Sonny Stitt with Strings: A Tribute to Duke Ellington

Sonny Stitt with Strings: A Tribute to Duke Ellington
Studio album by Sonny Stitt
Released	1977
Recorded	1977 Annex Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA
Genre	Jazz
Label	Catalyst CAT-7620
Producer	Pat Britt
Sonny Stitt chronology
I Remember Bird (1977) Sonny Stitt with Strings: A Tribute to Duke Ellington (1977) The Sonny Stitt Quintet (1978)

Sonny Stitt with Strings: A Tribute to Duke Ellington is an album by American jazz saxophonist Sonny Stitt featuring performances of compositions associated with Duke Ellington recorded in 1977 for the Catalyst label.^[1]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[2]

The Allmusic site awarded the album 3 stars, stating, "No real surprises occur although the string charts are a cut above the usual. Stitt is at his most melodic and really romps on a few of these pieces".^[2]

Track listing

1. "Take the "A" Train" (Billy Strayhorn) - 3:44
2. "Prelude to a Kiss" (Duke Ellington, Irving Gordon, Irving Mills) - 4:17
3. "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" (Ellington, Mills) - 4:35
4. "Cotton Tail" (Ellington) - 5:14
5. "In a Sentimental Mood" (Ellington, Mills, Manny Kurtz) - 4:09
6. "In a Mellow Tone" (Ellington, Milt Gabler) - 4:43
7. "Jeep's Blues" (Ellington, Johnny Hodges) - 5:43

Personnel

• Sonny Stitt - tenor saxophone, alto saxophone
• Gildo Mahones - piano
• Allen Jackson - bass
• Clarence Johnston - drums
• String section arranged and conducted by Bill Finegan

References

1. Catalyst Records 7600 series discography accessed April 29, 2016
2. Yanow, Scott. Sonny Stitt with Strings: A Tribute to Duke Ellington – Review at AllMusic. Retrieved April 29, 2016.