About: The Best Of Sonny Stitt And Eddie Russ

After 28 years, it is completed. The best Sonny Stitt recording collection (CD) of all time. This is a collection of tracks that exhibit all of Sonny's passion, soulfulness and versatility. This album is different from all of his other recordings for several reasons. First, this material is based on the big hits of the 60's and 70's as opposed to those of the 30's and 40's. Secondly, it is not the typical be-bop, hard-driving tunes heard on many of Stitt's earlier releases. Thirdly, Eddie Russ greatly compliments Sonny. He often sets the tone and plays some great solos.

Sonny Stitt has been a super star for many years, electrifying audiences at home and abroad with his great improvisation, embellished through clear, brilliant and fiery tones on both the tenor and alto saxophones. As Downbeat magazine once wrote: "Stitt is such a master of of his instruments that he can outplay most saxophonists without challenging himself. And he is a sly fox who knows every trick available to stimulate Passion and excitement. Thus, he never gives a poor performance," Yet with reviews like this, the mellow sounds of Stitt still seem to escape the ears of mainstream American, particularly, jazz enthusiasts.

We hope by linking him with Eddie Russ, also a jazz purist with more a modern sound and concepts, we could draw more attention to both artists. Even though their ideas and styles may be light years apart, everyone who hears them feel they make an exciting duo. Eddie's style might be considered the "frosting on the cake: for sonny's style. Eddie Russ was versatile, funky and was often able to contain Sonny in a defined pocket. In most of his previous releases, Stitt took command of the tempo and the swing. The rest of the rhythm group just seemed to follow along. This time, I wanted Eddie's more modern approach to influence Sonny's style... and it did!

In our opinion, it is a cardinal sin that young jazz lovers... and particularly young Black music lovers, do not know the great music of Sonny Stitt, Eddie Russ or any of the other great jazz legends and cannot identify with their music. Most African Americans are not aware that jazz originated from the Black experience, and is the only true American art form. Some call it music created by West Africans through European instruments. The late, great Rahsaan Roland Kirk called it "Black Classical Music." Some African American historians refer to jazz as European music that has been "Africanized." Whatever the label, I am extremely thankful that I lived during the time of most of the great Jazz legends. -Bob Crawford

THE PLAYERS:

Eddie Russ..................................................................... ...................... Piano and all keyboards
Larry Nozero ........................................................................................Saxophones & Flute
Ron Brooks ..........................................................................................Bass
Larry Rhodes ........................................................................................Bass
Jerry Glassel .........................................................................................Guitar
R.C.Crawford .......................................................................................Guitar
Melvin Clark .........................................................................................Guitar
Calvin Welch ........................................................................................Drums and Percussion
Wilt Machen .........................................................................................Saxophone
Danny Spencer .....................................................................................Drums
Walter Corley .......................................................................................Clavinet
Jackie Holiday .....................................................................................Vocals
George Benson,Marcus Belgraves,Ernest Rodgers & Tom Bowles.......Horns
Marcus Belgraves & Dave Sporney......................................................Horn arrangements

Produced and arranged by Bob Crawford

Art Design/ Travis Erby / Adolfo Rosado Art Director/ Bob Crawford Digital Re-mastering at River City Studios, Grand Rapids, MI. Engineer: Tim Heldt Special thanks to Larry Rhodes for his musical and technical contributions

The Best Of Sonny Stitt And Eddie Russ • The Sonny Stitt You've Never Heard • The Best Of Eddie Russ • The Greatest