Biography

Sonny Stitt (1924-1982) excelled on both alto and tenor saxophones. Born in Massachusetts as Edward Hammond Boatner Jr, the Stitt family of Saginaw, Michigan adopted him within a year of his birth. Though on alto Stitt sounded much like Charlie Parker, on tenor he crafted a distinct sound. Throughout his career he collaborated with jazz legends like Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Dizzy Gillespie, and Oscar Peterson. Although he only lasted a short time with Miles Davis’ band, his work with Rollins and Gillespie ranks among the canon of iconic jazz recordings, particularly the track “The Eternal Triangle.” Stitt also found success with fellow tenor saxophonist Gene Ammons, recording with him on several outings. “Blues Up and Down” from “Boss Tenors” (1961) remains one of the best tenor battles ever put on record, and Stitt and Ammons perfectly complement each other’s sounds. Sonny Stitt recorded over 100 albums, making him one of the best-documented saxophonists of his generation.