Sonny Fortune
Cornelius "Sonny" Fortune was an American jazz saxophonist. He played soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones, clarinet, and flute.
Biography
He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. After moving to New York City in 1967, Fortune recorded and appeared live with drummer Elvin Jones's group. In 1968, he was a member of Mongo Santamaría's band. He performed with singer Leon Thomas, and with pianist McCoy Tyner. In 1974, Fortune replaced Dave Liebman in Miles Davis's ensemble, remaining until spring 1975, when he was succeeded by Sam Morrison. Fortune can be heard on the albums Big Fun, Get Up With It, Agharta, and Pangaea, the last two recorded live in Japan.Fortune joined Nat Adderley after his brief tenure with Davis, then formed his own group in June 1975, recording two albums for the Horizon Records. During the 1990s, he recorded several albums for Blue Note. He has also performed with Roy Brooks, Buddy Rich, George Benson, Rabih Abou Khalil, Roy Ayers, Oliver Nelson, Gary Bartz, Rashied Ali, and Pharoah Sanders, as well as appearing on the live album The Atlantic Family Live at Montreux.
Fortune died of a stroke at the age of 79 in October 2018.
Discography
As leader
- 1966: Trip on the Strip with Stan Hunter
- 1974: Long Before Our Mothers Cried
- 1975: Awakening
- 1976: Waves of Dreams
- 1977: Serengeti Minstrel
- 1978: Infinity Is
- 1979: With Sound Reason
- 1984: Laying It Down
- 1986: Great Friends
- 1987: Invitation
- 1991: It Ain't What It Was
- 1993: Monk's Mood
- 1994: Four in One
- 1995: A Better Understanding
- 1996: From Now On
- 2000: In the Spirit of John Coltrane
- 2003: Continuum
- 2007: You and the Night and the Music
- 2009: ''Last Night at Sweet Rhythm''
As sideman
With Rabih Abou-KhalilBukra Al-JadidaWith Nat AdderleyOn the Move Blue Autumn Autumn Leaves Work Song: Live at Sweet Basil
With Billy BangVietnam: The Aftermath
With Kenny BarronInnocence
With Gary BartzAlto Memories
With George BensonTell It Like It Is
With Miles DavisBig Fun Get Up with It Agharta Pangaea
With Dizzy GillespieCloser to the Source
With Elvin JonesElvin Jones Jazz Machine Live at Pit Inn When I Was at Aso-Mountain In Europe It Don't Mean a Thing
With Charles MingusThree or Four Shades of Blues
With Alphonse MouzonThe Essence of Mystery
With Pharoah SandersIzipho Zam (My Gifts)
With Melvin SparksAkilah!
With Leon SpencerBad Walking Woman Where I'm Coming From
With Charles SullivanGenesis
With McCoy TynerSahara Song for My Lady
With Mal WaldronCrowd Scene Where Are You?
With Mongo Santamaría
- ''Stone Soul''