Alto saxophonist William "Sonny" Criss was undeservedly overlooked for most of his rather frustrating career. He truly is one of the very greats on his instrument and a powerful emotionally direct player with a beautiful full singing tone. Sonny's most prolific recording period was the 1960s when in 1965 he was signed with Prestige Records. The seven or so albums he did for that label are all real gems. Most of Sonny's albums are in a quartet or quintet setting with Sonny out front as the single horn. That was his preference. This album on tonight's Jazz Feature is different as it is Sonny with a nine piece band.. The band was formed as a co-operative effort between Sonny and pianist/composer Horace Tapscott. Tapscott wrote and arranged all six pieces to feature Sonny. Tapscott conducted the band. The other soloists are pianist Tommy Flanagan, tenor saxophonist Teddy Edwards and trumpeter Conte Candoli. The other non-soloists are David Sherr on alto saxophone, Pete Christlieb on baritone, Dick Nash on trombone, Ray Draper on tuba, Al McKibbon on bass and Everett Brown Jr. on drums..Kudos to producer Don Schlitten for recording this very short-lived band as it remains a unique recording in the short discography of the great Sonny Criss.

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