Home » Jazz Musicians » Sonny Greenwich

Sonny Greenwich

In jazz circles Sonny Greenwich is a legend. He is a demanding performer totally dedicated to his art and uncompromising in his standards. An innovator, who has created his own distinct style for the guitar, he has many proteges, both in jazz and rock music. Rock bands such as 'Pink Floyd' and 'Genesis' have been influenced at some level by his music.

Born in Hamilton Ontario, Greenwich called Toronto home until the late '60s. He has resided exclusively in Montreal since l974.

The press describes Greenwich's musical command as absolute, his combination of serenity and power bring beauty and clarity to every note he plays, which leaves his audiences enthralled in reverent silence. Ultimately, it is the open expression and caring in his music that people completely relate to. His network of fans is as far reaching as the former Soviet Union.

This world-renowned jazz guitarist has played in major Canadian and American cities including a concert at Carnegie Hall and with such 'greats' as Miles Davis, Charles Lloyd, Wayne Shorter, Pharoah Sanders, McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea, saxophonist John Handy and Sun-Ra.

'Some critics regard (Greenwich) as the most important Canadian jazzman' states the New Grove Dictionary of Jazz, New York, l988. He has the distinction of being the only Canadian in Francis Wolff's book of jazz photography, The Blue Note Years, 1995, featuring legendary jazz artists from the Blue Note label. He is listed as one of the '10 Best Canadian Jazz Musicians of All Time' in the Canadian Book of Lists, l979. 'There is a deep emotion and sincerity in Sonny's music ... and I consider him a really rare kind of talent' writes Barney Kessel in The History of the Guitar in Jazz, l983. Greenwich's prominence has him written up in — the Canadian Encyclopedia; Jazz in Canada: Fourteen Lives, Mark Miller, 1982; Who's Who of Jazz in Montreal, John Gilmore 1989; Jazz Lives: 100 Portraits in Jazz, Gene Lees, photographs by John Reeves, l992 and featured in countless jazz magazines and articles.

Greenwich first drew notice for his jazz style in the early sixties, when both Horace Silver and Lee Morgan independently brought Greenwich's name to the attention of Alfred Lion at Blue Note Records. 1965 saw him in New York at the Village Vanguard with saxophonist Charles Lloyd. Greenwich's reputation brought him to the attention of saxophonist John Handy, with whom he played from December l966 through March l967, in Seattle, San Francisco and New York. Their concert appearance at Carnegie Hall, January 15th l967 was released on Columbia, 'Spirituals to Swing'. Also in New York that year, Greenwich recorded with Lee Morgan and saxophonist Hank Mobley on Mobley's album 'Third Season' for Blue Note Records and was preparing to record for Milestone's Orrin Keepnews when problems with his green card forced him to return to Canada.

Read more

Tags

18
Album Review

Hank Mobley: The Complete Hank Mobley Blue Note Sessions 1963-70

Read "The Complete Hank Mobley Blue Note Sessions 1963-70" reviewed by C. Andrew Hovan


The music world has changed considerably since Michael Cuscuna and Charlie Lourie founded their boutique reissue label Mosaic Records back in 1983. From its inception, vinyl was still the preferred format, shortly to be overtaken by the popularity of the compact disc. At the cusp of vinyl's recent resurgence, Mosaic briefly got back into that format only to find themselves on the brink of closing up shop. Fortunately, the powers that be have forged on and recent CD boxed sets ...

Read more articles
1

TV / Film

Documentary: Sonny Greenwich

Documentary: Sonny Greenwich

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers

Canadian guitarist Sonny Greenwich is still with us. He has performed with musicians such as Charles Lloyd, Wayne Shorter, Pharoah Sanders, McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea, John Handy and Sun Ra. So I was excited when I received the following last week from Matt LeGroulx in Montreal: Hi Marc. First, thank you and Brigitte Berman for making the Bix documentary available to your readers. What a great film. Second, I just came across “It Ain't All Jazz," a documentary about guitarist ...

Video / DVD

Sonny Greenwich in 10 Clips

Sonny Greenwich in 10 Clips

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers

Yesterday I received an email from Bob Miller in Canada. In his note, he mentioned Sonny Greenwich, a guitarist who is little-known in the U.S. but a favorite among musicians north of the border. Canada, of course, has produced its share of great jazz musicians, including Greenwich, multi-instrumentalist Don Thompson, saxophonist Moe Koffman, pianist Oscar Peterson and guitarists Lenny Breau and Ed Bickert, plus dozens of others. Today I'm showcasing Greenwich, whose style has always been distinct and whose edgy ...

124

Award / Grant

Sonny Greenwich Awarded Order of Canada

Sonny Greenwich Awarded Order of Canada

Source: All About Jazz

Sonny Greenwich becomes a Member of the Order of Canada for his exceptional contribution to Canada and Canadians in the area of Performing Arts/Music. This award is on par with being Knighted in England and is a lasting tribute.

Sonny has been ill for the last few months and many jazz musicians--including Joe Zawinul and Mccoy Tyner--would like to see recognition of him here at AAJ.

In jazz circles Sonny Greenwich is a legend. He is a demanding performer totally ...

Kerilie McDowall
guitar, electric

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

The Complete Hank...

Mosaic Records
2020

buy

Different Voices

Cornerstone Records Inc.
1997

buy

Live At Sweet Basil

Milestone Records
1988

buy

Bird Of Paradise

Milestone Records
1987

buy

Evol-ution, Love's...

Milestone Records
1979

buy

Videos

Similar

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.