" Holley Jr. (July 10, 1924 – October 25, 1990) was an American jazz upright bassist. Biography Holley was born in Detroit, Michigan, United States. He attended the prestigious Cass Technical High School in Detroit. Holley played ...

and drummer John Lewis at the

Village Vanguard The Village Vanguard is a jazz club at Seventh Avenue South in Greenwich Village, New York City. The club was opened on February 22, 1935, by Max Gordon. Originally, the club presented folk music and beat poetry, but it became primarily a jazz ...

. In 1981, Stitt performed with George Duvivier and

, Six weeks before his death, Stitt recorded two last consecutive sessions which were with George Duvivier, Jimmy Cobb,

Bill Hardman William Franklin Hardman Jr. (April 6, 1933 – December 6, 1990) was an American jazz trumpeter and flugelhornist who chiefly played hard bop. He was married to Roseline and they had a daughter Nadege. Career Hardman was born and grew ...

and either

Junior Mance Julian Clifford Mance, Jr. (October 10, 1928 – January 17, 2021), known as Junior Mance, was an American jazz pianist and composer. Biography Early life (1928–1947) Mance was born in Evanston, Illinois. When he was five years old, Mance st ...

Walter Davis Jr. Walter Davis Jr. (September 2, 1932 – June 2, 1990) was an American bebop and hard bop pianist. Davis once left the music world to be a tailor, but returned. A soloist, bandleader, and accompanist, he amassed a body of work while never be ...

on piano. In 1982, Stitt was diagnosed with

cancer Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Possible signs and symptoms include a lump, abnormal b ...

, and died on July 22 in

Washington, D.C. ) , image_skyline = , image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...

He is buried in a wall crypt at Fort Lincoln Cemetery,

Brentwood, Maryland Brentwood is a town in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. Per the 2020 census, the population was 3,828. Brentwood is located within of Washington. The municipality of Brentwood is located just outside the northeast boundary o ...

Discography

As leader/co-leader

*1949–50: '' Sonny Stitt/Bud Powell/J. J. Johnson'' (

Prestige Prestige refers to a good reputation or high esteem; in earlier usage, ''prestige'' meant "showiness". (19th c.) Prestige may also refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Films * ''Prestige'' (film), a 1932 American film directed by Tay Garnet ...

, 1956) *1950: ''

Stitt's Bits ''Stitt's Bits'' is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt compiling tracks recorded in 1950 and released on the Prestige Records, Prestige label in 1958.

'' (Prestige, 1958) *1950–52: ''

Kaleidoscope A kaleidoscope () is an optical instrument with two or more reflecting surfaces (or mirrors) tilted to each other at an angle, so that one or more (parts of) objects on one end of these mirrors are shown as a regular symmetrical pattern when v ...

'' (Prestige, 1957) *1953: '' Sonny Stitt Playing Arrangements from the Pen of Johnny Richards'' (Roost) *1954: ''

Jazz at the Hi-Hat ''Jazz at the Hi-Hat'' is a live album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in Boston in 1954 and originally released on the Roost label as a four track 10 inch LP.Edwards, D. & Callahan, MRoyal Roost/Roost Album Discography accessed January 2, ...

'' ( Roost) *1954: '' The Battle of Birdland'' (Roost) with

*1955: ''

Sonny Stitt Plays Arrangements from the Pen of Quincy Jones ''Sonny Stitt Plays Arrangements from the Pen of Quincy Jones'' is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in 1955 and originally released on the Roost label.Edwards, D. & Callahan, MRoyal Roost/Roost Album Discographyaccessed January 2, 2 ...

'' (Roost) *1956: '' Sonny Stitt Plays'' (Roost) *1956: '' New York Jazz'' (

) *1956: '' For Musicians Only'' (Verve) with

and Stan Getz *1956: ''

37 Minutes and 48 Seconds with Sonny Stitt ''37 Minutes and 48 Seconds with Sonny Stitt'' is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt that was released by Roost.Edwards, D. & Callahan, MRoyal Roost/Roost Album Discography accessed January 3, 2013 Track listing Personnel * Sonny Stitt ...

