Dizzy Gillespie was not only a great Jazz pioneer and an extraordinary trumpet player, composer, percussionist, band leader and excellent scat singer but a great musical catalyst who understood musical situations and he understood the competitive spirit of tenor saxophonist Sonny Stitt who is paired with the younger titan of the tenor, Sonny Rollins. Both musicians inspire Gillespie to reach beyond himself. Dizzy's rhythm section composed of Ray Bryant on piano, brother Tommy on bass and Charli Persip on drums. Only four selections are on this 1957 recording but it stands as one of those magical moments in Jazz history when everything came together in the studio. The performances are electric and the atmosphere crackles like a legendary after-hour session in some small club. "Sonny Side Up" is a classic and should be essential listening for anyone involved with Jazz.

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