Johnny Griffin

2 LPs ON 1 CD + 1 BONUS TRACK

Little Johnny Griffin (1928-2008) was a first-class blower, a tenorman who believed in the inspiration of the moment and reacting to circumstances, as is self-evident on the two albums included in this set. ‘Little Giant’ is one of those rare items that elicit a visceral response from the listener. Direct and virile, Griffin never allows his supreme command of the instrument to obscure the emotional burden of his playing; he simply compells attention no matter the musical context. Here it’s provided by Norman Simmons, who composed three pieces and scored them for the three horns, and a quality rhythm section led by pianist Wynton Kelly.

Standout tracks include “The Message” and Griffin’s “63rd Street Theme.” Interestingly, Griffin reveals a sizeable Don Byas influence on Babs Gonzales’ lovely “Lonely One,” played by tenor, bass and drums. On the others, Blue Mitchell, Julian Priester and Kelly’s solos contribute enormously to the album’s success. On ‘Change of Pace’, the rich, swinging combination of two basses (one bowed, the other plucked) blended with drums, and the addition of the woody, mellow sound of Watkins’ cool, calm French horn—to contrast with Griffin’s knife-edged tenor saxophone—opens some unusually interesting possibilities for jazz explorations.

(1-6) from the Riverside album The Little Giant (RLP-1149)
Johnny Griffin Sextet:
Blue Mitchell (trumpet)
Julian Priester (trombone)
Johnny Griffin (tenor sax)
Wynton Kelly (piano)
Sam Jones (bass)
Albert Heath (drums).
On track #3 only Griffin, Jones and Heath.
Recorded at Reeves Sound Studios, New York City, August 4 & 5, 1959.

(7-15) from the Riverside album Change of Pace (RLP-9368)
Johnny Griffin Quintet
Julius Watkins (french horn)
Johnny Griffin (tenor sax)
Bill Lee, Larry Gales (basses)
Ben Riley (drums).
Recorded at Plaza Sound Studios, New York City, February 7 (#7,10,13,15) & 18 (#8,9,11,12 & 14), 1961

(16) from the Riverside 45 rpm single Soft and Furry / Guns of Navarone (RLP-4506)
Johnny Griffin (tenor sax), with unidentified rhythm section.. Recorded in 1961

01. Olive Refractions (Simmons) 4:15
02. The Message (Simmons) 7:20
03. Lonely One (Gonzales) 4:06
04. 63rd Street Theme (Griffin) 7:30
05. Playmates (Dowell) 4:18
06. Venus and the Moon (Simmons) 6:29
07. Soft and Furry (Griffin) 3:38
08. In the Still of the Night (Porter) 3:25
09. The Last of the Fat Pants (Griffin) 4:17
10. Same to You (Griffin) 4:19
11. Connie’s Bounce (Lee) 3:55
12. Situation (Watkins) 3:51
13. Nocturne (Lee) 5:21
14. Why Not? (Griffin) 4:57
15. As We All Know (Lee) 4:44
Bonus Track:
16. Guns of Navarone (Tiomkin) 2:34