Sonny Stitt | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Edward Hammond Boatner Jr. |
| Born | February 2, 1924 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | July 22, 1982 (aged 58) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument | Saxophone |
| Years active | 1943–1982 |
| Labels | Prestige, Roost, Savoy, Verve, Argo, Impulse!, Atlantic, Roulette, Cadet, Muse, Flying Dutchman, Sonet, Who's Who in Jazz |
Sonny Stitt (born Edward Hammond Boatner Jr.; February 2, 1924 – July 22, 1982) 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 generation, recording more than 100 albums. He was nicknamed the "Lone Wolf" by jazz critic Dan Morgenstern because of his tendency to rarely work with the same musicians for long despite his relentless touring and devotion to the craft. Stitt was sometimes viewed as a Charlie Parker mimic, especially earlier in his career, but gradually came to develop his own sound and style, particularly when performing on tenor saxophone and even occasionally baritone saxophone.