This CD set contains two of Sonny Stitts earliest, most important albums. Backing his superb work on alto and tenor are bands conducted by two of the finest jazz arrangers: Johnny Richards, and Quincy Jones in one of his first and best efforts in the field.
On the two sessions from 1953, Richards provides interestingly harmonized ensemble colours, and though Stitt gets most of the solo space, Kai Winding, Don Elliott, and the rhythm section also deliver some of the sets most memorable moments. The 1955 sessions are, if anything, even better. Quincy Joness writing is crystal clear; clean, swinging, and beautifully constructed. Stitt is again the main soloist, playing alto his best instrument but there are significant contributions from Hank Jones, Oscar Pettiford, and Jimmy Nottingham throughout.
With the power of his playing, the irresistible impact of his emotion, and the implacable certainty of his beat, Stitt proved to be the best of all those who blew directly in the Parker idiom.
—Jordi Pujol
Tracklist
Total time: 56:47 min.
01. Sancho Panza (Johnny Richards) 2:57
02. Sweet and Lovely (Amheim-Daniels-Tobias) 2:58
03. If I Could Be with You (Johnson-Creamer) 2:21
04. Hooke's Tours (Richards-Stitt) 2:50
05. Loose Walk (Sonny Stitt) 2:52
06. Pink Satin (Richards-Stitt) 2:57
07. Shine On Harvest Moon (Bayes-Norworth) 2:33
08. Opus 202 (Richards-Stitt) 2:46
09. My Funny Valentine (Rodgers-Hart) 3:27
10. Lover (Rodgers-Hart) 3:26
11. Sonny's Bunny (Sonny Stitt) 3:59
12. Love Walked In (George Gershwin) 4:04
13. If You Could See Me Now (Dameron-Sigman) 4:30
14. Quince (Sonny Stitt) 6:59
15. Come Rain or Come Shine (Arlen-Mercer) 4:20
16. Stardust (Carmichael-Parish) 3:10
Album details
Sources:
Tracks #1-8, from the original 10-inch album
"Sonny Stitt Playing Arrangements From The Pen of Johnny Richards" (Roost RLP 415)
Tracks #9-16, from the original 12-inch album
"Sonny Stitt Plays Arrangements From The Pen of Quincy Jones" (Roost LP 2204)
Personnel on tracks #1-4:
Sonny Stitt (alto sax, tenor on #1 & 4), Don Elliott (mellophone), Kai Winding (trombone), Sid Cooper (tenor sax, piccolo), George Berg (baritone sax), Horace Silver (piano), Charles Mingus (bass), Don Lamond (drums).
Johnny Richards (conductor & arranger).
Recorded at Coastal Recording, New York City, on March 18, 1953
Personnel on tracks #5-8:
Sonny Stitt (alto sax, tenor on #5 & 8), Don Elliott (mellophone), Kai Winding (trombone), Jerry Sanfino (tenor sax, piccolo), George Berg (baritone sax), Al Williams (piano), Charles Mingus (bass), Jo Jones (drums), Santos Miranda (conga).
Johnny Richards (conductor & arranger).
Recorded at Fulton Studios, New York City, November 16, 1953
Personnel on tracks #9-12:
Sonny Stitt (alto sax), Jimmy Nottingham, Ernie Royal (trumpets), J.J. Johnson (trombone), Anthony Ortega (flute, alto sax), Seldon Powell (tenor sax), Cecil Payne (baritone sax), Hank Jones (piano); Freddie Green (guitar), Oscar Pettiford (bass), Jo Jones (drums). Quincy Jones (conductor & arranger).
Recorded in New York City, on September 30, 1955
Personnel on tracks #13-16:
Sonny Stitt (alto sax), Thad Jones, Joe Newman (trumpet), Jimmy Cleveland (trombone), Anthony Ortega (flute, alto sax), Seldon Powell (tenor sax), Cecil Payne (baritone sax), Hank Jones (piano), Freddie Green (guitar), Oscar Pettiford (bass), Jo Jones (drums). Quincy Jones (conductor & arranger).
Recorded in New York City, on October 9, 1955
Liner notes by Shirley Hoskins (1953), and Barry Ulanov (1955)
Cover designs by Burt Goldblatt
Original recordings produced by Teddy Reig
This reissue produced by Jordi Pujol and 'Beethoven' Jean-Michel
© 2011 by Fresh Sound Records
Hi Fi · 24-Bit Digitally Remastered
Blue Moon Producciones Discograficas, S.L.
