"Lover Man"Sonny Stitt,Walter Bishop,Tommy Potter,Kenny Clarke.

[@emilianoturazzi]

why people said Stitt was a copycat??? He was a fine and deep and wholly personal alto player. Influenced by Bird? yes who wasn't in his generation.

[@hisongpark]

You are a very wise person.

[@johnnyloungejazz5477]

I think Phil Woods copied Sonny. Regardless Mr. Still was a F Genius

[@thetwelfthman8439]

Agreed. And ANY good sax player should be influenced by bird

[@damirlolic1489]

The first time I heard this tune as a chubby little kid at my grandmas house in Vienna, I cried like a baby. For no reason at all. The music just moved me. Thank you Sonny Stitt & crew for getting me into jazz.

[@braintreecat]

Sonny -is there anyone like him since? I challenge my jazz sax students to do extensive listening. It's all there-style, sound, phrasing, ideas. A true giant!

[@terrryc]

I never had any real idea as to how to REALLY play the Saxophone until I bought a couple of Stitt Albums for a Dollar apiece at a J.M. Fields Department store in 1970. Ruined me for life....

[@ckvlzlvxch]

If there was ever such a thing as a perfect solo, it would belong to Sonny Stitt

[@jazzartpoet]

I was fortunate enough to meet him once, in the 70's. What a fun character he was, prone to "Cutting" lesser players off the stage, etc. He asked us if we were musicians. He asked how long we had played. I said over 10 years. He said: "You are like a ten year old to me!" He also asked, what is a whole note. I started to explain my answer, and he said: "NO!...It's a circle with a line through it, stupid"! His playing was magnificent and transcendent! He is one of my top 5 favorite sax players, especially on alto.

[@Saif.hadad12]

whole note .It's a circle with a line through it sorry but i didnt get it, did you ?

[@ckvlzlvxch]

as in the music note on the page

[@sophiay.8643]

I mean, the whole note doesn't have a line through it if its a low D or high G on treble cleff.

[@moohapple12]

do the staff lines count though? I reckon he meant the staff lines that cut through the circles

[@Gregorypeckory]

That would make no sense for the notes in the spaces. If he really did make that joke (who trusts the authority of random youtube comments asserting something there is no way to fact check?), it falls flat on the retelling; maybe context made it okay, but it sounds lame now, especially calling someone stupid for not answering with his strange, incorrect answer.

[@terrryc]

I hope that this vid explains why Sonny Stitt is my favorite Alto player...

[@ronthedon5317]

My 5 major influences: Sonny Stitt, Johnny Hodges, Ben Webster, Dexter Gordon, Lucky Thompson. In that order!

[@markhiggins8315]

@@ronthedon5317 Not bad at all. For the record mine are Mr Stitt, Charlie Parker, Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon,Bud Powell and John Coltrane. Obviously there are a fair few others that have influenced my playing but Sonny is probably my greatest inspiration as a musician.

[@markhiggins8315]

@@ronthedon5317 Sorry I should really have mentioned Lester Young and Coleman Hawkins as they also had quite an impact on how I function as a player but again it goes to show that there are so many great masters of the art. I could probably go on to list a fair few more but I've probably bored you enough and I'll just reiterate that Sonny Stitt is my biggest single influence. I do find it interesting to hear other musicians inspirations and influences.

[@ronthedon5317]

@@markhiggins8315 Amen to that! To be completely honest, I love all of the Greats of Jazz, but... There's something that just speaks to me with ones such as Stitt, Gordon, and especially Lester Young (love hearing him play the Blues)... I learn something new from them everytime I return to any one of them!

[@exjazzbassbaz]

sonny stitt was the business.in total command of his instrument.one of THE great saxophone players of all time.like he said bird left him the key.nice post..

[@johnbrown1851]

Much respect to Mr Stitt. Bringing so much beauty into the world 🌎

[@bill3837]

r u kiddin me that was freakin awesome .that sound, those lines that rhythym oh my god. it brought a tear to my eye. thank you Sonny Stitt thank you thank you

[@spacebuffalo]

Sonny Stitt is awesome!! I've been a fan for a long time.

[@nadineemmacohen7786]

ME TOO !

