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....