Born Edward Hammond Boatner Jr. on 2 February 1924, the man who would become Sonny Stitt was an American jazz saxophonist of the bebop/hard bop idiom. Known for his warm tone, he was one of the best-documented saxophonists of his era, recording over 100 albums. He was nicknamed the “Lone Wolf” by jazz critic Dan Morgenstern because of his tendency rarely to work with the same musicians for long, despite his relentless touring and devotion to the craft. Stitt was sometimes regarded as a Charlie Parker mimic early in his career, but he gradually developed his own sound and style, particularly when performing on the tenor saxophone and occasionally even the baritone sax. He was placed for adoption in 1924 by his father and adopted by the Stitt family in Saginaw. He later began calling himself “Sonny”. While in high school in Saginaw, he played in the Len Francke Band, a locally popular swing combo.
DISC ONE
1 Salt And Pepper 7:55
2 S’Posin’ 6:23
3 Theme From Lord Of The Flies 2:28
4 Perdido 12:43
5 Stardust 6:11
6 Sunday 7:58
7 Soul Shack 7:15
8 Love Nest 6:18
9 Hairy 5:57
10 For You 6:57
11 Shadows 5:12
DISC TWO
1 Are You Listening 3:37
2 Amigos 4:42
3 My Little Red Suede Shoes 4:10
4 Ritmo Bobo 6:12
5 I Told You So 5:25
6 Chic 5:20
7 Senor Jones 5:17
8 Autumn Leaves 5:16
9 Slave Maidens 7:35
10 Baion Baby 4:48
11 Estrellita 5:17
12 Blue Blood Ritual 6:15
13 Island Shout 4:31
14 Barefoot Ball 6:26
DISC THREE
1 Flame And Frost 4:35
2 Let’s Play Chess 4:54
3 Double Dip 4:46
4 Our Day Will Come 5:22
5 My Main Man 6:01
6 The Night Has A Thousand Eyes 5:19
7 Broilin’ 4:27
8 My New Baby 7:21
9 Misty 4:34
10 Soul Food 7:52
11 Shangri-La 4:44
12 Mama Don’t Allow It 5:54
13 The Eternal One 5:50
DISC FOUR
1 Soul People 10:00
2 Sonny’s Blues 8:58
3 C-Jam Blues 10:01
4 I Can’t Get Started/The Masquerade Is Over 11:17
5 My Blue Heaven 8:03
6 The Saber 3:15
7 Katea 6:53
8 Fools Rush In 5:33
9 Look Down That Lonesome Road 7:19
10 I Want To Go Home 4:29