Sonny Stitt, Bud Powell, JJ Johnson (1950)

Sonny Stitt, Bud Powell, JJ Johnson (1950)

jazz, | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 195MB

OJC

Allmusic:

This superb CD reissues the complete output of three classic bop sessions including five "new" alternate takes. Sonny Stitt (who plays tenor throughout) is heard in a quintet with trombonist J.J. Johnson, pianist John Lewis, bassist Nelson Boyd and drummer Max Roach (playing three Johnson compositions and the original version of John Lewis's "Afternoon in Paris") and in a quartet with the great pianist Bud Powell, bassist Curly Russell and Max Roach. The latter two sessions are highlighted by rapid versions of "All God's Chillun Got Rhythm," "Strike up the Band" and "Fine and Dandy." Highly recommended music.

Tracks
-1. "All God's Chillun Got Rhythm" (Walter Jurmann, Gus Kahn, Bronisław Kaper) - 2:57
-2. "Sonny Side" - 2:21
-3. "Bud's Blues" - 2:32
-4. "Sunset" - 3:44
-5. "Fine and Dandy" (Paul James, Kay Swift) - 2:39
-6. "Fine and Dandy" [alternate take] (James, Swift) - 2:38 Bonus track on CD reissue
-7. "Strike Up the Band" (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin) - 3:26
-8. "I Want to Be Happy" (Irving Caesar, Vincent Youmans) - 3:09
-9. "Taking a Chance on Love" (Vernon Duke, Ted Fetter, John Latouche) - 2:32
-10. "Afternoon in Paris" (John Lewis) - 3:03
-11. "Afternoon in Paris" [alternate take] (Lewis) - 2:59 Bonus track on CD reissue
-12. "Elora" (J.J. Johnson) - 3:03
-13. "Elora" [alternate take] (Johnson) - 3:07
-14. "Teapot" (Johnson) - 2:43
-15. "Teapot" [alternate take] (Johnson) - 3:01
-16. "Blue Mode" (Johnson) - 3:45
-17. "Blue Mode" [alternate take] (Johnson) - 2:49
* All compositions by Sonny Stitt except as indicated
* Recorded in New York City on October 17, 1949 (tracks 10-17), December 11, 1949 (tracks 1-4) and January 26, 1950 (tracks 5-9)

Personnel
* Sonny Stitt - tenor saxophone
* J. J. Johnson - trombone (tracks 10-17)
* John Lewis (tracks 10-17), Bud Powell (tracks 1-9) - piano
* Nelson Boyd (tracks 10-17), Curly Russell (tracks 1-9) - bass
* Max Roach - drums

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Sonny Stitt - 12! (1972) (eac-log-cover)

Sonny Stitt - 12! (1972)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 270MB

32Jazz

AMG:
Sonny Stitt was in prime form in the early '70s when he recorded two classics: Tune Up and Constellation. 12! from a year later tends to get overlooked but this album is also one of the saxophonist's most rewarding recordings. Assisted by pianist Barry Harris, bassist Sam Jones and drummer Louis Hayes, Stitt (switching between alto and tenor) is in superb form on five standards and two blues; highlights include "I Got It Bad," "Every Tub" and "Our Delight."

Tracks:
-01. 12! 5:21
-02. I Got It Bad 4:16
-03. I Never Knew 6:41
-04. Our Delight 5:29
-05. Night Has a Thousand Eyes 4:55
-06. Blues at the Tempo 6:53
-07. Every Tub 7:11

Personnel:
Sonny Stitt – sax
Barry Harris – piano
Sam Jones – bass
Louis Haye – drums

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Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Sonny Stitt - Sonny Side Up (1957) (eac-log-cover)

Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Sonny Stitt - Sonny Side Up (1957)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 290MB

Verve Master Edition | 20-bit remaster

AMG:
Dizzy Gillespie brings together tenor saxophonists Sonny Stitt and Sonny Rollins for four extended cuts, and in the process comes up with one of the most exciting "jam session" records in the jazz catalog. While the rhythm section of pianist Ray Bryant, bassist Tommy Bryant, and drummer Charlie Persip provides solid rhythmic support, Stitt and Rollins get down to business trading fours and reeling off solo fireworks. Apparently, Gillespie had stoked the competitive fires before the session with phone calls and some gossip, the fallout of which becomes palpable as the album progresses. On "The Eternal Triangle," in particular, Stitt and Rollins impress in their roles as tenor titans, with Stitt going in for sheer muscle as that most stout of bebop cutters and Rollins opting for some pacing as a more thematic player. In the midst of the rivalry (certainly some torch was being passed, since Rollins was soon to become the top tenor saxophonist in jazz), an embarrassment of solo riches comes tumbling out of both these men's horns. Gillespie adds his own split commentary on the proceedings with a casual solo on "After Hours" and a competitively blistering statement on "I Know That You Know." With an at ease rendition of "On the Sunny Side of the Street" rounding things out, Sonny Side Up comes off as both a highly enjoyable jazz set and something of an approximation of the music's once-revered live cutting session.

Tracks:
-1. "On the Sunny Side of the Street" (Jimmy McHugh, Dorothy Fields)5:43
-2. "The Eternal Triangle" (Stitt) 14:10
-3. "After Hours" (Avery Parrish) 12:21
-4. "I Know That You Know" (Vincent Youmans) 5:28

Personnel:
* Dizzy Gillespie - trumpet, vocal (track 1)
* Sonny Stitt - tenor saxophone
* Sonny Rollins - tenor saxophone
* Ray Bryant - piano
* Tommy Bryant - double bass
* Charlie Persip - drums

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