[@kczbluesman]

And me three

[@saxophonesplayjazz59]

Count me in on that

[@pierrechaouat]

Working on a Sonny Stitt's chorus equals to a masterclass per se. Not only he has worked intensely on Bird's vocabulary, but his impeccable phrasé allows to follow his choruses like a melody...

[@vincentlavorgna2867]

It's reassuring to see that 136,000 people have viewed this video of the amazing Sonny Stitt. Apparently there are still a lot of us who understand

[@rlm5657]

Yes sir.......I often watch it at bedtime.

[@charlesmiller7283]

He does sound like Charlie Parker but that's not BAD, that sound should never die out....

[@spensert4933]

Yah and he's so deep into this song it seems like it was written for him.

[@bjornjanlert1013]

@@spensert4933 I agree !

[@princeandrey]

An unsung hero!

[@SAXPREACHER]

I use to go and see him everytime he played at the Jazz Showcase on rush street in Chicago. I rember going to the store for him to get cigarettes.

[@theodorepullins3124]

SAXPREACHER WOW AWESOME 👏

[@Shooters141]

That is way cool dude.

[@DavidByrdandByrdsofaFeather]

I used to go to his jam session on east 79th street at the Grass Hut and get my ass handed to me. He never would sugar coat his opinion of your playing, but he was a beautiful cat. He would drop pearls that stay with me to this day. El Gato

[@DavidByrdandByrdsofaFeather]

I used to go to his jam session on east 79th street at the Grass Hut and get my ass handed to me on Mondays. He never would sugar coat his opinion of your playing, but he was a beautiful cat. Stitt would drop pearls on me that I will never forget. Maximum Respect to El Gato!

[@michealfemino5079]

S. S. is the most underrated musician of all time. If I could play like that, I could die in peace....

[@lawrencemuller8972]

He is not underrated by widely recognized as one of the true giants of jazz, especially on alto (he played also tenor)

[@lawrencemuller8972]

He is not underrated. Many regard him as one of the greatests ever.

[@bigeman25]

This is why I love Sonny.

[@jangunnarolsen5946]

Cool! GREAT music and musicians! Fan since the mid 50's and up to this day (73.yrs old). Stay "cool" folks and DIG!

[@wyndhleodumegwu253]

Dr. Sonny Stitt is in the House. What more can I say?

[@eldorado5960]

The trombonist and announcer - a genius in his own right - was J J Johnson!

[@paulienebz]

this is Stitt essentially playing with Bird's Rhythm Section.. it is so incredibly beautiful.

[@jamesjefferson8353]

I haven’t heard this song in 30 years. It is still on fire Stitt was dope

[@AlexSosaBolivia]

Great tone on alto!

[@ikema781]

This is one of the greatest videos of a Sonny Stitt performance , you get a in depth view of one of the greatest saxophone players ever. Thanks for posting this!

[@theodorepullins3124]

SONNY STITT WAS AWESOME! REST IN POWER SONNY 🎷

[@slimdugger99]

When you hear Stitt on Alto, you automatically know that it’s him. Impeccable timing and effortless technique only are exceeded by his melodic inventiveness in improvising. A jazz giant of the highest order., R.I.P. Sonny.

[@9L252AL]

His music is like a signature. You know it's him. Sweet sax!

[@vincentlavorgna2867]

What a genius he had for jazz. So glad you posted this

[@Frankie-O]

Sonny Rollins is the genius of jazz.

[@edpolk1262]

Always loved Sonny's "singing alto"

[@Shooters141]

Wow!!! Just blew my mind. So beautiful!

[@Bulletisred]

Man smooth as silk, Sonny and Cannonball are my favorites. Can listen for centuries.

[@JazzPublicist]

One of the very best Alto Sax players ever. So soulful, you feel everything he's saying. So under rated. I collect all Stitt recordings, video's and photos. Got any?

[@erginyilmaztenor]

So melodic, so sensitive. I love him

[@coajrmusic]

Picking one word, I go with "wow". Stitt is my all-time favorite. I was inspired many decades ago by his rendition of Mr. Bojangles.

[@JonnyHalfton]

6:28 this guy literally invented the "nation wide is on your side" jingle just doing an improv outro... genius

[@boomerang905]

I really loved that! I love Mr. Stitt! 💘

[@NickHemptonBand]

That's how you play the alto. This whole concert is killer. Also appreciate the way JJ pronounces "saxophonist" ;)

[@jazzjackblackskull]

How else would you pronounce it?

