Sonny Simmons
- Type: Classic Bandleader
- Country: United States
- Born: August 4, 1933 in Sicily Island, Louisiana, United States
- Died: April 6, 2021 in New York, New York, United States
Biography
Sonny Simmons was a fiery and fiercely independent alto saxophonist and English horn player, a key figure in the free jazz movement. First emerging on the West Coast, he gained notice for his collaborations with *Prince Lasha* before establishing his legacy with landmark avant-garde albums on the #ESP-Disk# label, such as 'Staying on the Watch', often featuring his then-wife, trumpeter *Barbara Donald*. After a long period of homelessness and obscurity, he made a remarkable comeback in the 1990s with albums like 'Ancient Ritual'. His playing was known for its raw, blues-drenched cry that pushed the boundaries of bebop into ecstatic, free-form expression.
Genres
Sonny Simmons Discography
- Staying on the Watch (1966) - Album - rated 4.36/5
- Music From the Spheres (1968) - Album - rated 3.95/5