Like Fats Navarro and Charlie Parker before him, Sonny Clark’s life was short (July 21, 1931 – January 13, 1963) but it burned with musical intensity. Sonny Clark has been a cult pianist for many years, in part because Blue Note failed to keep his discs consistently in print. And now one of that examples, Clark’s rare vinyl original of album goes under the hammer in Paris this week, as part of late French actor Pierre Mondy’s collection.
Auctioneers Ferri have identified “Sonny Clark Trio”, an album recorded for the celebrated Blue Note label and first released in 1958, as the most sought-after individual recording on offer, valuing it at €500 ($650).
The whole Mondy’s collection will be on public display at the Hotel Drouot auction house all day on March 21 and the morning of the 22, prior to going under the hammer.
Other interesting items expected to draw interest from collectors include examples of every major jazz style with original recordings by Stan Getz, Oscar Peterson, Duke Ellington and Count Basie etc. Rare sleeves with artwork by David Stone Martin are also expected to generate interest.