Sonny Stitt, Paul Gonsalves

Biography

Sonny Stitt (born Edward Stitt, February 2, 1924, Boston, Massachusetts) was a masterful American jazz saxophonist celebrated for his work in bebop and hard bop. Raised in a musical family in Saginaw, Michigan, Stitt began his musical journey on piano before switching to clarinet and then alto saxophone. His early career was shaped by encounters with jazz legends such as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Billy Eckstine, and he quickly became known for his technical prowess and innovative improvisation. Stitt's style, while initially compared to Parker, evolved into a distinctive voice on alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones, and he was one of the few to experiment with the electric saxophone. Over his prolific career, he recorded more than one hundred albums, earning the nickname 'The Lone Wolf' for his relentless touring and devotion to jazz. Stitt passed away on July 22, 1982, in Washington, D.C., leaving a legacy that shaped the modern jazz saxophone sound.[1][5][7][9]

Paul Gonsalves (July 12, 1920, Brockton, Massachusetts – May 15, 1974, London, England) was a renowned American tenor saxophonist best known for his long association with Duke Ellington. Gonsalves grew up in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and began his career as a guitarist before switching to tenor saxophone. After serving in the Army during World War II, he played with Sabby Lewis, Count Basie, and briefly with Dizzy Gillespie. In 1950, Gonsalves joined the Duke Ellington Orchestra, where his bold, harmonically sophisticated style became a cornerstone of Ellington's sound. His legendary 27-chorus solo at the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival on 'Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue' is credited with revitalizing Ellington's career and remains one of the most celebrated moments in jazz history. Gonsalves also collaborated widely as a leader and sideman, recording with artists such as Sonny Stitt, Nat Adderley, and Ray Charles.[3][4]

Stitt and Gonsalves crossed paths in the early 1960s, notably on the album 'Salt and Pepper' (1963, Impulse!), which showcased their complementary saxophone styles and mutual respect. Both artists were pivotal in the evolution of jazz saxophone, influencing generations of musicians with their technical brilliance, expressive improvisation, and commitment to the art form.[4][6]

Fun Facts

• Sonny Stitt was one of the first jazz musicians to experiment with the electric saxophone.
• Paul Gonsalves played a legendary 27-chorus solo at the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival, which helped revive Duke Ellington's career.
• Stitt was known as 'The Lone Wolf' due to his relentless touring and independence.
• Gonsalves received the nickname 'The Strolling Violins' from Ellington for his habit of playing solos while walking through the crowd.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Charlie Parker - Major stylistic influence and peer; Stitt met Parker in 1943 and was often compared to him throughout his career. (Stitt Plays Bird) [1940s-1950s]
• Lester Young - Influence on Stitt's phrasing and tone; Young's cool style helped shape Stitt's approach. (General stylistic influence) [1940s]
• Duke Ellington - Band leader and mentor to Gonsalves; Ellington provided a platform for Gonsalves' development and signature sound. (Ellington at Newport) [1950-1974]

Key Collaborators

• Billy Eckstine - Stitt played in Eckstine's big band alongside future bop pioneers. (Eckstine's big band recordings) [1945-1949]
• Gene Ammons - Frequent recording partner and friend; their dueling saxophone albums are highly regarded. (Boss Tenors, You Talk That Talk!) [1950s-1970s]
• Dizzy Gillespie - Stitt and Gonsalves both played with Gillespie's big band. (Gillespie's big band recordings) [1940s]
• Miles Davis - Stitt briefly joined Davis's quintet in 1960. (Live at Stockholm) [1960]
• Paul Gonsalves - Collaborated with Stitt on 'Salt and Pepper' and other sessions. (Salt and Pepper (1963)) [1963]
• Nat Adderley - Gonsalves recorded with Adderley in the 1960s. (Tell It the Way It Is!) [1963]
• Ray Charles - Gonsalves recorded as a sideman with Charles. (Various sessions) [1960s-1970s]

Artists Influenced

• John Coltrane - Stitt's innovative approach influenced Coltrane's development. (General stylistic influence) [1950s]
• Branford Marsalis - Stitt's modern saxophone sound laid the foundation for Marsalis's style. (General stylistic influence) [1980s-present]
• Kenny Garrett - Inspired by Stitt's bebop and hard bop techniques. (General stylistic influence) [1980s-present]
• Joshua Redman - Redman cites Stitt as an influence on his approach to jazz saxophone. (General stylistic influence) [1990s-present]
• Courtney Pine - Stitt's legacy influenced Pine's modern jazz saxophone sound. (General stylistic influence) [1980s-present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Liza (All The Clouds'll Roll Away) (Kaleidoscope)
2. Just Friends (Saxophone Supremacy)
3. Can't We Be Friends (Kaleidoscope)
4. Nice Work If You Can Get It (Stitt's Bits: The Bebop Recordings, 1949-1952)
5. Taking A Chance On Love (Stitt's Bits: The Bebop Recordings, 1949-1952)
6. All Of Me (Saxophone Supremacy)
7. On a Slow Boat to China (The Sonny Side of Stitt)
8. Low Flame (Low Flame (Hd Remastered))
9. Later (Kaleidoscope)
10. Liza (Bebop Story, Vol. 61)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia