Sonny Fortune

Richardo Caerleoni · June-20th-2004, 08:52 AM

I heard the (UK) BBC R3 Tribute to Elvin which went out on Friday night (still available on line)....which was brilliant not least for the set with Robin, Elvin and Sonny Fortune from London in '98.

I know very little about Sonny Fortune...can someone please rec. some records...he was just amazing.

Thanks in advance. R.

Dr Dave · June-20th-2004, 08:36 PM

I don't know any more what's in print and what's not. But here's what's really good:

"Awakening" -- Sonny's first major-label disk as a leader. With Kenny Barron on keyboards, Wayne Dockery on bass, Charles Sullivan on trumpet, various percussionists. Recorded in 1972 on the A&M/Horizon label. The opening cut "Triple Threat" and the next one, "Nommo" with a guest appearance by Reggie Workman on bass, are outstanding examples of the post-bop school.

"From Now On" -- His second recording on Blue Note. Well worth seeking out, and probably the easiest of his recordings to find. His Blue Note debut, "Four In One," is a Monk tribute, and not up to the standard of his other stuff.

"Great Friends" -- Released on the Black & Blue label in France, and re-issued not too long ago. So still reasonably available. Sonny with Reggie Workman, Stanley Cowell, Billy Hart, and the equally incredible Billy Harper on tenor. Great, great stuff. Click here to order from Overstock.com.

I like Sonny's jazz/funk work on Atlantic, but it's not to everyone's taste. Try "Infinity Is" or "Serengeti Minstrel" if you can find them.

Sonny's followup to "Awakening" on A&M/Horizon was "Waves of Dreams," which has more of a fusion feel to it. Sonny has never been afraid to experiment with styles.

Nearly forgot: Sonny made a couple great CDs on the German Connex label, "It Ain't What It Was" and another one whose title I can't recall. Both feature Kenny Barron and/or Mulgrew Miller on keys, and Santi Debriano on bass.

Sonny has a new CD out called "Continuum" on the Sound Reason label, which is probably his own. I haven't heard it yet.

Dan G · June-20th-2004, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Dave

"Awakening" -- Sonny's first major-label disk as a leader. With Kenny Barron on keyboards, Wayne Dockery on bass, Charles Sullivan on trumpet, various percussionists. Recorded in 1972 on the A&M/Horizon label.

Much of the same band, but with Stanley Cowell instead of Barron, are on "Long Before Our Mother's Cried", a great sort of fusion/free/latin record on Strata East. Not sure if it is on CD, but if so get it. And of course there's McCoy Tyner's "Sahara" which may be most people's introduction to (or only exposure to) Fortune.

BFrank · June-20th-2004, 10:59 PM

Sonny played for quite a while with Nat Adderley. You could check out some of his albums.

john williams · June-20th-2004, 11:48 PM

I like this one a lot and I'm usually pretty wary of tribute albums.

gonzo · June-21st-2004, 05:12 AM

plays some great horn on mile's agartha, and pangea.

Ivy · June-21st-2004, 05:21 AM

I haven't found an album by Sonny which compares to seeing him live. He really thrives on audience vibes and propels him into ecstatic states which I haven't experienced from his albums. Serengeti is a nice album- (out of print?).

Gary Sisco · June-21st-2004, 07:09 AM

"From Now On" gets my nod and, as Dave said, it's fairly easy to find.

Nate Dorward · June-21st-2004, 11:12 AM

Continuum is pretty good. Not great but pretty good.

Brian Olewnick · June-21st-2004, 11:54 AM

I mention this one everyt ime Fortune's name comes up, but I don't think I've ever heard him better than on McCoy Tyner's extraordinary "Sahara".

Dr Dave · June-21st-2004, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan G

Much of the same band, but with Stanley Cowell instead of Barron, are on "Long Before Our Mother's Cried", a great sort of fusion/free/latin record on Strata East. Not sure if it is on CD, but if so get it. And of course there's McCoy Tyner's "Sahara" which may be most people's introduction to (or only exposure to) Fortune.

I didn't bother to mention "Long Before Our Mothers Cried" because it is way gone out of print. I've really got to transfer it to CD one of these days. Duh.

mke · September-2nd-2004, 03:48 AM

Apparently he's still going strong:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ethan Iverson, on Aug 19th

Last night at Sweet Rhythm, I saw a set of saxophonist Sonny Fortune and drummer Rashid Ali duo. The set was a 55 minute rendition of "Cherokee", up up up-tempo. Fortune's stamina was pretty amazing, not even needing the drummer to keep conventional time, but playing his own burning time for a sustained 40 minute solo that caused my ears to ring. He must have played 100 choruses. This was some old school intensity, for sure! A memorable event. Cecil Taylor sat in the corner, grinning.

(from The Bad Plus blog)

Richardo Caerleoni · September-2nd-2004, 04:34 AM

"...I saw a set of saxophonist Sonny Fortune and drummer Rashid Ali duo. The set was a 55 minute rendition of "Cherokee", up up up-tempo. Fortune's stamina was pretty amazing, not even needing the drummer to keep conventional time..."

Sounds almost like "Intersteller Space"revisited ! - 'would have loved to have been there!

