Sonny Simmons facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sonny Simmons
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Huey Simmons |
| Born | August 4, 1933 Sicily Island, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | April 6, 2021 (aged 87) |
| Genres | Jazz, free jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Alto saxophone, English horn |
| Labels | Contemporary, ESP-Disk, Arhoolie, Qwest, CIMP, Marge, Boxholder, Jazzaway, Marge, Improvising Beings |
Huey "Sonny" Simmons (August 4, 1933 – April 6, 2021) was an American jazz musician. He was known for playing the alto saxophone and English horn. He played a style of jazz called free jazz, which is a very creative and improvisational kind of music.
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The Early Life of Sonny Simmons
Sonny Simmons was born on August 4, 1933, in Sicily Island, Louisiana. He grew up in Oakland, California. There, he started playing the English horn. The English horn is a unique instrument, and only a few musicians, like Sonny, played it in jazz music.
When he was 16, Sonny began playing the alto saxophone. This instrument soon became his main one. Sonny played in an avant-garde style, which means he liked to try new and experimental sounds. He often explored free jazz, a type of jazz where musicians improvise freely without strict rules.
Music and Collaborations
Sonny Simmons worked with many talented musicians. His wife at the time, Barbara Donald, played the trumpet on some of his early albums. These included Staying on the Watch and Music from the Spheres.
He also partnered with Prince Lasha on several recordings. Two of their albums, The Cry! (1963) and Firebirds (1968), were released by Contemporary Records.
Overcoming Challenges and Comeback
For a period, Sonny Simmons faced personal difficulties. These challenges affected his music career and home life. He spent some years playing music on the streets of San Francisco.
However, in the early 1990s, Sonny made a big comeback. He started playing in night clubs again, showing his amazing talent.
His return to music in the mid-1990s was very successful. He released two albums, Ancient Ritual and American Jungle, with Quincy Jones' Qwest Records. He also performed regularly at major jazz festivals in Europe. These included the Moers Festival and the Saalfelden Jazz Festival.
Later Career and Legacy
From the year 2000, Sonny Simmons co-led a group called The Cosmosamatics. He worked with reed player Michael Marcus in this group.
In 2003, a documentary film was made about him. It was called In Modern Time -- a Sonny Simmons Story. In 2008, Sonny received a special award for his lifetime achievements from the American Jazz Foundation.
Sonny Simmons passed away on April 6, 2021, in New York. He left behind a rich legacy of unique and innovative jazz music.
Sonny Simmons' Music
Sonny Simmons created many albums throughout his career. Here are some of his notable works:
Albums as a Leader
- Staying on the Watch (ESP-Disk, 1966)
- Music from the Spheres (ESP-Disk, 1968)
- Ancient Ritual (Qwest/Reprise, 1994)
- American Jungle (Qwest/Warner Bros, 1997)
Albums with The Cosmosamatics
Sonny Simmons also recorded several albums with The Cosmosamatics, alongside Michael Marcus.
- The Cosmosamatics (Boxholder, 2001)
- The Cosmosamatics Two (Boxholder, 2002)
Albums as a Collaborator
Sonny Simmons played on albums with other jazz artists too.
- With Prince Lasha: The Cry! (Contemporary, 1962)
- With Eric Dolphy: Conversations (FM, 1963)
Images for kids
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Sonny Simmons
See also
In Spanish: Sonny Simmons para niños
