MILLENNIUM by King Sonny Zorro
Born Andrew Jackson Duffield, June 9, 1942 in Jonesborough, TN. Sonny was raised in Santa Rosa, CA from 5 years old, descended from hill billy stock with country music roots. He learned to play the saxophone at age 12, but his family wanted him to go into sports as he was such a great footballer. During his senior year in high school he was, unfortunately, in a very serious car accident which put him in hospital for a whole year and left him with a limp. It changed the course of his life. As he could no longer play sports he turned to his music and art for solace. He became a great musician, songwriter and artist. He will live forever in our hearts.
Legend has it that King Sonny first saw Jimi Hendrix play with the Isley Brothers on the Johnny Otis Show in 1964. One night while performing at a popular 60s cafe in San Francisco King Sonny wrote "Purple Haze" and dedicated it to Hendrix. Janis Joplin told him to write it down on a napkin and she gave it to Jimi. The rest is history.....
He played saxophone for many years with Roland Kirk, Richard Grup-Holmes, Merl Saunders and other well known musicians of that era. He was a student of Benny Harris in Venice Beach (the originator of "Beep Bop" jazz) during the early 70s. Among the strongest musical influences in his life have been Billie Holliday, Miles Davis, Roland Kirk, Joni Mitchell, Janis Joplin and Benny Harris.
Sonny moved onto Venice Beach in 1981 where he became the 'King of Venice' living his homeless existence in the spirit of humility. He felt he must live true to his art, music and beliefs and didn't want anything to get in the way. He could have collected DSSI but considered it "intrusive", preferring to be independent. This is the only way, he said, that he could learn what he needed - something to do with the renowned "Garbage Can" school of artists !
Tracklist
| 1. | Millennium | 3:53 |
| 2. | St James Infirmary | 3:16 |
| 3. | Gotta Help Me | 5:24 |
| 4. | Rock 'n' Roll Queen | 3:38 |
| 5. | Queen Bee | 4:38 |
| 6. | Blue O'Clock | 3:01 |
| 7. | Death Don't | 4:09 |
| 8. | Goddess | 2:07 |
| 9. | Venice Beach | 3:14 |
Credits
King Sonny Zorro (vocals, guitar), Harmonica Dave (harmonica), Lucien Lewis (recording engineer, co-producer), Barbara Peck (producer, exec. producer), The Benefit Network (studio)
License
All rights reserved.
KING OF VENICE
- played saxophone for many years with Roland Kirk, Richard Grup-Holmes, Merl Saunders and other well known musicians of that era. He was a student of Benny Harris in Venice Beach (originator of "BeepBop" jazz) during the early 70s. Among the strongest musical influences in his life have been Billie Holliday, Miles Davis, Roland Kirk, Joni Mitchell, Janis Joplin and Benny Harris.