[@NickHemptonBand]

Most Americans seem to put the emphasis on the "phone", i.e. Saxophone-ist. Always sounds awkward to me.

[@jazzjackblackskull]

Oh, never heard it pronounced like that.

[@olebirgerpedersen]

I'm so happy that heard him live in Montmartre Copenhagen. An evening I'll never forget. He was a great musician !

[@JamesNifong]

This is beautiful. Brilliant saxophonist.

[@vcharrison63]

Bird, Cannonball, Stitt. Virtuoso Giants on the alto sax. I still get that stank face listening to these articulated runs. Great influences on my playing still.

[@lawrencemuller8972]

I would add Phil.

[@heidegger101]

One of those many horn men who you rarely hear about but were amazing !

[@hairnsap]

Sonny is flowing like a quaint creek then gets bigger and wider than the Mississippi ! Beautiful

[@Listen4u2b]

Mr Stitt ...thank you

[@SamWatts89]

Always so much more there every time I listen to Sonny Stitt, so deep and expressive and effervescent, so much detail.. so much to keep coming back for, the greatest!!

[@H5748awat]

Great, great, great musician.

[@keithmcmahon202]

A great soulful player who just may be the best jazz saxophonist ever.

[@bradfordhammond2837]

Saw him at a Jazz Festival live in '81 + I have heard his recordings many times definatley one of the best ever of all Jazztimes!!!!! lol

[@southpass]

I am dumbfounded & speechless !

[@ckvlzlvxch]

Seriously, play this even in 0.5x time, and Sonny Stitt becomes even more of a freak of nature

[@lastknowngood0]

Not only is Sonny Awesome but Walter Bishop Jr, Tommy Potter and Klook are The Music's Rhythm Dream Team , The Stuff that legends are made off! Salute to the Rhythm Section that never gets to rest! ;-)

[@getzfan1258]

Great stuff. Thanks for posting

[@hremdldw]

This is Sonny meat ,Master at the height of his powers playing with his comtemperies , JJ Johnson ,Kenny "Klook" Clarke , Walter Bishop and Tommy Potter . Listen how Walter sets Sonny up with choice notes rock solid bottom with Tommy and the Father of modern drumming Kenny Clarke .

[@mightyginza3182]

It's Sonny Stitt's birthday anniversary today, 2nd February. What a legend🎀💐👌

[@MariettePetravandenBerg]

FANTASTIC

[@elinemisi3373]

Je ne me lasse pas d'écouter ce génie grandiose.

[@rubengreenberg2253]

Sonny Stitt was one of the greatest.

[@macuser2]

Wow, I haven't seen much video of Sonny or Jug for that matter? This is so nice to see...I saw him at a place in Chicago called the "Plug Nickel" in Oldtown when I was 12...never forgot it...Thanks for posting man!

[@fredajordan5704]

How beautiful this is...

[@eamestv]

One of the greatest in the business and my introduction to jazz alone with Nancy Wilson in the 60s. Got to see him many times.

[@orlandomasise]

Oh tan relajante, increible presentacion...

[@EasyasZizi8035]

Pure artistry.

[@rlm5657]

This is insane!

[@bettygrimm7088]

Sooooo beautiful!!!!!

[@keithmcmahon202]

A great improvisor and unbelievable technique

[@cldavis33]

Holy shat Sonny - greatness off the charts my man - those who want to play like you, no happening without 10k hours focused study.

[@ESmithStringSlinger]

+C Davis Yes. Playing over the changes like Sonny on this one would take that much time. But the soulfulness is all Sonny.

[@cldavis33]

+ESmithStringSlinger Sonny got soul for sure - but his technical and melodic skills are inhuman to me. Him and Bird are the two I hear this genius melodic and technical representation from. Cannonball was close and a beast, just not as clean. But yeah - Sonny has soul. :-)

[@ESmithStringSlinger]

An example of the beauty of music. Sonny channeled it. That's all.

[@DanielStromlandGuitar]

+C Davis I'd say trane also has soul.

[@ESmithStringSlinger]

Dan Stromland Without a doubt. John had a distinct timbre and fast runs were clear. As only 'Trane could do.

