Peter Friedman

Volume 10 - Disc 1 - Concerts Number 38 & 39

Wonder what the date was of those reviews? I suspect they were many decades ago. I have discovered over many years that certain recordings I once liked have lost their appeal. And likewise some recordings I thought to be just Ok, have gained in appeal for me. My appreciation for "The Champ" is an example of the latter.

All these glowing comments about a number of other Sonny Stitt sessions is, in a way, the reason I wrote about "The Champ". I agree that some, though not all, of the recordings mentioned are especially good and some rank as my favorite Stitt albums. But I believe that "The Champ" has been somewhat overlooked, perhaps because it is not quite up to the level of "Tune Up' or "Constellation". When I recently listened to "The Champ", I was slightly surprised at just how good it is. A CD/LP does not have to be one of the 2 or three very best by an artist to be very good and, in this case I believe it deserves greater recognition.

CD - 2 - Op.130 & Op.133 "Grosse Fuge"

Disc 2 - Piano Trios No. 40, 41, 35, 34, 36, 38

Disc 1 - a great CD set.

Sonny Stitt recorded with such frequency that some of his very good sessions can easily get passed over. It is generally true that Stitt's quartet sessions with Barry Harris on piano - "Tune Up", "Constellation" & "12" - are very highly regarded. "The Champ", a quintet date has a somewhat different lineup. Joe Newman is on trumpet and plays as well if not better than I have ever heard him. The rhythm section has 3 fine bebop oriented musicians. Duke Jordan on piano and Sam Jones on bass are long established masters of this music. Roy Brooks on drums, has received less acclaim than the others, but in my opinion was among the very best Bebop and Hard Bop drummers. Sonny plays tenor on 4 of the six tunes. Everyone here is in top form and have produced a very swinging and delightful jazz recording that I readily recommend to those who enjoy this style of music.

Disc 2

Disc 3 - I had all this music in different forms back when it was first issued in the 50's. Loved it then and now.