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!