Existing comment:
Sonny Stitt, 1924-1982
The playing style of alto saxophonist Sonny Stitt so closely resembled Charlie Parker's that he was widely regarded as Parker's principal imitator and even his inheritor. Insistent that he had developed his technique independent of Parker's influence, Stitt eventually moved to the tenor saxophone in an effort to distinguish himself. He got his start performing with touring bands in the early 1940s and played briefly with Billy Eckstine's formative bebop band before joining Dizzy Gillespie's big band in 1946. Stitt made his first memorable recordings -- including "Oop Bop Sh'Bam" -- when he took Charlie Parker's place in the sextet drawn from Gillespie's larger group. He engaged in friendly "duels" while working intermittently (1949–55) with tenor saxophonist Gene Ammon and later toured with "Jazz at the Philharmonic" (1958–59). For the remainder of his career, Stitt moved easily from one ensemble to another, playing primarily in pickup groups or bands that he fronted. |