During the 1940s and 1950s, many jazz musicians had nicknames. Some were bestowed on them by band members. Others were affixed by parents or friends while they were growing up. One of the most popular sobriquets during this period was “Sonny." It seems to have been given most often by parents in need of differentiating between children or between the child and the father or grandfather in the home.
What if all of the best-known Sonnys in jazz were united for a big-band session? If you have a Sonny I've overlooked below, please add to the Comments section for all to see:
What if all of the best-known Sonnys in jazz were united for a big-band session? If you have a Sonny I've overlooked below, please add to the Comments section for all to see:
- Sonny Berman, Sonny Cohn (trumpets)
- Sonny Lee, Sonny Russo (trombones)
- Sonny Criss and Sonny Simmons (alto saxophones)
- Sonny Rollins and Sonny Fortune (tenor saxophones)
- Sonny Stitt (baritone sax)
- Sonny Clark (piano)
- Sonny Sharrock (guitar)
- Sonny Dallas (bass)
- Sonny Igoe, Sonny Payne, Sonny Johnson and Sonny Greer (drums)
- Sonny Skylar and Sonny Parker (vocals)
- Sonny Burke (arranger, leader)
This story appears courtesy of JazzWax by Marc Myers.
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