Broadcast on 02-Feb-2015

Sonny Stitt was in many ways a misunderstood Jazz giant and he, at least as far as his alto saxophone work is concerned, had to live with being referred to as a Bird imitator. Stitt had the same musical influences as Charlie Parker but despite some surface similarities, they were very different players. Stitt later took up the tenor saxophone and the baritone saxophone. His tenor playing was equally as distinctive as his alto work. The few recorded evidences of his baritone work were authoritative too. He gave up the big bari stating that it was a pain to lug around! Stitt made hundreds of records usually with just piano, bass and drums. Later he liked the organ, guitar drums format. Stitt wasn't a joiner and formed very few working bands when he did as in the case of our Jazz Feature, they were short lived. This album is one of Stitt's own favorites and it's called "Personal Appearance". The rhythm section had been together for several months and it shows as Stitt had worked with these men for quite a while. The pianist is a young Bobby Timmons, about a year away from joining The Jazz Messengers. Bassist Edgar Willis is pliant and strong and he would later join Ray Charles for many years. Kenny Dennis is the young drummer who went on to record with Miles Davis and others. The program is the usual Stitt fare of great standards and original compositions by Sonny bassed on the blues or I Got Rhythm changes Personal Appearance is one of Sonny's personal bests.