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69.02.10

SONNY SIMMONS

Sonny Simmons : Manhattan Egos (Arhoolie)     Sonny Simmons : Manhattan Egos (Arhoolie)

• Manhattan Egos, Arhoolie 8003 (LP, USA), 1969
• Manhattan Egos, Arhoolie CD 483 (CD), 2000 *

February 10, 1969
Sierra Sound Studios, Berkeley, USA

1. Coltrane In Paradise (Sonny Simmons) [11:46]
2. The Prober (Sonny Simmons) [9:28]
3. Manhattan Egos (Sonny Simmons) [8:22]
4. Seven Dances Of Salome (Sonny Simmons) [7:01]
5. Visions (Sonny Simmons) [6:08]

Sonny Simmons : alto saxophone, English horn
Barbara Donald : trumpet
Juma [Sultan] : bass, congo drums
Paul Smith : drums
Voodoo Bembe : congo drums (#4)

producer : Chris Strachwitz

note :

* : The CD reissue features 4 bonus tracks with Michael White. See 70.11.06 below.

 

69.03.06

SONNY SIMMONS/+V/A

• Juma's Archive (electronic download, USA), 2007

March 6, 1969
Live at the "True Creation From Vibration", NYC, USA*

1. For Posterity (Sonny Simmons) [0:30] **

Sonny Simmons : alto saxophone
Dewey Redman : tenor saxophone
Barbara Donald : trumpet
Juma Sultan : bass
Paul Smith : drums

notes :

* : The "True Creation From Vibration" was a gallery on the 3rd. Street in Manhattan where Sonny Simmons would rehearse his larger groups in public.
** : Edited down from a [7:53] performance.

 

69.07.31, 69.08.01

SONNY SIMMONS

Sonny Simmons : Rumasuma

• Rumasuma, Contemporary M-3623 (mono LP, USA), 1970
• Rumasuma, Contemporary S-7623 (stereo LP, USA), 1970
• Rumasuma, King SR-3099 (LP, Japan), 197?

July 31 & August 1, 1969
Contemporary’s studio, Los Angeles, USA

1. Rumasuma (Sonny Simmons) [10:52]
2. Back To The Apple (Sonny Simmons) [10:32]
3. Reincarnation (Sonny Simmons) [11:36]
4. For Posterity (Sonny Simmons) [10:38]

Sonny Simmons : alto saxophone
Barbara Donald : trumpet
Mike Cohen : piano
Jerry Sealund : bass
Bill Pickens : bass
Billy Higgins : drums

producer : Lester Koenig

 

70.07.24

BERT WILSON/SONNY SIMMONS/+V/A.

Bert Wilson, Sonny Simmons and James Zitro : The Mystic Rites Of Sound

• Bert Wilson, Sonny Simmons, James Zitro, Bob Saunderson, Kenneth Jenkins, The Mystic Rites Of Sound, Dr. Wheelz' Archives #5 (CD-R, USA), 2005

July 24, 1970 *
Bert Wilson’s home, Berkeley, USA

1. Ritual Invocation Of The Wailing Demons/Communion Of The High Priests/... resolving to... An Unanswered Question (Bert Wilson/Sonny Simmons/Bob Saunderson/Kenny Jenkins/James Zitro) [30:54]
2. Spirits Of The Cosmic Voice... Dare Us To Be Free ---- And We---- AGREE!! (Bert Wilson/Sonny Simmons/Bob Saunderson/Kenny Jenkins/James Zitro) [30:32]

Bert Wilson : tenor saxophone
Sonny Simmons : alto saxophone
Bob Saunderson : flute
Kenny Jenkins : bass violin
James Zitro : percussion

note :

* : The performance is part of what Bert Wilson calls the Berkeley Mutation Center Summer Festival. See section B., 70.07.23, for the previous date.

