There are a lot of Sonny’s in
jazz. It takes more than few clicks to
scroll through my IPod library from Sonny Clark to Sonny Stitt. Tonight I added a couple of albums by alto
sax man Sonny Simmons. Simmons has by
God paid his dues. He was born in 1933
and played with a number of jazz greats in the 1960’s, including Mingus,
Dolphy, and Elvin Jones. Then he
disappeared for a couple of decades, apparently living on the streets for a
spell. He reemerged in the mid 90’s.
Simmons is described in the
Penguin Guide as one of the most underappreciated jazz masters. From what I have been listening to, I am
inclined to agree.
I am playing cuts from the two
albums both recorded in 1966. The
Penguin Guide suggests Music from the
Spheres as the first Simmons album you ought to have. It is certainly a robust new thing document,
leaving no doubt that you are listening to an alto virtuoso and a compositional
genius. I am playing ‘Zarak’s Symphony’
and ‘Dolphy’s Days’. The latter is a
superb bit of chameleon jazz. You want
Eric Dolphy? I can be Eric Dolphy! From Discogs,
here is the lineup:
1.
Alto Saxophone, Written-By – Sonny Simmons
2.
Bass – Juney Booth*
3.
Drums – James Zitro
4.
Piano – Michael Cohen (2)
5.
Trumpet – Barbara Donald
I am also playing ‘Metamorphosis’
from Staying on the Watch. If Simmons was very explicitly channeling
Dolphy in the other album, here he is evidently channeling Ornette
Coleman.
1.
Alto Saxophone – Sonny Simmons
2.
Bass – Teddy Smith
3.
Percussion – Marvin Pattillo
4.
Piano – John Hicks
5.
Trumpet – Barbara Donald
This is very energetic,
compelling avant garde jazz. The piano
work by Hicks has to be noted as brilliant.
I haven’t yet heard any of Simmons’ later work. I will be hunting.
