Three classic
Sonny Stitt sessions from 1949-50 are heard here in full.
Stitt, who had been out of action due to his "personal problems," not only made a full-fledged comeback on these dates but debuted on (and stuck exclusively to) tenor rather than playing alto, where he was being assailed as a
Charlie Parker imitator. He is featured on eight titles from a pair of quartet dates with pianist
Bud Powell (who himself is in top form), bassist
Curly Russell, and drummer
Max Roach. In addition,
Stitt is a sideman on a quintet outing headed by trombonist
J.J. Johnson and also including pianist
John Lewis, bassist
Nelson Boyd, and
Roach. Together the latter band performs three of
Johnson's originals plus the original version of
Lewis' "Afternoon in Paris"; all four titles are heard in two versions apiece. Highly recommended for all serious bop collections. ~ Scott Yanow