mick laBriola

William “Sonny” Criss (23 October 1927 – 19 November 1977) was an American jazzmusician.

An alto saxophonist of prominence during the bebop era of jazz, he was one of many players influenced by Charlie Parker.

William Mansfield Turner, known to the world as Sonny Criss, was born in Memphis, Tennessee, United States, and moved to Los Angeles at the age of 15. He then went on to play in various bands including Howard McGhee‘s, which also featured Charlie Parker, Sonny’s idol. In 1977, Criss was preparing to tour Japan but developed stomach cancer. As a consequence of this painful condition, Criss committed suicide (self-inflicted gunshot) in 1977, in his adopted city of Los Angeles. He never married, but had one son, Steven Criss.