Sonny Stitt

Sonny Stitt toured Europe in 1979 with pianist Gerald Price, bassist Don Mosley, and drummer Bobby Durham, though he only made two recordings with this rhythm section, the other of which was a date led by Milt Jackson. The bop giant alternates between alto and tenor sax. On alto, Stitt offers a driving, very bluesy take of "(I'm Afraid) The Masquerade Is Over" and a relaxed bossa nova arrangement of Charlie Parker's "Little Suede Shoes." Switching to tenor sax, he delivers a richly textured take of the standard "I Can't Get Started." The leader also composed four of the songs on the date, showcasing Price extensively in the down-and-dirty "Simone's Blues" and delivering an exuberant tenor solo in the uptempo "Streamline Stanley." Perhaps the greatest surprise is Stitt's rare appearance as a vocalist in his upbeat "Back to My Own Home Town." Less then three years before his death, Sonny Stitt was still at the top of his game. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide