Sonny Red

Sonny Red – born Sylvester Kyner Jr. on December 17, 1932, in Detroit, Michigan – was a hard bop jazz alto saxophonist and composer. While he released several albums as a leader, he is best known for his work with artists such as Donald Byrd, Curtis Fuller, Art Blakey, Wynton Kelly, and many others. While still in his teens, he started his professional career performing with Barry Harris from 1948 until 1952. Sonny Red also performed with Art Blakey (1954) and recorded three albums with Curtis Fuller in 1957. That same year, he collaborated with Art Pepper on the album Two Altos. He came to prominence in 1960 with the release of his album Out of the Blue, which was released on the legendary Blue Note Records label. He recorded several more albums in the early 1960s – including two with Grant Green and Barry Harris – before becoming a sideman for Donald Byrd, Yusef Lateef, Bobby Timmons, and others. Sonny Red released a self-titled album in 1971 before disappearing from the music scene. He died on March 20, 1981, at the age of 48.

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