AVID Jazz continues its Four Classic album series with a re-mastered 2CD release by alto saxophonist, Sonny Criss, complete with original artwork and liner notes
“Jazz U.S.A”; “Plays Cole Porter”; “Go Man!” and “At The Crossroads”
Imagine, you’re 15 years old living in Memphis, suddenly you move to L.A. and within 4 years you are playing alto sax in the Howard McGhee band with no less a jazz legend than Charlie Parker! Of course, Sonny was heavily influenced by “Bird” but that did not stop him from developing his own bluesy style of playing. It also did not stop him from drifting around the country playing in various R’n’B and jazz bands led by the likes of Johnny Otis, Stan Kenton and Billy Eckstine. Finally signed to R’n’B label Imperial in 1956, Sonny’s first album (and our first selection) Jazz U.S.A was considered “ a true underground classic of the hard bop era”. Musicians joining Sonny on our four selections include, Kenny Drew, Barney Kessel, Sonny Clark, Leroy Vinnegar and Wynton Kelly. Not a bad line up!
CD1
1-12: ‘Jazz USA’
1. Willow Weep For Me
2. These Foolish Things
3. Blue Friday
4. Sunday
5. More Than You Know
6. Easy Living
7. Alabamy Bound
8. Something’s Gotta Give
9. West Coast Blues
10. Criss-Cross
11. Ham’s Blues
12. Sweet Georgia Brown
13-22: ‘Plays Cole Porter’
13. I Love You
14. Anything Goes
15. Easy To Love
16. It’s Alright With Me
17. In The Still Of The Night
18. Love For Sale
19. Night And Day
20. Just One Of Those Things
21. What Is This Thing Called Love
22. I Get A Kick Out Of You
CD2
1-12: ‘Go Man’
1. Summertime
2. Memories Of You
3. Wailin’ With Joe
4. How Deep Is The Ocean
5. The Blues For Rose
6. The Man I Love
7. Until The Real Thing Comes Along
8. Blue Prelude
9. After You’ve Gone
10. Come Rain Or Come Shine
11. How High The Moon
12. If I Had You
13-19: ‘At The Crossroads’
13.Sweet Lorraine
14. You Don’t Know
15. I Got It Bad
16. Sylvia
17. Softly
18. Butts Delight
19. Indiana
