Search - Sonny Stitt;Frank Rosolino;Lawrence Marable;Lee Katzman;Jack Sheldon;Jimmy Giuffre;Al Pollen;Jimmy Rowles;Buddy Clark :: Sonny Stitt Plays Jimmy Giuffre Arrangements

The idea of a Stitt-Giuffre union might, at first, seem incongruous; but listen to the virile alto Stitt s playing against the understated background of Giuffre s arrangements, and the effect is electrifying. Stitt is the only soloist on the sides with the brass choir, and he maintains a high level of performance throughout. Giuffre attains an effect of a larger group by his imaginative use of contrary motion and dissonance. His writing for bass and tuba adds much to the fullness and novelty of the arrangements. In contrast to the arranged sides, Giuffre joins Stitt and the rhythm section for two blues, Down Country and Uptown, but even on these, the basic difference in conception of the two men is evident tension vs. relaxation. This album achieves this contrast to a remarkable degree.