[BlueNote]

My former saxophone teacher turned me on to Sonny Simmons some months ago. I haven't taken the time to really listen to his recordings, but from the ones I've checked out on iTunes, I love his approach. Great alto playing. Very free and melodic. Listen to the cuts on the album Sonny Simmons Trio in Paris.

Anyone else here familiar with Simmons?

 

[10mfan]

 

[Swampcabbage]

Here's a few great albums from the earlier days.

On the Watch
Music From the Spheres (with an appearance from the esteemed Bert Wilson).
Manhattan Egos
Burning Spirits

Sonny is amazing. And can "channel" any great saxophonist aside from having his own sound and approach.

 

[Eulipion2]

I've heard his playing on American Jungle and Ancient Ritual. Unique approach, and the blues tune "Reincarnation" is tricky, yet fun, to play!

 

[SteveMarz]

Simmons

Sonny Simmons is a master improviser who should be better known. A real innovator in the music.
Sonny's playing has a good foundation in Bird and chordal playing, yet expands into outside explorations. His CD "Ancient Ritual" is a genuine masterpiece. I once saw Sonny play an acappella version of "Autumn in NY" that was really amazing.
The You-Tube video that was posted here shows Sonny's way-out side, but his playing is actually more varied and multi-dimensional and than that clip demonstrates.

 

[Lenny]

Sonny used to play on the street in San Francisco for years in the Financial district.

 

[choochoo]

does bert wilson still live in olympia washington?

 

[Tim Price]

My former saxophone teacher turned me on to Sonny Simmons some months ago. I haven't taken the time to really listen to his recordings, but from the ones I've checked out on iTunes, I love his approach. Great alto playing. Very free and melodic. Listen to the cuts on the album Sonny Simmons Trio in Paris.

Anyone else here familiar with Simmons?

Sonny is a natural, and should live in Europe. He'd do more and all that.

My fav' Sonny < this week> is Sonny (Huey) Simmons "Burning Spirits" (Contemporary, 1970)

Quite a unique cat and a legend. His lines on sax make the Slominsky book seem like a Rubank. LOL.

Great article here to ;
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=2178

BERT STILL LIVES IN OLYMPIA.

 

[Isle of Jazz]

Another early album - Illumination!

 

[edsel00]

One more endorsement for Burning Spirits. It's a very accessible and totally smokin' album (accessible, that is, for an album that's pretty far out there).