Sonny Criss

Albums

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Sonny Criss Quartet: 1949-1957
#21952178
Sonny Criss and Hampton Hawes
Label: Fresh Sound

There is some duplication with Xanadu label; better sound quality. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide

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Jazz in Paris: Mr. Blues Pour Flirter
#21868000
Sonny Criss
Number of Discs: 1

Sonny Criss was relatively inactive as a leader in the first half of the 1960s, though he did produce outstanding music during two trips to Paris. The latter [more]

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3. Quartet
Quartet
#21865629
Sonny Criss
Label: Fresh Sounds
Number of Discs: 1

Recorded in Chicago in 1959, this date places the great underappreciated altoist Sonny Criss in the company of Miles Davis' pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Bob Cranshaw, and drummer Walter [more]

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Great Quartets
#21897836
Sonny Criss
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Blues in My Heart
#21898148
Sonny Criss
Label: Jazz Ball
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Appearances

13 Recordings Sort by Title or Popularity
Jazz for a Rainy Afternoon [32 Jazz]
#5191555
Various Artists
Number of Discs: 1

This sampler CD has 11 ballads taken from the Muse catalog that the 32 Jazz label acquired in the mid-1990s. Unfortunately, the liner notes are sparse and the [more]

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Jazz for the Quiet Times [32 Jazz]
#5191564
Various Artists
Number of Discs: 1

Jazz giants like Jack McDuff, Sonny Stitt, Kenny Burrell, and Bobby Hutcherson all contribute tracks and brush shoulders with jazz middleweights like Wallace [more]

Cover art displayed on website may vary from product shipped. Please see printed material for accurate cover art.
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Jazz for the Open Road [32 Jazz]
#5191582
Various Artists
Number of Discs: 1

This single CD (a 1998 reissue) has ten selections taken from the Muse and Landmark catalogs of the 1970s, '80s and early '90s. The ten selections all feature [more]

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Legendary Big Band 1943-1947
#5292928
Billy Eckstine
Number of Discs: 2

The Legendary Big Band 1943-1947 features 42 of Billy Eckstine's most memorable songs as played by one of the most powerful bebop big bands in jazz history. A powerful [more]

SALE ends Apr 22nd
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Sonny Criss Quartet: 1949-1957
#21952178
Sonny Criss and Hampton Hawes
Label: Fresh Sound

There is some duplication with Xanadu label; better sound quality. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide

Available in U.S. only.
  • List Price: $20.98
  • Member Price: $18.90
You Save: $2.08
Settin' the Pace [Proper]
#21542905
Dexter Gordon
Number of Discs: 4

One of the most important yet overlooked figures in jazz is given his due with this amazing four-disc set on Proper. Going for the label's usual bargain-basement rate [more]

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Jazz in Paris: Mr. Blues Pour Flirter
#21868000
Sonny Criss
Number of Discs: 1

Sonny Criss was relatively inactive as a leader in the first half of the 1960s, though he did produce outstanding music during two trips to Paris. The latter [more]

Available in U.S. only.
  • List Price: $13.90
  • Member Price: $12.95
You Save: 95c
8. Quartet
Quartet
#21865629
Sonny Criss
Label: Fresh Sounds
Number of Discs: 1

Recorded in Chicago in 1959, this date places the great underappreciated altoist Sonny Criss in the company of Miles Davis' pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Bob Cranshaw, and drummer Walter [more]

Available in U.S. only.
  • List Price: $19.95
  • Member Price: $17.96
You Save: $2.00
Big Band Modern
#21780041
Gerald Wilson
Label: The Jazz Factory
Number of Discs: 1
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Complete Studio Recordings
#21530847
Harry Edison/Buddy Rich Quintet
Label: Definitive
Number of Discs: 1
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13 Recordings Sort by Title or Popularity

Biography

  • Born Oct 23rd 1927 in Memphis, TN
  • Died Nov 19th 1977 in Los Angeles, CA

Alto saxophonist William "Sonny" Criss was an anomaly of the jazz musicians who came up during the bebop era. Criss moved to Los Angeles from Memphis at the age of 15, and at 19 played in Howard McGhee's band with Charlie Parker and Teddy Edwards. As was the norm for every alto player, Parker exerted a huge influence on Criss' playing. His beefy, earthy tone can be heard on a number of Savoy sessions beginning the next year. Criss drifted, playing in jazz and R&B groups, including those led by Johnny Otis, Billy Eckstine, and Stan Kenton. After joining Buddy Rich in 1956, Criss recorded Jazz U.S.A. for Imperial as a leader; it's one of the true underground classics of the hard bop era. Imperial -- mainly an R&B label specializing in New Orleans acts such as Fats Domino -- put no promotional push behind it. Nonetheless, he was able to cut two more sessions for the label: the excellent Go Man! and Sonny Criss Plays Cole Porter. Still playing with Rich, Criss cut At the Crossroads while on tour in Chicago for the Peacock label; the set featured Wynton Kelly and was critically well received. The saxophonist continued to work, fronting his own band in Los Angeles and gigging with others for brief out-of-town jaunts. He signed with Prestige in 1965 and issued a host of fine recordings, This Is Criss! and Sonny's Dream among them. Criss also cut various sessions for Xanadu, Muse, and ABC/Impulse near the end of his life. He committed suicide in 1977 due to the painful consequences of stomach cancer. His fine Crisscraft and Out of Nowhere albums were reissued on CDs, as were his complete Imperial recordings. ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide