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Sonny Criss

William "Sonny" Criss, born William Criss on October 23, 1927, in Memphis, Tennessee, was an American jazz musician known for his saxophone skills. At age 15, he moved to Los Angeles and joined notable West Coast bands, including Stan Kenton's. Criss developed a distinctive tone influenced by Charlie Parker and performed with Howard McGhee and Wardell Gray. His breakthrough came in 1947 through sessions organized by Norman Granz, leading to his first recordings as a leader on Mercury/Norgran in 1949. In the following years, he collaborated extensively with Buddy Rich, signed with...