Sonny Stitt - Plays arrangements from the pen of Johnny Richards and Quincy Jones

2011 release

This CD set contains two of Sonny Stitts earliest, most important albums. Backing his superb work on alto and tenor are bands conducted by two of the finest jazz arrangers: Johnny Richards, and Quincy Jones in one of his first and best efforts in the field.

On the two sessions from 1953, Richards provides interestingly harmonized ensemble colours, and though Stitt gets most of the solo space, Kai Winding, Don Elliott, and the rhythm section also deliver some of the sets most memorable moments. The 1955 sessions are, if anything, even better. Quincy Jones's writing is crystal clear; clean, swinging, and beautifully constructed. Stitt is again the main soloist, playing alto his best instrument but there are significant contributions from Hank Jones, Oscar Pettiford, and Jimmy Nottingham throughout.

With the power of his playing, the irresistible impact of his emotion, and the implacable certainty of his beat, Stitt proved to be the best of all those who blew directly in the Parker idiom.

Personnel:
Sonny Stitt (as, ts), Joe Newman, Thad Jones, Jimmy Nottingham, Ernie Royal (tp), Kai Winding, J.J. Johnson, Jimmy Cleveland (tb), Sid Cooper, Jerry Sanfino, Seldon Powell (ts), George Berg, Cecil Payne (bs), Al Williams, Horace Silver, Hank Jones (p), Freddie Green (g), Oscar Pettiford, Charles Mingus (b), Don Lamond, Jo Jones (d), Johnny Richards, Quincy Jones (arr, dir)