Skip navigation
Scripting is disabled or not working. dustygroove.com requires JavaScript to function correctly.
Style sheets are disabled or not working. dustygroove.com requires style sheets to function correctly.
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Enlarge       Note

Tribute To Duke Ellington – Sonny Stitt With Strings

LP (Item 60008) Catalyst, 1977 — Condition: Sealed
Lost late Stitt – and a much more compelling album than you might think. The album's got a nice underground feel, despite the fact that it's a tribute to Ellington – with a core combo that features Stitt on alto and tenor, Gildo Mahones on piano, Allen Jackson on bass, and Clarence Johnston on drums – all augmented by the Bill Finegan String Ensemble, who give the album a shimmering finish that brings out some nice moods in Stitt's solos. Titles include "Cottontail", "In A Mellow Tone", "Jeep's Blues", and "Prelude To A Kiss".  © 1996-2023, Dusty Groove, Inc.

Sealed

This is what it says, that the record is still held fast in shrink-wrap. We tend to be pretty suspicious about these things, so if the shrink-wrap doesn't look original, or if the record seems to have undergone some damage over time, we'll probably take it out of the wrapper to ensure that it's in good shape — which is why we don't have more of these. In some cases the shrink-wrap may be torn in spots, but if it's not possible the record has been taken out and played, the record will still qualify as "Sealed".

Additional Marks & Notes

If something is noteworthy, we try to note it in the comments — especially if it is an oddity that is the only wrong thing about the record. This might include, but isn't limited to, warped records, tracks that skip, cover damage or wear as noted above, or strictly cosmetic flaws.



You might be interested


Sonny Stitt

Symphony Hall Swing
Savoy, 1952/1956. Near Mint-
Includes takes from 1952 with Fletcher Peck on piano, John Simmons on bass, and Jo Jones on drums; and from 1956 with Dolo Coker on piano, Edgar Willis on bass, and Kenny Dennis on drums. LP, Vinyl record album

Sonny Stitt

Sonny Stitt Plays
Roost, 1956. Very Good-
One of Sonny Stitt's amazing albums for Roost – a record with a beautifully mature conception of bop soloing, and a totally confident tone throughout! There's an understated brilliance here that's nearly impossible to describe in words – a sense of placement, timing, and phrasing that's ... LP, Vinyl record album

Sonny Stitt

Stitt Goes Latin
Roost, 1963. Very Good+
Sonny Stitt goes Latin – and the results are tremendous! The set's still got all the soulful feel of the best Stitt sessions for Roost, but it brings in some nice Latin rhythms too – inflecting things with that blend of soul jazz and congas you might find over at Prestige or Blue Note, ... LP, Vinyl record album
Roost, 1955. Near Mint-
Sonny Stitt plus the early genius of Quincy Jones – a really great combination that makes for a standout session on Roost! As you might guess with Quincy handling the arrangements, the group here is bigger than usual for Stitt – especially given that the bulk of his Roost sessions were ... LP, Vinyl record album

Sonny Stitt

Burnin
Argo, Early 60s. Very Good-
A great lost gem from Sonny Stitt – one of his most obscure sides for Argo, recorded with a no-nonsense quartet that included Barry Harris on piano, William Austin on bass, and Frank Gant on drums – all on the day after the trio worked together on Harris' Breakin It Up session for the ... LP, Vinyl record album
Roost, Mid 50s. Near Mint-
Beautiful Roost material from Sonny Stitt – solid, mature, and extremely well-placed lines on the alto sax – all caught at a level that's higher than most of his contemporaries were dising out at the time! The boppier side of Stitt's roots is nicely suppressed here – and in its ... LP, Vinyl record album
Verve, Late 50s. Very Good-
One of Stitt's classic Verve sides – a mellow late-night session done with a west coast soul jazz quartet that includes Lou Levy on piano, Leroy Vinnegar on bass, and Mel Lewis on drums. Tracks are short, but Stitt's tone is impeccable – and the album's a key one for moving him away ... LP, Vinyl record album
Cobblestone, 1972. Very Good
A return to basics after Sonny Stitt's late 60s Varitone and funk experiments – all-bop and all soul all the way through, and recorded with a tight quartet that features Barry Harris on piano, Sam Jones on bass, and Roy Brooks on drums! The style's a bit like Sonny's work of the late 50s, ... LP, Vinyl record album
Prestige, 1949/1950. Very Good
Great early stuff by Stitt – originally issued on 78 rpm sides by Prestige, but collected here in LP format with better notes! The sessions feature one session with Bud Powell on piano and Max Roach on drums, and another set with John Lewis on piano, JJ Johnson on trombone, and Roach again ... LP, Vinyl record album

Sonny Stitt

Now!
Impulse, 1963. Very Good Gatefold
A tight swinger from Sonny Stitt – one of the standout 60s dates he recorded for the Impulse label, a place where he seemed to get even more care and focus in the studio! The record's got all the soulful swing of Stitt's classics for Roost, but also hits a slightly more lyrical groove at ... LP, Vinyl record album

Melvin Sparks

Sparks!
Prestige, 1970. Very Good+
A killer – one of the best from Prestige during the runaway classic years of the early 70s! Melvin Sparks is a genius guitarist, with a talent as rich as that of Grant Green, who's probably his most immediate precursor. He'd played in the groups of Lou Donaldson and Jack McDuff during the ... LP, Vinyl record album

Gabor Szabo

Dreams
Skye, 1968. Sealed Gatefold
The guitar genius of Gabor Szabo – set to magnificent arrangements by Gary McFarland! The set's one of the most sophisticated albums Szabo ever cut – and has a slow-building style that steps off of his Impulse years with a deeper, broader vision of music. By the time of the set, ... LP, Vinyl record album
 



⇑ Top