For the second of our Jazz Features spotlighting great voices of the alto saxophone who are either overlooked, underrated or under recorded, we present perhaps the best known exponent of this month's line-up William "Sonny" Criss. Sonny was a passionate player who was influenced by Charlie Parker but whose sound recalled earlier voices of the instrument like Benny Carter or Pete Brown. Sonny had an erratic career and was overlooked at many periods of his life but his mastery was never in doubt. Tonight we present a previously rare quartet date that Sonny did in early 1956 for the small Imperial label. The album was one of three he did for that label and this one was called "Go, Man!". It features some powerful Sonny with another Sonny on piano named Clark. Sonny Clark delivers some wonderful solos too. Leroy Vinnegar is on bass and Lawrence (aka Larence) Marable is on drums. Go, Man! is a great testament to Sonny's confidence, power and absolute virtuosity and individuality. Sonny Criss!

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

Transcript

Related