Sonny Criss

An alto saxophonist of potent authority, Sonny Criss emerged from the bebop language of Charlie Parker to forge a distinctively searing and blues-drenched sound. He moved to Los Angeles as a teen, becoming a vital presence on the West Coast scene and recording with artists like Buddy Rich and on Norman Granz's jazz tours. Despite periods of obscurity and a career spent largely away from the New York epicenter, his work for labels like Prestige and Imperial solidified his reputation for fiery, soulful improvisations and technical command that defined his hard bop contributions.