'' (Roost) *1957: ''

Personal Appearance ''Personal Appearance'' (1934) is a stage comedy by the American playwright and screenwriter Lawrence Riley (1896–1974), which was a Broadway smash and the basis for the classic Mae West film ''Go West, Young Man'' ( 1936). ''Personal Ap ...

'' (Verve) *1957: ''

Sonny Stitt with the New Yorkers ''Sonny Stitt with the New Yorkers'' is an album by the saxophonist Sonny Stitt, recorded in 1957 and originally released on the Roost label. Reception The Allmusic site awarded the album 3 stars. Track listing ''All compositions by Sonny St ...

'' (Roost) *1957: '' Only the Blues'' (Verve) *1957: '' Sonny Side Up'' (Verve) with Dizzy Gillespie and Sonny Rollins *1958: '' The Saxophones of Sonny Stitt'' (Roost) *1958: '' Sonny Stitt'' ( Argo) *1958: '' Burnin''' (Argo) *1959: ''

The Hard Swing ''The Hard Swing'' is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt's Quartet recorded in 1959 and released on the Verve label.Sonny Stitt Plays Jimmy Giuffre Arrangements ''Sonny Stitt Plays Jimmy Giuffre Arrangements'' is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt performing music arranged by Jimmy Giuffre recorded in 1959 and originally released on the Verve Records, Verve label.A Little Bit of Stitt'' (Roost) *1959: ''

Sonny Stitt Sits in with the Oscar Peterson Trio ''Sonny Stitt Sits in with the Oscar Peterson Trio'' is a 1959 album by Sonny Stitt, accompanied by the Oscar Peterson trio. Reception ''The Penguin Guide to Jazz'' rated the album three and a half stars out of four and wrote of the session, "t ...

'' (Verve) with

Oscar Peterson Oscar Emmanuel Peterson (August 15, 1925 – December 23, 2007) was a Canadian virtuoso jazz pianist and composer. Considered one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time, Peterson released more than 200 recordings, won seven Grammy Awards, ...

*1959: '' The Sonny Side of Stitt'' (Roost) *1959: '' Sonny Stitt Blows the Blues'' (Verve) *1959: '' Saxophone Supremacy'' (Verve) *1959: ''

Sonny Stitt Swings the Most ''Sonny Stitt Swings the Most'' is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in 1959 and released on the Verve Records, Verve label.Stittsville'' (Roost) *1960: '' Previously Unreleased Recordings'' (Verve) *1960: '' Sonny Side Up'' (Roost) *1961: ''

The Sensual Sound of Sonny Stitt ''The Sensual Sound of Sonny Stitt'' is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt performing with Ralph Burns' orchestra recorded in 1961 and released on the Verve Records, Verve label.Ralph Burns Strings *1961: ''

Sonny Stitt at the D. J. Lounge ''Sonny Stitt at the D. J. Lounge'' is a live album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in Chicago in 1961 and released on the Argo label.Edwards, D and Callahan, MArgo Album Discography, Part 1: Jazz Series (1956-1965)accessed December 24, 2012 ...

'' (Argo) *1961: ''

Dig Him! ''Dig Him!'' is an album by saxophonists Gene Ammons and Sonny Stitt recorded in 1961 and originally released on the Argo label in 1961.Gene Ammons Eugene "Jug" Ammons (April 14, 1925 – August 6, 1974), also known as "The Boss", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. The son of boogie-woogie pianist Albert Ammons, Gene Ammons is remembered for his accessible music, steeped in soul and ...

(reissued on Prestige as ''We'll Be Together Again'' in 1969) *1961: '' Boss Tenors'' (Verve) with Gene Ammons *1962: '' Stitt Meets Brother Jack'' (Prestige) with Jack McDuff *1962: '' Boss Tenors in Orbit!'' (Verve) with Gene Ammons *1962: ''

Soul Summit ''Soul Summit'' is an album by saxophonists Gene Ammons and Sonny Stitt with organist Jack McDuff recorded in 1962 and released on the Prestige label.Jack McDuff Eugene McDuff (September 17, 1926 – January 23, 2001), known professionally as "Brother" Jack McDuff or "Captain" Jack McDuff, was an American jazz organist and organ trio bandleader who was most prominent during the hard bop and soul jazz era ...

