[1] An alto saxophonist of prominence during the bebop era of jazz, he was one of many players influenced by Charlie Parker.

William Mansfield Turner, known to the world as Sonny Criss, was born in Memphis, Tennessee, United States,[2] and moved to Los Angeles at the age of 15.

He then went on to play in various bands including Howard McGhee's, which also featured Charlie Parker, Sonny's idol.

Prestige signed Criss in 1965, and he continued to record well-acclaimed albums which were mainly rooted in hard bop traditions and a superlative mastery of the blues.

As a consequence of this painful condition, Criss committed suicide (self-inflicted gunshot) in 1977,[2] in his adopted city of Los Angeles.