Sonny Fortune Comes to Erie and Performs at the Erie Art Museum

Erie, PA, November 05, 2014 --(PR.com)-- Sonny Fortune, the great alto saxophonist, flutist and composer, will perform at the Erie Arts Museum in partnership with Jazz Erie on November 8, 2014 at 8:00 p.m.

The Erie Art Museum has partnered with Jazz Erie to bring the Sonny Fortune Quartet, Sonny Fortune on saxophone and flute, Michael Cochrane on piano, David Williams on bass and Steve Johns on Drums.

Sonny Fortune was 18 years old when he decided to pursue a career in Jazz. When in New York City he had a brief run with Elvin Jones and Frank Foster. After moving to California for a short time, Fortune settled back east and began working with vocalist Leon Thomas and then joining McCoy Turner. During this period, Fortune started playing soprano saxophone and cemented his solid reputation as an instrumental innovator with contributions on Tyner’s albums, Sahara, Song For My Lady, and Song of the New World.

Fortune tapped into his admiration for other jazz musicians like John Coltrane, Charlie Parker and Sonny Rollins when he went on to work independently with his own ensemble and also with drummer Buddy Rich. In September 1874, Miles Davis offered Sonny a job in his fusion group and recorded four LPs, Big Fun, Agartha, Pangaea and Get Up With It.

Over the years Sonny has also recorded with such greats as Dizzy Gillespie, Elvin Jones, Oliver Nelson, George Benson and Nat Adderly.

"Of all of Trane's lasting contributions, perhaps the greatest to the future of improvised music was his example of spiritual integrity and physical drive. Sonny blows with both." - Howard Mandel

Join them to experience the riveting improviser and Jazz musician Sonny Fortune at the Erie Art Museum’s Special Events Room on Saturday, November 8, 2014 at 8:00 p.m.