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 joined The Lighthouse All-Stars, led by bassist Howard Rumsey. Wanting to get read more...