Sonny Stitt - Playing Arrangements From The Pen Of Johnny Richards

Here are eight new Sonny Stitt sides guaranteed to please the most discreet jazz audience. If you like jazz, then this album will be one of your favorites because it is one of Sonny's swingin'est. 

At a time when "devices" are affecting the entire musical world, with echo chambers in the pop field and the odd combinations of instruments to create a "new" sound in the jazz field, it is refreshing to hear simplicity. 

In this album, you’ll hear the arrangements of Johnny Richards, considered one of the most outstanding contemporary composers of modern music. Formerly the arranger of the Boyd Raeburn Band, he also wrote for Paramount Studios. In the past year, most of his composition activity has centered with the Stan Kenton Band and at present he is free-lancing. 

This album is great for three reasons — the fine arranging of Johnny Richards, the musical prowess of the Sidemen appearing here, and the ever great saxophone of Sonny Stitt. If there be a third dimension in the musical world, it would be Stitt whose baritone, tenor and alto saxophone talent are such that he is acclaimed throughout the jazz world. *Shirley Hoskins (Liner notes)*

One of the most important Sonny Stitts albums. Backing his superb work on alto and tenor are a band conducted by Johnny Richards, one of the finest jazz arrangers. Two sessions from 1953, where 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.

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. *Jordi Pujol*

Sonny blowing clean and soulfully, over larger arrangements by Johnny Richards – in a format that's quite different than any of his other records! The Richards touch is wonderful here – mellow and warm, with some Kentonite styles, but cleaner and leaner, in a way that works perfectly with Stitt's horn. Titles include "Hooke's Tours", "Loose Walk", "Pink Satin", "Opus 202", "Sweet And Lovely", and "Sancho Panza".  Stitt's in top form, and solos with creativity and imagination that show him at the top of his talents!  *dustygroove.com*

Side 1

1 - Sancho Panza

(J. Richards)

2 - Sweet And Lovely

(Amheim, Daniels, Tobias)

3 - Hooke's Tours

(Stitt, Richards)

4 - If I Could Be With You (One Hour Tonight)

(Creamer, Johnson)

Side 2

5 - Loose Walk

(Stitt, Richards)

6 - Pink Satin

(Stitt, Richards)

7 - Shine On Harvest Moon

(Bayes-Norworth)

8 - Opus 202

(Stitt, Richards)

Johnny Richards (arrangements, conductor)

#1 to #4:

Sonny Stitt (alto and tenor saxes), Don Elliott (mellophone), Kai Winding (trombone), Sid Cooper (tenor sax, piccolo), George Berg (baritone sax), Horace Silver (piano), Charles Mingus (bass), Don Lamond (drums).

Recorded at Coastal Recording, New York City, March 18, 1953.

#5 to #8:

Sonny Stitt (alto and tenor saxes), Don Elliott (mellophone), Kai Winding (trombone), Jerry Sanfino (tenor sax, piccolo), George Berg (baritone sax), Al Williams (piano), Charles Mingus (bass), Jo Jones (drums), Santos Miranda (conga).

Recorded at Fulton Studios, New York City, November 16, 1953.