*1962: '' Feelin's'' (Roost) *1962: '' Low Flame'' ( Jazzland) *1960–62: '' Stitt in Orbit'' (Roost) *1962: ''

Sonny Stitt & the Top Brass ''Sonny Stitt & the Top Brass'' is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in 1962 and released on the Atlantic label.

'' (

) *1962: '' Rearin' Back'' (Argo) *1963: '' Stitt Plays Bird'' (Atlantic) *1963: '' My Mother's Eyes'' (

Pacific Jazz Pacific Jazz Records was a Los Angeles-based record company and label best known for cool jazz or West coast jazz. It was founded in 1952 by producer Richard Bock (1927–1988) and drummer Roy Harte (1924–2003). Harte, in 1954, also co-founded ...

) with

Charles Kynard Charles Kynard (20 February 1933 – 8 July 1979) was an American soul jazz/ acid jazz organist born in St. Louis, Missouri. Kynard first played piano then switched to organ and led a trio in Kansas City including Tex Johnson (flute, sax) ...

*1963: '' Move on Over'' (Argo) *1963: '' Now!'' (

) *1963: ''

Salt And Pepper Salt and pepper is the common name for edible salt and ground black pepper, which are ubiquitously paired on Western dining tables as to allow for the additional seasoning of food after its preparation. During food preparation or cooking, they ...

'' (Impulse) *1963: ''

Soul Shack ''Soul Shack'' is an album by American saxophonist Sonny Stitt and organist Jack McDuff, recorded in 1963 and issued on Prestige. If ''Primitivo Soul!'', recorded in December of the same year, features mostly Latin-influenced jazz, ''Soul Shack' ...

'' (Prestige) *1963: ''

Stitt Goes Latin ''Stitt Goes Latin'' is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in 1963 and originally released on the Roost label.Edwards, D. & Callahan, MRoyal Roost/Roost Album Discographyaccessed January 4, 2013 Reception The Allmusic site awarded t ...

'' (Roost) *1963: ''

Primitivo Soul! ''Primitivo Soul!'' is an album by American saxophonist Sonny Stitt, recorded in 1963 and issued on Prestige Records in 1964. Track listing ''All compositions by Sonny Stitt except as indicated'' #"Slave Maidens" (Mussapere) - 7:34 #"Baion Ba ...

'' (Prestige) *1964: ''

My Main Man ''My Main Man'' is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt featuring trombonist Bennie Green recorded in Chicago in 1964 and released on the Argo label.Edwards, D. & Callahan, MArgo Album Discography, Part 1: Jazz Series (1956-1965)accessed January 8 ...

'' (Argo) with

Bennie Green Bennie Green (April 16, 1923 – March 23, 1977) was an American jazz trombonist. Born in Chicago, Illinois, United States, Green worked in the orchestras of Earl Hines and Charlie Ventura, and recorded as bandleader through the 1950s and ...

*1964: ''

Shangri-La Shangri-La is a fictional place in Asia's Kunlun Mountains (昆仑山), Uses the spelling 'Kuen-Lun'. described in the 1933 novel '' Lost Horizon'' by English author James Hilton. Hilton portrays Shangri-La as a mystical, harmonious valley, ...

'' (Prestige) with Don Patterson *1964: '' Soul People'' (Prestige) with Booker Ervin and Don Patterson *1965: '' Inter-Action'' (

Cadet A cadet is an officer trainee or candidate. The term is frequently used to refer to those training to become an officer in the military, often a person who is a junior trainee. Its meaning may vary between countries which can include youths in ...

) with

*1965: ''

Broadway Soul ''Broadway Soul'' is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in 1965 and released on the Colpix Records, Colpix label.Edwards, D. & Callahan, MColpix Album Discography, Part 1 (SCP-400 Popular Music Series)accessed January 8, 2013 Reception ...

