Sonny Fortune
When critics speak of Sonny Fortune, names like Coltrane, Cannonball, Young, Bechet, Hawkins and Parker are mentioned. Quite a legacy - but well deserved - for Sonny Fortune embodies all of the finest qualities of those late, great musicians: hard work, dedication to his art, and exceptional music. Lucky for us, Sonny is still here and blowing hard.
Born in Philadelphia on May 19, 1939, he was 18 years old before deciding to pursue a career in jazz. In 1967 he moved to New York. Says the quiet, straight-talking Fortune of that move: Eventually, in order to find out if you really have what it takes, you have to go to the center, and that's New York...you can only do so much in your hometown.
After a brief stint with Elvin Jones and Frank Foster, Fortune, an early admirer of John Coltrane, Charlie Parker and Sonny Rollins, joined Mongo Santamaria's group, with whom he remained for over 2 years. He moved to Los Angeles in 1970, but stayed in California for only seven months and came back east where he worked with vocalist Leon Thomas before joining McCoy Tyner with whom he played for 2 1/2 years. During this period, in which Fortune started playing the soprano sax, he cemented an already solid reputation as an instrumental innovator with his contributions on Tyner's albums Sahara, Song For My Lady, and Song of the New World.
Fortune then went on to work independently with his own ensemble and with drummer Buddy Rich, and was featured on the live LP recorded at Rich's Manhattan nightspot, Buddy's Place. In September 1974, Miles Davis offered Sonny a job in his fusion group. Fortune had previously turned down the same offer to stay with Tyner, but now he eagerly accepted the opportunity to move on to something completely new. Fortune, by now accomplished on several instruments (clarinet, flute, tenor and baritone sax included), stayed with Miles for a year, recording four LPs, Big Fun, Agartha, Pangaea and Get Up With It.
Read moreTags
Live Review
- Swingin' In The Rain: Portland Jazz Festival 2016
- Sonny Fortune at Lancaster Avenue Jazz Festival, Philadelphia
Album Review
- Last Night At Sweet Rhythm by Chuck Koton
- Last Night at Sweet Rhythm by Terrell Kent Holmes
Profile
Album Review
- You and the Night and the Music by Troy Collins
- You and the Night and the Music by Joel Roberts
Extended Analysis
Interview
Live Review
Read more articlesMay 19, 2021
Jazz Musician of the Day: Sonny Fortune
May 19, 2020
Jazz Musician of the Day: Sonny Fortune
May 19, 2019
Jazz Musician of the Day: Sonny Fortune
May 19, 2018
Jazz Musician of the Day: Sonny Fortune
May 19, 2017
Jazz Musician of the Day: Sonny Fortune
July 14, 2015
Legendary Saxophonist Sonny Fortune Headlines Free, Family-friendly...
May 19, 2014
Jazz Musician of the Day: Sonny Fortune
May 19, 2013
Jazz Musician of the Day: Sonny Fortune
May 19, 2012
Jazz Musician of the Day: Sonny Fortune
April 09, 2012
Jack Kleinsinger's "Highlights in Jazz" series honoring saxophonist...