Sonny Stitt - Sensual Sound of Sonny Stitt / Sonny Stitt

2013 European CD reissue.

This release presents two complete original albums by Sonny Stiit. The long unavailable The Sensual Sound of Sonny Stitt (Verve V6-8451; it only appeared before on CD in a long out of print Japanese edition) marks the saxophonist’s only collaboration with Ralph Burns, who arranged all of the tunes and conducted the big band plus a string section. Sonny Stitt and The Top Brass (Atlantic SD1395) combines Sonny’s mastery with an all-star group featuring Blue Mitchell and Jimmy Cleveland, among others, and presenting the work of two other prestigious arrangers, Tadd Dameron and Jimmy Mundy. As a further bonus, the only known tune from a rare session recorded by Stitt shortly before the Top Brass date. It showcases Sonny in a tenor sax duet with Dexter Gordon, and with the great Don Patterson backing them on organ. This was the only studio session by Stitt and Gordon together.