Many thanks for the info. Good to know SF is still cutting it.

John L · September-2nd-2004, 05:52 AM

A lot of good recs here for Sonny Fortune. Don't ever miss him when he comes to town! With Sonny Fortune, first rate jazz is always guaranteed.

To the list of good' uns from Sonny F. I would add "Alto Memories" with Gary Bartz. That may be the best darn double sax blowout since the days of Rahsaan and Roland.

Jimmy Cantiello · September-2nd-2004, 12:14 PM

Unfortunately, that was not the case a few years ago when I saw him at the late Sweet Basil in NYC. He basically phoned it in that night. That was the only time I saw him live, though, so maybe he was having an off night.............

groover · September-2nd-2004, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John L

That may be the best darn double sax blowout since the days of Rahsaan and Roland.

I gather you're referring to the One-man Twins?

From Now On is good, but I would seek out A Better Understanding , Great Friends, or Four In One first, assuming you already have Sahara, which was a peak career effort for both McCoy and Sonny.

James Lee · September-2nd-2004, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BFrank

Sonny played for quite a while with Nat Adderley. You could check out some of his albums.

I agree. The two I have are:
"On the Move" ('93 Evidence) with Nat Adderley, Sonny, Larry Willis, Walter Booker and Jimmy Cobb. Recorded live at Keystone Korner.
"Autumn Leaves" ('94 Evidence) with Nat, Sonny, Vincent Herring, Rob Bargad, Walter Booker and Jimmy Cobb. Recorded live at Sweet Basil.

I prefer the former, though Autumn Leaves isn't shabby by any means.

Valerie · September-2nd-2004, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Lee

I agree. The two I have are:
"On the Move" ('93 Evidence) with Nat Adderley, Sonny, Larry Willis, Walter Booker and Jimmy Cobb. Recorded live at Keystone Korner.
"Autumn Leaves" ('94 Evidence) with Nat, Sonny, Vincent Herring, Rob Bargad, Walter Booker and Jimmy Cobb. Recorded live at Sweet Basil.

I prefer the former, though Autumn Leaves isn't shabby by any means.

Hey James:

I had the pleasure of hearing Sonny with John Hicks very recently at the Jazz Bakery. He was pretty darn astounding. He's still definitely "got it"!

I'm going to try to find On the Move as those are some of my favorite "peeps" on that date.

Have you (or anyone else here) heard anything lately about the wonderful Rob Bagard (or Bargad)? He seemed to disappear from my radar screen years ago.

Best to you, James.

Valerie

jazzfiend · September-3rd-2004, 04:00 PM

Val & James,

Sonny's recent cd, Continuum, has become one of my faves for 2004. His playing is top notch, and it includes some excellent writing by the man himself. Sonny wrote 7 of the 9 tunes, plays alto on 4 cuts, soprano on 2, tenor on 2, and alto flute on 1 cut. His band is swingin' & killer: George Cables on piano, Wayne Dockery on bass, Steve Johns on drums, and Steve Berrios on congas, cowbell, & triangle (he's on 4 cuts). If you go to Sonny's website, you'll find that he is extremely proud of this release, which is not available in the stores. It's on his own label, Sound Reason, and can be purchased here.

Valerie · September-3rd-2004, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzfiend

Val & James,

Sonny's recent cd, Continuum, has become one of my faves for 2004. His playing is top notch, and it includes some excellent writing by the man himself. Sonny wrote 7 of the 9 tunes, plays alto on 4 cuts, soprano on 2, tenor on 2, and alto flute on 1 cut. His band is swingin' & killer: George Cables on piano, Wayne Dockery on bass, Steve Johns on drums, and Steve Berrios on congas, cowbell, & triangle (he's on 4 cuts). If you go to Sonny's website, you'll find that he is extremely proud of this release, which is not available in the stores. It's on his own label, Sound Reason, and can be purchased here.

I'm happy to say that I have an autographed copy of Continuum. I'm embarrassed, however, to say that I haven't heard it yet! I do look forward though.

Peterdubya · September-3rd-2004, 07:45 PM

Yeah, Sonny still plays his behind off. His tone is so distinctive and his flute playing is still top of his game.
I don't really think that the experience described above by Ethan Iverson would be like "Interstellar Space" at all except that it's drums and sax. Sonny burnin through the changes of "Cherokee" would be VERY different from "Interstallar Space." FWIW, IMHO.

Mike Schwartz · September-3rd-2004, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy Cantiello

Unfortunately, that was not the case a few years ago when I saw him at the late Sweet Basil in NYC. He basically phoned it in that night. That was the only time I saw him live, though, so maybe he was having an off night.............

Based on the dozen or so times I've seen this guy 'off night' had to have been the case...

Fortune is a "fasten your seat belts', 'I'm comin' out firin', 'pedal to the metal' guy as leader or sideman, on reeds or flute!

James Lee · September-3rd-2004, 10:57 PM

jazzfiend ---- thank you very much for the tip! Every item in your description of the release impressed me. This one goes on my "short list" to buy.

Val -- such a pity I couldn't join you for that Fortune concert. Would have been a fantastic night of music and an opportunity to meet the *famed* Valerie as well!!

Well - I have little doubt it'll happen sometime in '04.