Search - Sonny Stitt :: 1946-1950

Classic Bebop

J. A. Stewart | NH, USA | 12/06/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This a great CD of classic performances by Bebop saxophonist Sonny Stitt that I would recommend to any fan of early bebop. Though almost everything on this CD can be found on other CDs by Stitt or Kenny Dorham, hard-core jazz enthusiasts might still want to buy it.
The tracks come from 3 early recording dates in Sonny Stitt's career. The first 9 tracks are from a Savoy session in 1946 featuring trumpeter Kenny Dorham, pianist Bud Powell, and Stitt on alto. These are classics recordings that are essential for any lover of bebop.
The next 8 tracks were recorded in 1948 in Detroit, mostly with vibraphonist Milt Jackson. They are also available as part of the Fantasy/Galaxy reissue, "In the Beginning." The sources for the tracks heard on this CD are different than those used on the Fantasy reissue however, and the sound quality here is vastly superior.
The last 8 tracks come from a 1949 session again with Bud Powell with Stitt playing tenor. These tracks can also be found on the Fantasy/Prestige reissue, "Sonny Stitt/Bud Powell/J.J. Johnson." There are two differences between these two CDs, though. Firstly, the Classics series does not appear to include multiple takes since the alternate take of "Fine and Dandy" (found on the Fantasy CD) is not included here. The other difference is that the version of "Strike Up the Band" on the Classics CD is different (an alternate version?) than the one found on the Fantasy CD. The quality of the transfers for this session is about the same for both CDs with the exception being the alternate version of "Strike Up the Band," which isn't as good.
All in all, a great compilation. According to the booklet, Classics will be releasing more Sonny Stitt in the future."