Sonny Stitt

Sonny Stitt
Sonny Stitt in New York City on July 6, 1976
Background information
Birth name	Edward Stitt
Born	February 2, 1924
Origin	Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Died	July 22, 1982 (aged 58)
Genre(s)	Jazz, Bebop, hard bop
Occupation(s)	Saxophonist
Instrument(s)	Tenor saxophone, Alto saxophone
Associated acts	Billy Eckstine, Johnny Griffin, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis

Edward "Sonny" Stitt (b. February 2, 1924, Boston, Massachusetts – d. July 22, 1982, Washington, D.C.) was an American jazz saxophonist of the bebop/hard bop idiom. He was also one of the most well-documented saxophonists of his generation, recording over 100 records in his lifetime. He was nicknamed the "Lone Wolf" by jazz critic Dan Morgenstern in tribute to his relentless touring and his devotion to jazz. He is considered the greatest disciple of Charlie Parker. Although his playing was at first heavily inspired by Charlie Parker and Lester Young, Stitt eventually developed his own style, one which influenced John Coltrane. Stitt was especially effective with blues and with ballad pieces such as "Skylark".