Sonny Stitt - Sonny Stitt plays Jimmy Giuffre Arrangements

2010 European CD reissue.

The idea of a Stitt-Giuffre union might, at first, seem incongruous; but listen to the virile alto Stitts playing against the understated background of Giuffres arrangements, and the effect is electrifying. Stitt is the only soloist on the sides with the brass choir, and he maintains a high level of performance throughout. Giuffre attains an effect of a larger group by his imaginative use of contrary motion and dissonance. His writing for bass and tuba adds much to the fullness and novelty of the arrangements. In contrast to the arranged sides, Giuffre joins Stitt and the rhythm section for two blues, Down Country and Uptown, but even on these, the basic difference in conception of the two men is evidenttension Vs. relaxation. This album achieves this contrast to a remarkable degree.

1. New York Blues (Jimmy Giuffre) 3:54
2. Giuff (Sonny Stitt) 2:54
3. Laura (Mercer-Raskin) 4:48
4. Sonny Boy (Brown-DeSylva-Henderson-Jolson) 3:56
5. Singin' in the Rain (Brown-Freed) 4:26
6. Downtown (Sonny Stitt) 4:37
7. I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart (Ellington-Nemo-Mills-Redmond) 3:21
8. Two for Timbucktu (Jimmy Giuffre) 3:17)
9. Uptown (Sonny Stitt) 5:21
10. Down Country (Giuffre-Scott) 6:55

Album details
Originally issued in 12-inch LP as Verve MGV-8309 / MGVS-6041

Personnel on #1-8:
Lee Katzman, Jack Sheldon (trumpet), Frank Rosolino (trombone), Al Pollen (tuba), Sonny Stitt (alto & tenor sax), Jimmy Giuffre (tenor sax, arrangements & direction), Jimmy Rowles (piano), Buddy Clark (bass), Lawrence Marable (drums).

Personnel on #9 & 10:
Sonny Stitt (alto sax), Jimmy Giuffre (tenor sax), Jimmy Rowles (piano), Buddy Clark (bass), Lawrence Marable (drums).

All tracks recorded at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, on February 16, 1959