 

70.09.20

PRINCE LASHA/FIREBIRDS

Prince Lawsha and Firebirds featuring Sonny Simmons : Live At Monterey Jazz Festival Vol.III (Birdseye)

• Prince Lawsha Firebirds, Live at Monterey Jazz Festival Vol.III, Birdseye series 99001 (LP, USA), 1976

September 20, 1970 *
Monterey, USA

1. Scarlet Ibis Birds (Prince Lasha) [17:41]
2. Journey To Zoar (Prince Lasha) [14:12]

Prince Lasha : alto saxophone, flute
Sonny Simmons : alto saxophone, English horn
Bobby Hutcherson : vibraphone
Buster Williams : bass
Charles Moffett : drums

producer : Prince Lasha

note :

* : Down Beat add for the festival.

 

70.11.06

SONNY SIMMONS/MICHAEL WHITE

• Manhattan Egos, Arhoolie CD 483 (CD), 2000 *

November 6, 1970
Live at the Newman Center, Berkeley, USA

1. Beings Of Light (Sonny Simmons) [13:08]
2. Purple Rays (Sonny Simmons) [12:36]
3. Divine Magnet (Michael White) [3:21]
4. The Beauty Of Ibis (Sonny Simmons) [6:55]

Sonny Simmons : tenor saxophone
Michael White : violin
Kenny Jenkins : bass
Eddie Marshall : drums

producers : Chris Strachwitz and Sonny Simmons

note :

* : Reissue. See 69.02.10 for details.

 

70.11.24

SONNY SIMMONS

Huey Sonny Simmons : Burning Spirits     Sonny Simmons : Burning Spirits

• Huey Simmons, Burning Spirits, Contemporary 7625-26 (2LP, USA), 1971
• Huey Simmons, Burning Spirits, King SR-3123/4 (2LP, Japan), 197?
• Sonny Simmons, Burning Spirits, Contemporary CCD-7625/26-2 (CD), 2003

November 24, 1970
Contemporary’s studio, Los Angeles, USA

1. Burning Spirits no. 1 (Sonny Simmons) [11:30]
2. New Newk (Sonny Simmons) [11:38]
3. Healing Rays (Sonny Simmons) [15:51]
4. Burning Spirits no. 2 (Sonny Simmons) [13:43]
5. Things And Beings (Sonny Simmons) [9:24]
6. E=mc2 (Sonny Simmons) [16:55]

Sonny (Huey) Simmons : tenor and alto saxophones, English horn
Barbara Donald : trumpet (#1, 3-4, 6)
Michael White : violin (#1, 3-6)
Lonnie Liston Smith : piano (#2, 5)
Richard Davis : bass
Cecil McBee : bass (#1, 3-6)
Clifford Jarvis : drums

producer : Lester Koenig

 

71.00.00

BERT WILSON/SONNY SIMMONS/+V/A.

Bert Wilson, Sonny Simmons and Barbara Donald : Kozmic Communication

• Bert Wilson, Sonny Simmons, Barbara Donald, Bobby Natanson, Bobby Addison, Kozmic Communication, Dr. Wheelz' Archives #4 (CD-R, USA), 2005

1971
Bert Wilson’s home, Berkeley, USA

1. Kosmic Boogaloo (Bert Wilson/Sonny Simmons/Barbara Donald/Bobby Natanson) [15:40]
2. Telepathic Swing (Bert Wilson/Sonny Simmons/Barbara Donald/Bobby Natanson/Bobby Addison) [51:04]

Bert Wilson : tenor saxophone, bass clarinet
Sonny Simmons : alto saxophone
Barbara Donald : trumpet
Bobby Addison : guitar (#2)
Bobby Natanson : percussion

 

71.09.10

BERT WILSON/SONNY SIMMONS/+V/A.

Bert Wilson, Bobby Addison, Sonny Simmons, Barbara Donald and Smiley Winters : Expanded Universe

• Bert Wilson, Bobby Addison, John Neuman, Smiley Winters, Sonny Simmons, Barbara Donald, Boby Natanson, Expanded Universe, Dr. Wheelz' Archives DWA #9 (CD-R, USA), 2005

September 10, 1971
Bert Wilson’s home, Berkeley, USA

1. Expanded Universe (Bert Wilson/Bobby Addison/John Neuman/Smiley Winters/Sonny Simmons/Barbara Donald/Bobby Natanson) [38:54]
2. Dusk (Bert Wilson) [17:27]
3. Well, You Needn't (Thelonious Monk) [16:57]

Bert Wilson : tenor saxophone
Sonny Simmons : alto saxophone (#1)
Barbara Donald : trumpet (#1)
Bobby Addison : guitar
John Neuman : bass
Smiley Winters : drums (#1,3)
Bobby Natanson : drums (#1,2)

 

71.12.24

BERT WILSON

Sonny Simmons, Bert Wilson, Barbara Donald, Smiley Winters and James Zitro : Xmas with Uncle Sonny

• Bert Wilson, Sonny Simmons, Smiley Winters, James Zitro, Barbara Donald, John Neumann, Christmas With Uncle Sonny, Dr. Wheelz' Archives #1&2 (2CD-R, USA), 2005 *

December 24, 1971
Bert Wilson’s home, Berkeley, USA

1. Good Morning/Merry Xmas Bird (Birdfeathers) (Bert Wilson/Smiley Winters) [9:38]
2. Xmas Dance At The Officer's Club/Johnuary Tranetarium (Bert Wilson/Sonny Simmons/Smiley Winters/James Zitro) [30:31]

Bert Wilson : saxophones
Sonny Simmons : saxophones, bamboo flute (#2)
James Zitro : drums, percussion (#2)
William “Smiley” Winters : drums, percussion

note :

* : See rest of the session and comment on 71.12.25.

 

71.12.25

BERT WILSON

• Bert Wilson, Sonny Simmons, Smiley Winters, James Zitro, Barbara Donald, John Neumann, Christmas With Uncle Sonny, Dr. Wheelz' Archives #1&2 (2CD-R, USA), 2004 *

December 25, 1971 **
Sonny Simmons’ home, San Francisco, USA

1. Xmas With Uncle Sonny 1 (Bert Wilson/Sonny Simmons/Smiley Winters/James Zitro/John Neumann) [45:30]
2. Xmas With Uncle Sonny 2 (Bert Wilson/Sonny Simmons/Smiley Winters/James Zitro/John Neumann) [18:54]
3. Xmas With Uncle Sonny 3 (Bert Wilson/Sonny Simmons/Smiley Winters/James Zitro/John Neumann) [5:01]

Bert Wilson : saxophones
Sonny Simmons : saxophones
Barbara Donald : trumpet
John Neumann : bass
James Zitro : drums, percussion
William “Smiley” Winters : drums, percussion

notes :

* : See rest of the session on 71.12.24.

** : « Bert recorded for 3 days at 2 locations and calls the series Christmas with Uncle Sonny : Starting at Bert's house the afternoon of Christmas Eve, Sonny, Zitro and another great percussionist, Smiley Winters are partying & playing. Bert saved snippets of conversation along with some blistering music a reel of tape was recorded that afternoon. Christmas eve, all but Smiley Winters crossed the bridge to Sonny's house in San Francisco, Zitro's and Barbra & Sonny's children were playing around the edges of the music. Barbara Donald contributes to the ensembles & plays some great solos. The next day, the group was joined by Smiley, along with bassist John Neumann and the music continued into the evening when the group again headed back to Bert's place in Berkeley, across the bay. Bert recorded 3 reels of this music, I think the originals are BASF tape, which is good quality. » (Nancy Curtis)

 

72.00.00

BERT WILSON/SONNY SIMMONS/+V/A.

Bert Wilson, Sonny Simmons, Barbara Donald and James Zitro ; Palo Colorado Suite

• Bert Wilson, Sonny Simmons, Barbara Donald, Michael Cohen, Dennis Parker, James Zitro, Palo Colorado Suite, Dr. Wheelz' Archives #7 (CD-R, USA), 2005

Summer 1972
Palo Colorado Canyon, Big Sur, USA

1. Para-phrase On New Newk (Sonny Simmons) [21:53]
2. Sonny's Tune (Sonny Simmons) [10:29]
3. Untitled (Bert Wilson/Sonny Simmons/Barbara Donald/Michael Cohen/Dennis Parker/James Zitro) [36:04]

Bert Wilson : tenor and baritone saxophones
Sonny Simmons : alto saxophone
Barbara Donald : trumpet
Michael Cohen : organ
Dennis Parker : bass guitar
James Zitro : percussion

 

72.08.01

SMILEY WINTERS

James Bronson Jr present Les Oubliés du Jazz ensemble featuring Smiley Winters and Sonny Simmons playing "That" Nigger Music on Touché records     William Richard Smiley Winters Sr. Esq. H.M.I.C (Head Musician In Charge)      James Bronson Jr present Les Oubliés du Jazz ensemble featuring Smiley Winters and Sonny Simmons playing "That" Nigger Music on Touché records     N-Side : Three Voices From The N-Side (A Poetic Tribute To William "Smiley" Winters) Click second image from the left to enlarge it.

• Les Oubliés de Jazz Ensemble featuring William “Smiley” Winters, Playing “That” Nigger Music, Touché Records TRLP 101 (LP, USA), 1976 {1}
• Smiley Winters, William Richard “Smiley” Winters Sr., Esq., H.M.I.C. (Head Musician In Charge), Touché Records TRLPS-103 (LP, USA), 1987 * {2}
• Les Oubliés du Jazz Ensemble, “That” Nigg/Er/Ur/Ah Music !, Touché Records TRCD 101 (2CD, USA), 2003 {3} **
• N-Side, Three Voices From The N-Side, Shalamar Records (CD, USA), 2005 {4} ***

August 1st, 1972
Sierra Sound Studios, Berkeley, USA

1. The Introduction {1,2} / a.k.a. Marie Braure {3}
2. Nigger-UR-AH-Musician {1} /a.k.a. Smiley's Introduction {2} / a.k.a. “Smiley” Winters {3} / ak.a. Vanguard Five {4}
3. Nigger-UR-AH-Music {1,2} / a.k.a. Nigger Music ! {3}
4. Persona Non Grata {1} / a.k.a. Persona Non Grata (UC Berkley Blues) {3}
5. Just For “Smiles” {1,3} / a.k.a. Voices {4}
6. Quelle Est Votre Raison D’Etre {1,2,3} / a.k.a. Vanguard Dreams {4}
7. “Smiley” Winters Gitting Righteously Down ! {1} / a.k.a. Smiley Winters Playing Them Tubs {3}
8. Lay Out… Nigger Musician… Lay Out {3}
9. Epilogue {3}

William “Smiley” Winters : drums, conductor
Sonny Simmons : alto and tenor saxophones, English horn
Barbara Donald : trumpet
C.L. Jones : tenor saxophone
Sonny Lewis : tenor saxophone, flute
Jules Rowell : trombone
Ed Kelly : electric piano
Ray Drummond : bass
Melvin Simmons : bass
Marie Braure: spoken introduction (#1)
Sugar Ree : voice (#2)

producer : James Bronson Jr.

note :

* : A compilation record, William Richard “Smiley” Winters Sr., Esq., H.M.I.C. covers Smiley Winter’s tenure with Touché records. Tracks were taken from That Nigger Music and an Al Tanner date from 1967, Happiness Is… Takin’ Care Of Natural Business… Dig ? (Touché records TRLP 100, 1968). Derek Styles has been able to locate a copy of this record: the following is the complet track-list of the LP.

Side 1 - 1. Introduction [1:45]
2. Smiley's Introduction [1:22]
3. Nigger/ur/ah Music [13:20]
4. Poor Me [6:29]
5. Lobby Lizards [3:20]

Side 2 - 1. Touche Smiles [13:24]
2. Quelle Est Votre Raison d'Etre [8:12]
3. Bronson's Blues [4:20]

** : The CD reissue features an hour-long compilation of “Smiley” Winters interviews as a bonus disc.

*** : In 2004 Norman A. Woods, poet and pianist also known as N-Side, added spoken words over the original recordings as part of "A poetic tribute to drummer extraordinaire: William 'Smiley' Winters". Only a sampler has been issued (the rest of the CD features 6 other tracks from 2 different sessions), but Shalamar Records is reported to prepare a full release, announced as Jazz Opera.

 

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A work in progress, © Julien Palomo, May 2006