Sonny Clark

Conrad Yeatis (Sonny) Clark (July 21, 1931 in Herminie, Pennsylvania – January 13, 1963 in New York City) was an American hard bop pianist.

An underappreciated jazz artist during his time, Sonny Clark's works have become much more famous after his death. Strongly influenced by Bud Powell, Sonny Clark is known for his unique touch, sense of melody and complex hard-swinging style.

Clark was born and raised in Herminie, Pennsylvania, a coal mining town southeast of Pittsburgh. At age 12, he moved to Pittsburgh. When visiting an aunt in California at age 20, Clark decided to stay and began working with saxophonist Wardell Gray. Clark went to San Francisco with Oscar Pettiford and after a couple months, was working with clarinetist Buddy DeFranco in 1953. Clark toured the U.S. and Europe with DeFranco until January 1956, when he joinedThe Lighthouse All-Stars, led by bassist Howard Rumsey.

Wanting to get back to the east coast, Clark served as accompanist for singer Dinah Washington in February 1957 in order to relocate to New York City at age 25. In New York, Clark, a comper, was often requested as a sideman by many musicians. He frequently recorded for Blue Note Records, on which he played as a sideman with many hard bop players, including: Kenny Burrell, Donald Byrd, Paul Chambers, John Coltrane, Dexter Gordon, Art Farmer, Curtis Fuller, Grant Green, Philly Joe Jones, Clifford Jordan, Jackie McLean, Hank Mobley, Art Taylor, and Wilbur Ware. He also recorded sessions with Charles Mingus, Sonny Rollins, Billie Holiday, Stanley Turrentine, and Lee Morgan.

Although his compositions were relatively rare, the few that were recorded have achieved a cult following, most notably among Japanese jazz enthusiasts. A drug addict, he died of a heroin overdose.

As a band leader, Clark recorded albums Sonny Clark Trio (1957), with Paul Chambers and Philly Joe Jones, and Cool Struttin' (1958). Sonny Clark Trio, with George Duvivier and Max Roach was released in 1960.

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