Anything from Sonny Stitt sits in with the Oscar Peterson trio. I cant give you anything but love and that whole album is what got me really me hooked to this music
Thank you for a brilliant and right-on-the-dot analysis of Sonny Stitt. I first heard him on '78s' with Gene Ammons playing Stringing the Jug and on Afternoon In Paris with J J Johnson. I heard him live at Ronnie's Old Place when he was pissed out of his mind. For the whole set he played the Head, two choruses, and then played over the I VI IIm7 V7 tag He played Pls Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone - head, tag, head. Next up was Sonny Boy, same structure, but he thought he was still playing Please Don't Talk and so ended with that head. I listen to Stitt when I want to cheer up and Clifford when .... sorry, the word doesn't exist yet.
As an excited teen- budding saxist, early 70s ,I idolized Stitt.I sought him out hung with him several times before his passing.The things he showed me are priceless.Im rushing tonight but if wanted ,I'll elaborate later.Thanks, great work here! Peace
Sonny had relatives in Milwaukee and spent time there as a child. Two of his group of friends were Bunky Green and Frank Morgan. His relatives owned a Jazz club named Boatner's.
Amendment: MY RUN IN WITH A GHOST (or Sonny Stitt faked his own death) Sonny Stitt died on 22 July 1982, or at least that what history records. However, in 1984 maybe 1985, I had been crappy at school and got booted out for a year, I was 16. I went to work at an ice cream shop in New York City's lower west side. Greenwich Village. At work one day an elderly black man with wild hair and a white woman, I remember a tall blonde came into the shop, the man was slinging a saxophone case. I exclaimed, that I play the saxophone too. He grabbed my hand and pulled it across the counter toward him and ever so gently blew on it. He said, "that is how hard you ever need to blow" . Since I was just getting to know my players, I asked him for his name. He said in a defiant tone "Sonny Stitt". Never heard of him. Sonny Rollins sure but, Stitt, nah. After my shift, I went to Tower Records, and looked him up, identifying a photo on a CD, yep that's him. Only on the back, of the CD it said Stitt had been dead for three years. You can't fake that hair. I swear that's how it went down. I need to take his advice. So, there is my wierd, eerie Stitt story.
1967stp - wow, what a cool story! Love it. Best comment ever I think. Thanks 😎 Btw, check out my Sonny Rollins Sax legend as well if you liked the Stitt one.
@@jazzygiraffe8589 That is exactly as it happened I swear, by all that let's me breathe. If you triangulate my story, I don't know how much you know, or remember yesteryear New York City, but I specifically mention Tower Records. Which, wasn't a place in 1982. In 1982, the best place to purchase records, in that area, was a place on 8th street, which I have since forgotten the name of. Plus, sure I can see an Elvis impersonator, but a Sonny Stit impersonator; give me a break! It is just what happened. Maybe Stit faked his own death as an avant garde move, I just don't know. All I know is that that happened.
Correction of some often repeated misconceptions: the Stitt family that adopted him was compromised of music teacher parents, classical pianists. Older siblings were classical pianists. Sonny heard family practicing before he could walk. His ear training was earlier and deeper than Bird. Although four years younger , Sonny's development was earlier and contemporaneously parallel to the Yard Bird. Sonny was NEVER booed off any stage. The additional passing tones of jazz improvisation is a pre bop development like swing phrasing , quotes and melodic paraphrase. Sonny's heavy smoking did him in. He had a house on 16th St Washington DC in late 70's till he died . He Was an ORIGINAL!!!!
I hung out with him as an aspiring Saxist.What an original he was!!! Laughs..long live Stitt, my hero for 15-18 years.In 99-2000, I was in Trumpeter, arranger Sam Bivens Orch. Denver. Sam is on one of Sonnys later albums.I still play several "patterns" a term he disliked.Ill teach you to tell a story ..no licks & patterns he adamantly stated scowling at me the 1st night I met him.Come on, let's go to my dressing room.Once I told him of my mother loving unrecorded so much, her & myself listening for hours weekly.He became Warmed somehow.HE Ignored all the other young racists the rest of that 1st night .At 20, I was his sidekick & helper..loved it!!!
I had the chance to catch him at Bakers in Detroit. A great story teller, but had a bit to much to drink. Didn't seem to hurt his playing one bit. One of the greatest I've ever heard. Stitt lives
That's great thanks a lot! Just transcribing a Sonny solo (actually just his interpretation of the head that's enough for me!) but wanted to know a bit more about him. Concise and very informative thank you :)
Some of my favorite Sonny: “Tune Up” from the 1972 album of the same name - clinic on how to play ii V I changes “Idaho” from same album “What’s New” from his 1st Varitone album 1966 “Spinning” great alto blues from guessing mid to late 50s I have it on a Roulette compilation box set
If you enjoyed learning about Sonny Stitt go and get educated about more sax legends here...
ruclips.net/p/PLBRGEAheQrpmw9XcFh7pwx-Ljq4nVasnS
:-)
Anything from Sonny Stitt sits in with the Oscar Peterson trio. I cant give you anything but love and that whole album is what got me really me hooked to this music
Yeh awesome. It's good stuff right?
Thank you for a brilliant and right-on-the-dot analysis of Sonny Stitt.
I first heard him on '78s' with Gene Ammons playing Stringing the Jug and on Afternoon In Paris with J J Johnson. I heard him live at Ronnie's Old Place when he was pissed out of his mind. For the whole set he played the Head, two choruses, and then played over the I VI IIm7 V7 tag He played Pls Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone - head, tag, head. Next up was Sonny Boy, same structure, but he thought he was still playing Please Don't Talk and so ended with that head.
I listen to Stitt when I want to cheer up and Clifford when .... sorry, the word doesn't exist yet.