'' (

Colpix Colpix Records was the first recording company for Columbia Pictures–Screen Gems. Colpix got its name from combining Columbia (Col) and Pictures (Pix). CBS, which owned Columbia Records, then sued Columbia Pictures for trademark infringement o ...

) *1965: "The Double-O-Soul of Sonny Stitt, Part 1"/"The Double-O-Soul of Sonny Stitt, Part 2" (Wingate) (Single) *1965: "Concerto For Jazz Lovers"/"Just Dust" (Wingate) (Single) *1965: "Stitt's Groove"/"Marr's Groove" (Wingate) (Single) with

Hank Marr Hank Marr (30 January 1927 – 16 March 2004) was a jazz musician known for his work on the Hammond B-3 organ. Career Natives of Columbus, Ohio, Hank Marr and tenor saxophonist Rusty Bryant co-led a group that toured for several years, beginning i ...

*1965: '' Sax Expressions'' (Roost) *1965: '' Live at Ronnie Scott's'' (Ronnie Scott's Jazz House) with

*1965: '' The Matadors Meet the Bull'' (

Roulette Roulette is a casino game named after the French word meaning ''little wheel'' which was likely developed from the Italian game Biribi''.'' In the game, a player may choose to place a bet on a single number, various groupings of numbers, the ...

) *1965: '' Pow!'' (Prestige) *1965: '' Night Crawler'' (Prestige) with Don Patterson *1966: ''

Soul in the Night ''Soul in the Night'' is an album by saxophonists Sonny Stitt and Bunky Green recorded in Chicago in 1966 and released on the Cadet Records, Cadet label.Bunky Green Vernice "Bunky" Green (born April 23, 1935) is an American jazz alto saxophonist and educator. Biography Green was raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he played the alto saxophone, mainly at a local club called "The Brass Rail". Green's fir ...

*1966: ''

'' (Roulette) *1966: '' I Keep Comin' Back!'' (Roulette) *1966: ''

Deuces Wild ''Deuces Wild'' is a 2002 American crime drama film directed by Scott Kalvert and written by Paul Kimatian and Christopher Gambale, who also created the story. The film stars Stephen Dorff, Brad Renfro, James Franco, Matt Dillon, and Fairuza Ba ...

'' (Atlantic) with

Robin Kenyatta Robin Kenyatta (March 6, 1942 – October 26, 2004) was an American jazz alto saxophonist. Early life Born Robert Prince Haynes in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, Kenyatta grew up in New York City and began playing the saxophone at age 14. He w ...

*1967: ''

'' (Roulette) *1968: '' Made for Each Other'' ( Delmark) released 1972 *1968: '' Soul Electricity!'' (Prestige) *1968: ''

Little Green Apples "Little Green Apples" is a song written by Bobby Russell that became a hit for three different artists, with their three separate releases, in 1968. Originally written for and released by American recording artist Roger Miller, "Little Green Ap ...

'' ( Solid State) *1968: ''

Come Hither ''Come Hither'' is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in 1969 and released on the Solid State label.Payne, D.Sonny Lester discographyaccessed April 14, 2015 It's Magic "It's Magic" is a popular song written by Jule Styne, with lyrics by Sammy Cahn, published in 1947. They wrote the song for Doris Day in her Warner Brothers film debut, ''Romance on the High Seas'' (retitled ''It's Magic'' in the United Kingdom ...

'' (Delmark) released 2005 *1969: ''

Night Letter A night letter is an unsigned leaflet distributed clandestinely. Afghanistan Night letters have been a tactic employed by the Taliban and other extremist groups in Afghanistan to intimidate supporters of secular government and education. Iran ...

'' (Prestige) *1971: ''

You Talk That Talk! ''You Talk That Talk!'' is an album by saxophonists Gene Ammons and Sonny Stitt recorded in 1971 and released on the Prestige label.Black Vibrations ''Black Vibrations'' is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in 1971 and released on the Prestige label.Tune-Up!'' (

Cobblestone Cobblestone is a natural building material based on cobble-sized stones, and is used for pavement roads, streets, and buildings. Setts, also called Belgian blocks, are often casually referred to as "cobbles", although a sett is distinct fro ...

