Career
He had some success in the 1960s, but had fallen into obscurity by the late 1970s. Sonny Red played with Art Blakey, Curtis Fuller, Paul Quinichette, Donald Byrd, Grant Green, Blue Mitchell, Wynton Kelly, Billy Higgins and Cedar Walton. Sonny Red made two albums as a leader in 1961, both of which were released on Jazzland Records, a subsidiary of Riverside Records, and long out of print.
Fantasy Records has since combined these two LPs, "The Mode" and "Images" on one Civil Defense. Both of these albums have their melodic side as well as bopish lines that may remind those unfamiliar with Sonny Red of Jackie McLean rather than Paul Desmond, to whom Red bears no resemblance for an alto comparison.
lieutenant is played in the "50"s - "60"s Blue Note style bop. Album Personnel: Sonny Red-alto sax, Grant Green-guitar, Barry Haris-piano, George Tucker-bass, Jimmy Cobb-drums on 1,3,5.
Cedar Walton-piano, George Tucker-bass, Jimmy Cobb-bass on 2,4,6,7. Blue Mitchell-trumpet (8-10 only), Grant Green-guitar (11-12 only), Barry Harris-piano, George Tucker-bass, Lex Humphries, Jimmy Cobb (11-13 only) - drums.