Fantastic comment - really lovely!
As an excited teen- budding saxist, early 70s ,I idolized Stitt.I sought him out hung with him several times before his passing.The things he showed me are priceless.Im rushing tonight but if wanted ,I'll elaborate later.Thanks, great work here! Peace
Wow. Lucky you. 🙏🏻
Sonny had relatives in Milwaukee and spent time there as a child. Two of his group of friends were Bunky Green and Frank Morgan. His relatives owned a Jazz club named Boatner's.
Thanks 🙏🏻
Amendment: MY RUN IN WITH A GHOST (or Sonny Stitt faked his own death) Sonny Stitt died on 22 July 1982, or at least that what history records. However, in 1984 maybe 1985, I had been crappy at school and got booted out for a year, I was 16. I went to work at an ice cream shop in New York City's lower west side. Greenwich Village. At work one day an elderly black man with wild hair and a white woman, I remember a tall blonde came into the shop, the man was slinging a saxophone case. I exclaimed, that I play the saxophone too. He grabbed my hand and pulled it across the counter toward him and ever so gently blew on it. He said, "that is how hard you ever need to blow" . Since I was just getting to know my players, I asked him for his name. He said in a defiant tone "Sonny Stitt". Never heard of him. Sonny Rollins sure but, Stitt, nah. After my shift, I went to Tower Records, and looked him up, identifying a photo on a CD, yep that's him. Only on the back, of the CD it said Stitt had been dead for three years. You can't fake that hair. I swear that's how it went down. I need to take his advice. So, there is my wierd, eerie Stitt story.
1967stp - wow, what a cool story! Love it. Best comment ever I think. Thanks 😎 Btw, check out my Sonny Rollins Sax legend as well if you liked the Stitt one.
1967stp Very interesting.
@@jazzygiraffe8589 That is exactly as it happened I swear, by all that let's me breathe. If you triangulate my story, I don't know how much you know, or remember yesteryear New York City, but I specifically mention Tower Records. Which, wasn't a place in 1982. In 1982, the best place to purchase records, in that area, was a place on 8th street, which I have since forgotten the name of. Plus, sure I can see an Elvis impersonator, but a Sonny Stit impersonator; give me a break! It is just what happened. Maybe Stit faked his own death as an avant garde move, I just don't know. All I know is that that happened.
1967stp I wasn't being sarcastic. I believe you, and I think it is very interesting.
@@jazzygiraffe8589 I didn't think you were being sarcastic. I just wanted to elaborate on the happening, sorry if I came off as defensive.
Correction of some often repeated misconceptions: the Stitt family that adopted him was compromised of music teacher parents, classical pianists. Older siblings were classical pianists. Sonny heard family practicing before he could walk. His ear training was earlier and deeper than Bird. Although four years younger , Sonny's development was earlier and contemporaneously parallel to the Yard Bird. Sonny was NEVER booed off any stage. The additional passing tones of jazz improvisation is a pre bop development like swing phrasing , quotes and melodic paraphrase. Sonny's heavy smoking did him in. He had a house on 16th St Washington DC in late 70's till he died . He Was an ORIGINAL!!!!
Thanks for that wonderful in-depth knowledge. Much appreciated. And I agree!
I hung out with him as an aspiring Saxist.What an original he was!!! Laughs..long live Stitt, my hero for 15-18 years.In 99-2000, I was in Trumpeter, arranger Sam Bivens Orch. Denver. Sam is on one of Sonnys later albums.I still play several "patterns" a term he disliked.Ill teach you to tell a story ..no licks & patterns he adamantly stated scowling at me the 1st night I met him.Come on, let's go to my dressing room.Once I told him of my mother loving unrecorded so much, her & myself listening for hours weekly.He became Warmed somehow.HE Ignored all the other young racists the rest of that 1st night .At 20, I was his sidekick & helper..loved it!!!
I had the chance to catch him at Bakers in Detroit. A great story teller, but had a bit to much to drink. Didn't seem to hurt his playing one bit. One of the greatest I've ever heard. Stitt lives
Nice share, thanks.
Great all the way. If I may add Sonny with Bud Powell and J.J. Johnson. They do "all Gods Children Got Rhythm " and "Fine and Dandy"
Nice. Love that Bob.
@ Get your Sax Together, very well put and informative. You should continue with these series and definitely do one for John Coltrane 👍
MrMista08 - man, you better believe I’m doing one for Trane! I’m kinda saving it though cos I’ve gotta go epic on that one!!! 🤘🏻
Whoo- good one, Jamie! Gotta delve into this soon
Awesome!
Stitt...Sensational sax artist. Died way too soon...like so many other greats!
😢
That's great thanks a lot! Just transcribing a Sonny solo (actually just his interpretation of the head that's enough for me!) but wanted to know a bit more about him. Concise and very informative thank you :)
Great! You're welcome
Some of my favorite Sonny:
“Tune Up” from the 1972 album of the same name - clinic on how to play ii V I changes
“Idaho” from same album
“What’s New” from his 1st Varitone album 1966
“Spinning” great alto blues from guessing mid to late 50s I have it on a Roulette compilation box set
Wicked man. Great tracks.
Great l.p., one of my early exposures to Sonny!
Superb lesson thanks very much.
Andrew Wright - you’re welcome! 😎
Hi Jamie, Awesome video, your way to present the sax legends is moving since it always shows the human side. The lick is fun. Thanks for this jewel!
Nestor Fernández - thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. 👍🏻
Is? I think you mean was....
Hmmm. Pedantry eh? Ok - how about if you played me some Sonny Stitt, you would say "this is Sonny Stitt" and I might say "Who is Sonny Stitt"? No? lol