The great Sonny Stitt was a true master of the alto and tenor saxophone and yet was saddled by some critics as being "an imitator". On alto he bore some superficial similarities to Charlie Parker but that was as he said, "Bird and I listened to the same cats and were influenced by them". On the larger tenor his influences were less clear and he wasn't criticized as much but because of his flowing ideas and his formidable technique but he was often accused of being "glib". Somehow he couldn't win and yet every prominent saxophone player listed Stitt as one of their favorites. Stitt recorded a lot and mostly in quartet settings with piano, bass and drums or with organ, guitar and drums, Here is one of his finest dates done in May 1957 with a short-lived working band with a young Bobby Timmons on piano, Edgar Willis on bass and the dynamic yet tasteful Kenny Dennis on drums. Stitt is inspired by the band and has a great day here. The critics loved "Personal Appearance" and so will you! Sonny Stitt forever!

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