) *1972: ''

Goin' Down Slow "Goin' Down Slow" or "Going Down Slow" is a blues song composed by American blues singer St. Louis Jimmy Oden. It is considered a blues standard and "one of the most famous blues of all". "Goin' Down Slow" has been recorded by many blues and o ...

'' (Prestige) *1972: ''

Constellation A constellation is an area on the celestial sphere in which a group of visible stars forms Asterism (astronomy), a perceived pattern or outline, typically representing an animal, mythological subject, or inanimate object. The origins of the e ...

'' (Cobblestone) *1972: ''

So Doggone Good ''So Doggone Good'' is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in 1972 and released on the Prestige Records, Prestige label.12!'' (

Muse In ancient Greek religion and mythology, the Muses ( grc, Μοῦσαι, Moûsai, el, Μούσες, Múses) are the inspirational goddesses of literature, science, and the arts. They were considered the source of the knowledge embodied in the ...

) *1973: '' Mr. Bojangles'' (Cadet) *1973: '' The Champ'' (Muse) *1973: ''

God Bless Jug and Sonny ''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.

'' (Prestige) with Gene Ammons *1973: ''

Left Bank Encores ''Left Bank Encores'' is a live album by saxophonists Sonny Stitt and Gene Ammons recorded in Baltimore in 1973 and released on the Prestige label in 2002.

'' (Prestige) with Gene Ammons *1973: '' Together Again for the Last Time'' (Prestige) with Gene Ammons *1974: ''

Satan Satan,, ; grc, ὁ σατανᾶς or , ; ar, شيطانالخَنَّاس , also known as Devil in Christianity, the Devil, and sometimes also called Lucifer in Christianity, is an non-physical entity, entity in the Abrahamic religions ...

'' (Cadet) *1975: ''

Never Can Say Goodbye "Never Can Say Goodbye" is a song written by Clifton Davis and originally recorded by The Jackson 5. The song was originally written and intended for the Supremes; however, Motown decided it would be better for the Jackson 5. It was the first ...

'' (Cadet) *1975: '' Mellow'' (Muse) *1975: '' Dumpy Mama'' (

Flying Dutchman The ''Flying Dutchman'' ( nl, De Vliegende Hollander) is a legendary ghost ship, allegedly never able to make port, but doomed to sail the seven seas forever. The myth is likely to have originated from the 17th-century Golden Age of the Du ...

) *1975: '' My Buddy: Sonny Stitt Plays for Gene Ammons'' (Muse) *1975: '' Blues for Duke'' (Muse) *1976: '' Stomp Off Let's Go'' (Flying Dutchman) *1976: '' Forecast: Sonny & Red'' (

Catalyst Catalysis () is the process of increasing the rate of a chemical reaction by adding a substance known as a catalyst (). Catalysts are not consumed in the reaction and remain unchanged after it. If the reaction is rapid and the catalyst recyc ...

) with

*1977: ''

I Remember Bird ''I Remember Bird'' is an album by American jazz saxophonist Sonny Stitt featuring performances recorded in 1976 for the Catalyst label.

'' (Catalyst) *1977: '' Sonny Stitt with Strings: A Tribute to Duke Ellington'' (Catalyst) *1978: ''The Sonny Stitt Quintet'' (

Finite Finite is the opposite of infinite. It may refer to: * Finite number (disambiguation) * Finite set, a set whose cardinality (number of elements) is some natural number * Finite verb, a verb form that has a subject, usually being inflected or marke ...

) *1978: ''Sonny Stitt Meets Sadik Hakim'' ( Progressive) *1980: ''Groovin' High'' (

Atlas An atlas is a collection of maps; it is typically a bundle of maps of Earth or of a region of Earth. Atlases have traditionally been bound into book form, but today many atlases are in multimedia formats. In addition to presenting geographic ...

