Sonny Stitt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sonny Stitt
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Edward Hammond Boatner Jr. |
| Born | February 2, 1924 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | July 22, 1982 (aged 58) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Saxophone |
| Years active | 1943–1982 |
| Labels | Prestige, Roost, Savoy, Verve, Argo, Impulse!, Atlantic, Roulette, Cadet, Muse, Flying Dutchman, Sonet, Who's Who in Jazz |
| Associated acts | Billy Eckstine, Gene Ammons, Eddie Davis, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis |
Edward Hammond Boatner Jr. (born February 2, 1924 – died July 22, 1982), known as Sonny Stitt, was an American jazz saxophonist. He played in the bebop and hard bop styles. Sonny was famous for his warm sound and recorded over 100 albums.
Jazz writer Dan Morgenstern called him the "Lone Wolf." This was because Sonny toured a lot and loved jazz. But he often played with different musicians. Early in his career, some people thought he sounded like Charlie Parker. However, Sonny Stitt developed his own unique style. This was especially true when he played the tenor saxophone and sometimes the baritone saxophone.
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Sonny Stitt's Early Life and Music
Edward Hammond Boatner Jr. was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He grew up in Saginaw, Michigan. Music was a big part of his family. His father, Edward Boatner, was a singer and music professor. His brother was a piano player. His mother taught piano lessons.
In 1924, Sonny was adopted by the Stitt family. He later started calling himself "Sonny." In high school, he played in a popular local band. It was called the Len Francke Band.
Meeting Charlie Parker
In 1943, Stitt met the famous jazz musician Charlie Parker. Sonny often said they had similar playing styles. Parker reportedly told Stitt, "You sound just like me." Stitt replied, "I can't help the way I sound. It's the only way I know how to play." Another musician, Kenny Clarke, once said that even without Parker, Sonny Stitt would have been a great player.
During the 1940s, Sonny played the alto saxophone. He was part of several big bands. These included Tiny Bradshaw's band and Billy Eckstine's band. He also played with Dizzy Gillespie's big band. Stitt led his own groups, Bebop Boys and Galaxy, in the mid-1940s.
Developing His Own Sound
When Sonny Stitt started playing the tenor saxophone, his unique sound really shined. People stopped saying he was just copying Charlie Parker. He played with other great jazz musicians. These included Horace Parlan and Bud Powell. He also played with Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis in the 1950s. Stitt recorded many albums for labels like Prestige Records and Verve Records.
In the late 1950s, Sonny tried out Afro-Cuban jazz. You can hear this style on some of his recordings. He worked with musicians like Thad Jones and Chick Corea. They played Latin versions of famous songs like "Autumn Leaves."
Collaborations and Tours
In 1952, Stitt played with pianist Jimmy Jones. The next year, he performed with an orchestra. In 1955, under Quincy Jones's guidance, he played fast songs and slow songs. These included "My Funny Valentine" and "Star Dust." He also performed with Hank Jones.
Sonny Stitt briefly joined Miles Davis's band in 1960. You can hear their performances on live recordings from that tour. These include concerts in Manchester and Paris. Miles Davis eventually replaced him in the band. Later in the 1960s, Stitt honored Charlie Parker with his album Stitt Plays Bird.
Sonny Stitt recorded many times with his friend Gene Ammons. Many people think these recordings are some of their best work. Their partnership is famous in jazz history. Stitt also explored soul jazz. He recorded with Booker Ervin on the Soul People album in 1964. He also recorded with Duke Ellington's musician Paul Gonsalves. Stitt often played at Ronnie Scott's club in London.
Sonny Stitt's Later Years
In the 1970s, Sonny Stitt recorded a bit less. But in 1972, he made a classic album called Tune-Up!. Many jazz experts still see it as one of his best records. His playing on it was energetic and exciting, just like his earlier work. In 1971 alone, he recorded four albums. One of these, Just The Way It Was - Live At The Left Bank, showed Stitt playing an electric saxophone for the first time.
Stitt joined a famous group called The Giants of Jazz. This group included Art Blakey, Dizzy Gillespie, and Thelonious Monk. They made albums for labels like Atlantic. Sonny Stitt's very last recordings were made in Japan. He also toured with Red Holloway in the late 1970s. Holloway noticed that Stitt's playing had gotten even better.
In 1981, Stitt performed with George Duvivier and Jimmy Cobb. Six weeks before he passed away, Sonny Stitt made two final recordings. He played with George Duvivier, Jimmy Cobb, and Bill Hardman.
In 1982, Sonny Stitt became ill and passed away on July 22 in Washington, D.C.. He is buried in Fort Lincoln Cemetery in Brentwood, Maryland.
See also
In Spanish: Sonny Stitt para niños
