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MILLENNIUM

by King Sonny Zorro

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    KING OF VENICE BEACH - GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN - When we met King Sonny Zorro we knew that he was a rare "jewel in the sand". We invited him to record a live album in our 8-track studio just as if he was on the beach at Venice, CA. Hence the title: "Venice Beach Tapes Vol 1 Millennium". He showed up with his buddy "Harmonica Dave" and they proceeded to dive into a live jam. We were so pleased with the results that we released it on our label: A Higher Cause. We had CDs made up and he would sell or trade them for food on the boardwalk in Venice. He had many friends who loved him dearly.
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1.
Millennium 03:53
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2.
St James Infirmary 03:15
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3.
Gotta Help Me 05:23
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4.
Rock 'n' Roll Queen 03:37
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5.
Queen Bee 04:38
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6.
Blue O'Clock 03:00
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7.
Death Don't 04:08
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8.
Goddess 02:06
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9.
Venice Beach 03:14
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about

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 !

credits

released August 8, 1998

King Sonny Zorro (vocals, guitar), Harmonica Dave (harmonica), Lucien Lewis (recording engineer, co-producer), Barbara Peck (producer, exec. producer), The Benefit Network (studio)

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King Sonny Zorro Los Angeles, California

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. ... more

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