) *1980: ''Atlas Blues "Blow & Ballad"'' (Atlas) *1980: ''Sonny's Back'' (Muse) *1981: '' In Style'' (Muse) *1981: ''Sonny, Sweets and Jaws: Live at Bubbas,'' (

Who's Who in Jazz Who's Who in Jazz was a record label based in New York City, formed by Lionel Hampton in 1977 or 1978, and distributed by the Gillette Madison Company (GEMCON). It specialized in jazz albums and later CDs and released a half dozen recordings of ...

) with

Harry "Sweets" Edison Harry "Sweets" Edison (October 10, 1915 – July 27, 1999) was an American jazz trumpeter and a member of the Count Basie Orchestra. His most important contribution was as a Hollywood studio musician, whose muted trumpet can be heard bac ...

*1981: ''Just in Case You Forgot How Bad He Really Was'' (32 Jazz) *1983: ''The Last Stitt Sessions'' (Muse) *1988: ''Sonny Stitt Featuring Howard McGhee'' (Jazz Life) with

Howard McGhee Howard McGhee (March 6, 1918 – July 17, 1987) was one of the first American bebop jazz trumpeters, with Dizzy Gillespie, Fats Navarro and Idrees Sulieman. He was known for his fast fingering and high notes. He had an influence on younger beb ...

As sideman

With

*''

All Star Sessions ''All Star Sessions'' is an album by saxophonist Gene Ammons recorded between 1950 and 1955 and released on the Prestige label.

'' (Prestige, 1950–55

959 Year 959 ( CMLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Byzantine Empire * April - May – The Byzantines refuse to pay the yearly tribute. A Hungari ...

*''

Jug and Sonny ''Jug and Sonny'' is a compilation album by saxophonist Gene Ammons, with Sonny Stitt featured on two tracks, collecting recordings made between 1948 and 1951, some of which were originally released as singles, that was issued by the Chess label ...

'' (Chess, 1948–51

960 Year 960 ( CMLX) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Byzantine Empire * Summer – Siege of Chandax: A Byzantine fleet with an expeditionary force (co ...

*'' Boss Tenors'' (Verve, 1961) *'' Boss Tenors in Orbit!'' (Verve, 1962) *''

Soul Summit ''Soul Summit'' is an album by saxophonists Gene Ammons and Sonny Stitt with organist Jack McDuff recorded in 1962 and released on the Prestige label.You Talk That Talk! ''You Talk That Talk!'' is an album by saxophonists Gene Ammons and Sonny Stitt recorded in 1971 and released on the Prestige label.God Bless Jug and Sonny ''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.

'' (Prestige, 1973) *''

Left Bank Encores ''Left Bank Encores'' is a live album by saxophonists Sonny Stitt and Gene Ammons recorded in Baltimore in 1973 and released on the Prestige label in 2002.

'' (Prestige, 1973) *'' Together Again for the Last Time'' (Prestige, 1974) With

*'' A Jazz Message'' (Impulse!, 1963) *''

In Walked Sonny ''In Walked Sonny'' is an album by American jazz musicians Sonny Stitt and Art Blakey with The Jazz Messengers. It was released in 1975 on the small independent label Sonet Records and is among the most obscure recordings made by the musicians i ...

'' (

Sonet Synchronous optical networking (SONET) and synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) are standardized protocols that transfer multiple digital bit streams synchronously over optical fiber using lasers or highly coherent light from light-emitting diode ...

, 1975) With

*''Miles Davis in Stockholm 1960 Complete with John Coltrane and Sonny Stitt'' (

, 1992) With

*'' The Modern Jazz Sextet'' (Verve, 1956) with

Skeeter Best Clifton "Skeeter" Best (November 20, 1914 – May 27, 1985) was an American jazz guitarist. Best played in Philadelphia from 1935 to 1940, recording with Slim Marshall and Erskine Hawkins. In 1940, he joined Earl Hines's orchestra, playing with ...

John Lewis John Robert Lewis (February 21, 1940 – July 17, 2020) was an American politician and civil rights activist who served in the United States House of Representatives for from 1987 until his death in 2020. He participated in the 1960 Nashville ...