[@166Soccerman]

Just awesome....

[@clancykobane9102]

haunting and beautiful

[@mortweiss3151]

One of the greatest solo takes on a tune that I've EVER heard! Mort Weiss SMS JAZZ "The Mort Report" @ All About Jazz

[@saag111]

Beautiful...

[@Merlo_parlante]

Superb

[@thinkbigize]

PURE GENIUS!

[@777ok]

Sweet technique, Sonny!

[@soulsambavideo]

Beautiful

[@Mr.LimaESL]

Genius

[@yugang08]

Sonny Stitt is the shit

[@saxmarko]

you are the shit!

[@yugang08]

Seeing that english might not be your first language, i wonder if you mean this as a compliment or an insult. If you mean this as a insult, then you should know what i said is a compliment to sonny. If your comment to me was a compliment, the same as mine about stitt, then thank you.

[@saxmarko]

thisall cleared, Greetings

[@yugang08]

Dan Horvath serious question, are you trolling?

[@bighornbop]

I say this everyday haha

[@theodorepullins3124]

SALUTE TO ALL THESE MUSICIANS 🎶🎵🎼

[@fffffwwww]

super impressive - wow amazing and beautiful

[@irakey]

You 'r right Sonny was great sax player...This solo is beautiful.

[@gioelseverini2319]

Amazing Stitt!!great cat!!

[@blues-indianer8667]

Many thanks for postimg this wonderful small piece of jazz history! I herad it 3 times now, and discover always more! This guys are awesome, there can't be enough "THAANX" to them (and here also to SOGLIDER)! Well done @ all!

[@gallen2101]

Just awesome.......

[@ronbriglia5788]

OMG - I can’t believe that the last comment was 8 years ago ! Sonny is one of the best sax players in that jazz era . He melodic creativity and tone is phenomenal. You don’t hear the same licks over and over like some sax players …. he tells a story with his alto … he is great on tenor as well. He is my favorite sax player , up there with Dexter Gordon and Charlie Parker …

[@PieInTheSky9]

Well said!

[@djb797]

Saif, I didn't get it per se, but, Sonny was know to be a cutter and a bit of a smart-ass. I just took it as a joke, and feel very fortunate to have heard him live, and to have spoken with him.

[@EasyasZizi8035]

Andy McGhee shared a lot of cool vintage photographs and stories of Sonny Stitt when I studied at Berklee in the early to mid 90s.

[@ohemp]

Phewww!!! Off the chain awesome version of this song!!!!!

[@jorap9116]

2:51 lick oh... my favourite! 😮 so smooth!

[@MsRockett88]

Heavenly

[@breckerman7552]

47 thumbs down??? Go figure...This is an amazing performance.

[@howlnwolf59]

Love Sonny"s music...Saw him 3 time...He came a lot to Scottsdale,Az. Which really supports the Arts...At the Radisen,is the last place I saw him.Sometime in the mid 70"s..Great stuff! Thanks for sharing !!! Looking for "Ghost of a chance"..?

[@sligo405]

Top drawer. Thanks for posting this.

[@nomoname6447]

Superb!!!

[@michaelbarnes2197]

My Man my Brother in the struggle Mr. stitt

[@jay1beaux]

I saw him in Houston; it was a lesson in how to play the saxophone.

[@OG-19]

Some people are just gifted.

[@martineden110]

Una perla !!!!! bellissimo. Thank you for this marvellous post

[@savedfaves]

This guy's a genius.

[@alamooji3716]

Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooowwwww!

[@vincenzodigioiasax]

Perfect

[@saxmarko]

perrisimo!!

[@Unor1ginal]

He's so fucking perfect, he never makes a mistake

[@dancelli714]

THIS IS HIS CLASSIC SOLO !!! I got the DVD I first heard this recording in 1960,. (Just the audio)

[@caponsacchi]

The most perfect saxophonist of all time. I've collected 150 of Sonny's albums. I was fortunate to be able to take my last jazz band to the Showcase to hear J.J. Johnson (the Miles Davis of modern trombone) before he took his own life. The pianist on this video (Walter Bishop) was playing with Sonny the very last time I caught him (in NYC). Bish was extremely proud of being asked to play a solo recital in Carnegie Hall (I was there and heard him say so.) Dig that closing cadenza by Sonny.