GENE AMMONS & SONNY STITT
God Bless Jug And Sonny (Prestige)
Reviewed by Ron Saranich

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God Bless Jug And Sonny is a new release by the venerable saxophone combo of Gene Ammons and Sonny Stitt from a live 1973 concert at the Left Bank Jazz Club in Baltimore, MD. Backed by an truly all-star band of Cedar Walton on piano, Sam Jones on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums, both Ammons and Stitt shone. However, Stitt sounded like he was in better form on this night, as Ammons seemed to have some difficulty getting started, but once he hit his stride, he matched Stitt's playing.

Ammons played tenor on four numbers, while Stitt played tenor on three songs and alto on another. All five members of this ad hoc group played on the first two numbers - Dizzy Gillespie's "Blue 'n' Boogie" plus Ammons and Stitt's own "Stringin' the Jug." Next, Ammons had the lead, while Stitt sat out, on the Billie Holiday classic "God Bless the Child." Then Stitt, on alto, was the lone horn on the standard "Autumn in New York." Walton, Jones, and Higgins then played as a trio on Walton's composition "Ugetsu," originally recorded years before when Walton played with Art Blakey. Finally, all five musicians returned for the final number, an intense, no holds barred version of "Bye, Bye Blackbird."

This is classic bop, played by some of the finest musicians of their era. If you love the spontaneous, joyous sound of live music, then check out this CD. In particular, listen to the way Sonny Stitt periodically quoted from other classic songs, always within the context of the current tune. Though both Ammons and Stitt have better performances currently available on CD, it's wonderful to listen to the rapport between these two saxophone giants. They pushed themselves to play at the top of their game without cutting each other. God Bless Jug and Sonny for playing some hellacious jazz, and God bless Prestige for releasing this music after all these years.

© 2001 - Ron Saranich