Percy Heath Percy Heath (April 30, 1923 – April 28, 2005) was an American jazz bassist, brother of saxophonist Jimmy Heath and drummer Albert Heath, with whom he formed the Heath Brothers in 1975. Heath played with the Modern Jazz Quartet throughout ...

and

Charli Persip Charles Lawrence Persip (July 26, 1929 – August 23, 2020), known as Charli Persip and formerly as Charlie Persip (he changed the spelling of his name to Charli in the late 1960s), was an American Jazz drumming, jazz drummer. Biography Born i ...

*''

Duets A duet is a musical composition or piece for two performers. Duets or The Duets may also refer to: Films and television * ''Duets'' (film), a 2000 film, starring Gwyneth Paltrow, Paul Giamatti and Huey Lewis * "Duets" (''Glee''), a 2010 episo ...

'' (Verve, 1957) Quintets featuring Sonny Stitt or Sonny Rollins; with Ray Bryant, Tommy Bryant and Charlie Persip *'' Sonny Side Up'' (Verve, 1957 el. 1959 Sextet featuring Sonny Stitt and Sonny Rollins; with Ray Bryant, Tommy Bryant and Charlie Persip *''

'' (Atlantic, 1971) with Art Blakey,

and Kai Winding *'' The Bop Session'' (Sonet, 1975) with

and

Max Roach Maxwell Lemuel Roach (January 10, 1924 – August 16, 2007) was an American jazz Jazz drumming, drummer and composer. A pioneer of bebop, he worked in many other styles of music, and is generally considered one of the most important drummers in h ...

With

Milt Jackson Milton Jackson (January 1, 1923 – October 9, 1999), nicknamed "Bags", was an American jazz vibraphonist, usually thought of as a bebop player, although he performed in several jazz idioms. He is especially remembered for his cool swinging solo ...

*'' Loose Walk'' ( Palcoscenico, 1980) With Don Patterson *''

Patterson's People ''Patterson's People'' is an album by organist Don Patterson recorded in 1964 and released on the Prestige label.The Boss Men ''The Boss Men'' is an album by organist Don Patterson with saxophonist Sonny Stitt and drummer Billy James recorded in late 1965 and released on the Prestige label.Funk You! ''Funk You!'' is an album by organist Don Patterson (organist), Don Patterson recorded in 1968 and released on the Prestige Records, Prestige label.Brothers-4 ''Brothers-4'' is an album by organist Don Patterson (organist), Don Patterson with saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in 1969 and released on the Prestige Records, Prestige label.Donny Brook ''Donny Brook'' is an album by organist Don Patterson with saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in 1969 and released on the Prestige label.

'' (Prestige, 1969) *'' Tune Up!'' (Prestige, 1964–69) With

* '' The Oscar Peterson Trio with Sonny Stitt, Roy Eldridge and Jo Jones at Newport'' (Verve, 1957) With

Zimbo Trio The Zimbo Trio is a Brazilian instrumental ensemble, established in 1964 in São Paulo, and originally comprising Amilton Godoy (piano), Luís Chaves ( bass) and Rubinho Barsotti (drums). The Trio was one of the most influential groups of Brazilia ...

* ''Zimbo Convida Sonny Stitt'' (Clam, 1979)

References

External links

Sonny Stitt at Verve RecordsBBC - Radio 3 Jazz Profiles - Sonny Stitt
{{DEFAULTSORT:Stitt, Sonny 1924 births 1982 deaths African-American saxophonists American jazz saxophonists American male saxophonists Bebop saxophonists Hard bop saxophonists Miles Davis Quintet members Musicians from Saginaw, Michigan Musicians from Boston Argo Records artists Cobblestone Records artists Verve Records artists Muse Records artists Impulse! Records artists Prestige Records artists Transatlantic Records artists Atlantic Records artists Flying Dutchman Records artists 20th-century American musicians 20th-century saxophonists Jazz musicians from Massachusetts Jazz musicians from Michigan American male jazz musicians Deaths from cancer in Washington, D.C. The Giants of Jazz members Black Lion Records artists HighNote Records artists 20th-century American male musicians