While the comparisons to
Charlie Parker were inevitable throughout a good part of his career,
Sonny Stitt was very much his own man. He is in top form throughout this 1957 session made for
Verve, featuring a very young
Bobby Timmons on piano, bassist
Edgar Willis, and drummer
Kenny Dennis. Alternating between alto and tenor saxophone in a program consisting mostly of standards,
Stitt is equally at home on each horn. His soulful tenor shines in "Easy Living," while the loping "Autumn in New York" showcases his exuberant alto.
Timmons, who had just made his recording debut as a sideman with
Kenny Burrell the previous year, hints at his potential with a blues-drenched solo in "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To." One of
Stitt's best recordings at this point in his career ~ Ken Dryden