Sonny Criss

William "Sonny" Criss (October 23, 1927 - November 19, 1977) was an American jazz musician.

An alto saxophonist who came to modest prominence during the bebop era of jazz. Like his partial namesake,

William "Sonny" Criss (October 23, 1927 - November 19, 1977) was an American jazz musician.

An alto saxophonist who came to modest prominence during the bebop era of jazz. Like his partial namesake, Sonny Stitt, Criss was never considered a true innovator (see Charlie Parker), but was a stylist and exceptional player in his own right, and furthered the bebop vocabulary.