Sonny Criss

During the bebop years, alto saxophonist William "Sonny" Criss emerged as an unusual figure among his jazz peers. He relocated from Memphis to Los Angeles at age 15 and, four years later, appeared in Howard McGhee’s group alongside Charlie Parker and Teddy Edwards. Parker’s approach left a deep mark on Criss, as it did on virtually every other alto saxophonist of the period. His robust, grounded tone surfaced on several Savoy dates that began the following year. Criss moved between ensembles, performing in both jazz and R&B settings with leaders such as Johnny Otis, Billy Eckstine, and Stan Kenton.

After entering Buddy Rich’s band in 1956, he led the session Jazz U.S.A. for Imperial, a recording now regarded as one of the hard-bop era’s authentic underground classics. Imperial, an R&B imprint known for New Orleans artists including Fats Domino, offered the album little promotional support. Nevertheless, Criss completed two further dates for the label: the strong Go Man! and Sonny Criss Plays Cole Porter. While still with Rich, he cut At the Crossroads for Peacock during a Chicago stop; the date featured Wynton Kelly and received favorable critical notice.

Criss maintained a steady career, leading his own unit in Los Angeles and accepting occasional short engagements out of town. Prestige signed him in 1965, and he produced several notable albums, among them This Is Criss! and Sonny's Dream. Near the end of his life he also recorded for Xanadu, Muse, and ABC/Impulse. In 1977, after enduring severe pain from stomach cancer, Criss took his own life. His respected Crisscraft and Out of Nowhere sets later appeared on CD, as did the complete Imperial recordings.