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Sonny Fortune R.I.P.


Mark Stryker

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He fit better into McCoy Tyner-led groups than any other saxophonist.  So many excellent players got eaten alive by Tyner's power in the 70's, but Fortune held his own.  Azar Lawrence also, but others like George Adams, Gary Bartz, and Joe Ford seemed to just get overwhelmed by Tyner's playing.

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This is real sad news to hear - his work on ‘Agharta’ impressed me first time I heard it, full of fire. Have followed his career with interest ever since.

Saw him a couple of times live - both occasions with Elvin Jones Jazz Machine. RIP and thanks.

Edited by sidewinder
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Fortunate to have also heard him live several times. What a joy!

I think my first exposure was “Trip on the Strip” on Prestige with Stan Hunter. Then, like ao many others, he really hit me as a sideman on “Agharta” and  Charles Sullivan’s “Genesis” on Strata East ... and at that same time as a leader on “Awakening.”

I have returned many times to the “Great Friends” recording with Billy Harper, Stanley Cowell, Bill Hart and Reggie Workman. Loved and saw him twice during his final resurgence. Excellent playing and great music each time.

Personal sadness. 

Peace and blessings, Sonny. Thanks for the great music and memories.

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33 minutes ago, Larry Kart said:

I also heard Fortune blow the roof with Nat Adderly-- a combo that is captured IIRC on two CDs.

I don't know whether Fortune was the leader on any recordings with Nat Adderley, but per Wikipedia,

As sideman . . .

With Nat Adderley

    On the Move (Theresa, 1983)

    Blue Autumn (Theresa, 1985)

    Autumn Leaves (Sweet Basil, 1990 [1991])

    Work Song: Live at Sweet Basil (Sweet Basil, 1990 [1993])

(And apparently they all made it to CD.)

Edited by bluenoter
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1 hour ago, bluenoter said:

I don't know whether Fortune was the leader on any recordings with Nat Adderley, but per Wikipedia,

As sideman . . .

With Nat Adderley

    On the Move (Theresa, 1983)

    Blue Autumn (Theresa, 1985)

    Autumn Leaves (Sweet Basil, 1990 [1991])

    Work Song: Live at Sweet Basil (Sweet Basil, 1990 [1993])

(And apparently they all made it to CD.)

Good -- there are more than I recall. I need to hunt for the ones I don't have. The group's original rhythm section -- Larry Willis, Walter Booker, Jimmy Cobb -- was choice.

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It seems like he should have had a bigger career than he did have.  Definitely some fine work with Tyner, as pointed out.  Sahara instantly comes to mind.

He also spent some time with Elvin.  It Don't Mean a Thing is a really good one, especially Sonny's incredibly moving performance of "A Change is Gonna Come." 

R.I.P.  

 

 

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The only time I saw Sonny Fortune live was in duo with Rashied Ali. Intense stuff, and totally captivating. They were second act after Airto solo concert, and I remember Ali visibly and audibly dissatisfied with the state their shared drum set was after the opener when he got to tune up. I like Airto and all, but Fortune and Ali is what I remember that night for. Coincidentally, a little bit into the Fortune/Ali set, about third of the audience decided to stand up and storm out the concert hall, most of them women (don't women like real music?) The musical maelstrom of those two was apparently too much for many that night.

Been listening to quite a lot of Sonny Fortune lately, did listen to Aghartha/Pangaea show through headphones in my Osaka hotel room, lights out and drinking whiskey, thinking how this mighty display of collective genius happened just a mile from where I was at the moment.  RIP, Sonny Fortune.

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