Masters of Jazz

by Johnny Griffin

Overview

Johnny Griffin is heard with several different groups in this compilation of live performances collected from three separate CDs (Johnny Griffin/Art Taylor in Copenhagen, Tough Tenors Back Again!, and Catharsis!). The first three tracks come from the date with Taylor, highlighted by their explosive romp through "Wee Dot," in which bassist Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen is barely audible and pianist Kenny Drew sits out for nearly the entire track. The overly long introduction to "A Night in Tunisia" is a tradeoff between the leader's tenor and a vocal chant, though all is well once the actual piece is underway. Two songs come from a 1984 meeting with Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, in which the two tenor saxophonists are reunited for superb extended uptempo workouts of "Blues Up and Down" and "Lester Leaps In." The final three selections come from a 1989 concert, with Kenny Drew once more on hand leading a local rhythm section in Copenhagen, including a through exploration of Griffin's lively improvised "Slukefter Blues." Serious fans will want to find all three original CDs, though collectors on a budget will enjoy this compilation. ~ Ken Dryden

Product Details

Release Date:	10/03/2006
Label:	Storyville
UPC:	0717101850723
Rank:	126130

Tracks

1. Wee Dot
2. Exactly Like You
3. A Night in Tunisia
4. Blues Up and Down
5. Lester Leaps In
6. Just Friends
7. Slukefter Blues
8. Rhythm-A-Ning

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Johnny Griffin   Primary Artist,Sax (Tenor)
Jens Melgaard   Bass
Curtis Lundy   Bass
Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis   Sax (Tenor)
Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen   Bass
Harry Pickens   Piano
Kenny Washington   Drums

Technical Credits

J.J. Johnson   Composer
Frank Paparelli   Composer
Gene Ammons   Composer
Dizzy Gillespie   Composer
Johnny Griffin   Composer
John Klenner   Composer
Sam M. Lewis   Composer
Lester Young   Composer
Thelonious Monk   Composer
Hans Nielsen   Engineer
Anders Stefansen   Producer
Jimmy McHugh   Composer
Dorothy Fields   Composer
Jan Persson   Photography
Pearce Marchbank   Design
David Redfern   Photography
The Mike Hennessey Chastet   Liner Notes,Biographical Information
Sonny Stitt   Composer