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JazzWords > Sonny Stitt (Biography/Discography)
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Sonny Stitt Biography
Edward "Sonny" Stitt, born February 2, 1924 in Boston, died July 22, 1982 in Washington, D.C.
Played alto, tenor and baritone saxes and recorded, according to most counts, more than 150 albums.
Although disparaged early in his career as a mere imitator of Charlie Parker, he outlived Bird by
more than 25 years and left a recorded legacy the equivalent of only a handful of saxophonists.
He played more tenor saxophone during the '50s to more greatly distance himself from Bird, and his
statements on tenor reflect a heavy influence of Lester Young. Was also a fine baritone player,
with a sound heavier than Gerry Mulligan but less breathy than Serge Chaloff. Stitt gave up the
third horn because he stopped wanting to carry it around. He also introduced an electronic
saxophone (the Varitone) in the 1960s, but it did not catch on and he stopped playing the
Varitone by his seminal Muse recordings of the early 1970s.
He influenced musicians as diverse as Frank Foster, Booker Ervin and Ken Peplowski, according to
their own accounts. Famous for his participation in major "cutting" sessions with everyone, he was
well known for his ability to play quickly and accurately across the most complicated chord changes.
He also knew virtually every popular song and played the blues with authority and feeling. One of
his favorite songs to quote was Stranger in Paradise.
Greatly underrated as a ballad player, he was also penalized later in his career for not being part
of a working, stable group (but he probably worked more and made as much money as a single).
His last major affiliation with his most famous peers occurred in the early '70s, when he toured with
the "Giants of Jazz" group in 1971-72 with Dizzy Gillespie, Kai Winding (trombone), Art Blakey (drums),
Al McKibbon (bass) and Thelonious Monk.
He was nominated for a Grammy for "Tune-Up!" in 1972 in the Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Soloist
category, and posthumously in 1983 for The Last Stitt Sessions, Vol. 1, again in the Best Jazz Instrumental
Performance, Soloist category. He lost the first time to Gary Burton, the second time to Phil Woods.
Recently, when asked who was the toughest player he had come up against, jazz legend Johnny Griffin
said it was Sonny Stitt, "because he knew all of the hip clichés and it caused me to go and practice
in corners, wherever I was for years, until I was able to invite him up on the bandstand to play
with me, without feeling embarrassed with his great presence or feeling intimidated."
In light of this information, you may want to check out the following recordings by Stitt or any
other sessions that included him.
Sonny Stitt Partial Discography Best Bets for Most Listeners
 Genesis (vinyl) - a Prestige two-fer that is out of print.
Sonny Stitt/Bud Powell/J.J. Johnson, 1949-50 - OJCCD 009 (Prestige 7024) (included in Genesis)
Prestige First Sessions, Vol.2 PCD 24115 2 (some included in Genesis)
Live at the Hi-Hat - Vol 1 Feb. 1954 CDP 0777 7 98582 2 4 Roulette CD (out of print)
Live at the Hi-Hat - Vol 2 Feb. 1954 CDP 7243 8 37200 2 6 Roulette CD (out of print)
For Musicians Only, with Diz and Stan Getz 1956 - Verve CD 837 435-2
Sonny Side Up, with Diz and Sonny Rollins 1957 - Verve 825 674-2 CD
Sits in with the Oscar Peterson Trio 1959, 1957 - Verve CD 849 396-2
Sonny Stitt and Friends, How High The Moon - Chess Reissue 0005 1958/64/65
Stitt Plays Bird 1966 - Atlantic CD 1418-2
Made for Each Other, featuring Don Patterson, organ 196? - Delmark 426
Soul People (with Booker Ervin) - Prestige 24127-2 1964/66/69
Tune Up! 1971 - Muse MCD 5334 (Now Endgame Brilliance on 32 Records)
Constellation 1972 - Muse MCD 5323 (Now Endgame Brilliance on 32 Records)
Just Friends - Sonny Stitt/Red Holloway 1977 - Le Jazz CD 40
Last Sessions 1982 - Muse MCD 6003 (Now on 32 Records)
©1999 Dave Leonnig
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