Johnny Griffin's Biography
Once accurately billed as "the world's fastest saxophonist," Johnny Griffin (an influence tone-wise on Rahsaan Roland Kirk) has been one of the top bop-oriented tenors since the mid-'50s. He gained early experience playing with the bands of Lionel Hampton (1945-47) and Joe Morris (1947-50), and also jammed regularly with Thelonious Monk and Bud Powell. After serving in the Army (1951-1953), Griffin spent a few years in Chicago (recording his first full album for Argo) and then moved to New York in 1956. He held his own against fellow tenors John Coltrane and Hank Mobley on a classic Blue Note album, was with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers in 1957, and proved to be perfect with the Thelonious Monk quartet in 1958, where he really ripped through the complex chord changes with ease. During 1960-1962, Griffin co-led a "tough tenor" group with Eddie "lockjaw" Davis. He emigrated to Europe in 1963, and became a fixture on the Paris jazz scene both as a bandleader and a major soloist with the Kenny Clarke-Francy Boland big band. In 1973, Johnny Griffin moved to the Netherlands, but has remained a constant world traveler, visiting the U.S. often and recording for many labels including Blue Note, Riverside, Atlantic, SteepleChase, Black Lion, Antilles, Verve, and some European companies. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Johnny Griffin's Albums
- JG (2007)
- Left Alone: For Billy Holiday (2007)
- The Congregation [RVG Edition] (2006)
- Pisces (2004)
- Live/Autumn Leaves (2003)
- Johnny Griffin and the Great Danes (2003)
- Johnny Griffin & Steve Grossman Quintet (2001)
- In and Out (2000)
- Catharsis! (2000)
- Woe Is Me (2000)
- Grif N Bags (1999)
- Chicago, New York, Paris (1994)
- Hot Licks: Isfahan (1993)
- Dance of Passion (1993)
- 3 Dances-Of Passion (1992)
- The Cat (1990)
- Take My Hand (1988)
- The Swingin' (1987)
- Paris Reunion Band (1986)
- Tough Tenors Back Again! (1984)
- Call It Whachawana (1983)
- Meets Dexter Gordon (1981)
- To the Ladies (1979)
- NYC Underground (1979)
- Bush Dance (1978)
- Return of the Griffin (1978)
- Unpretentious Delights (1978)
- Live in Tokyo (1976)
- The Jamfs Are Coming (1975)
- Blues for Harvey (1973)
- Foot Patting (1970)
- You Leave Me Breathless (1967)
- The Man I Love (1967)
- Night Lady (1965)
- Salt Peanuts (1964)
- Grab This! (1963)
- Soul Groove (1963)
- Tough Tenor Favorites (1962)
- The Kerry Dancers and Other Swinging Folk (1961)
- White Gardenia (1961)
- Live at Minton's (1961)
- Change of Pace (1961)
- Lookin' at Monk (1961)
- Blues Up and Down (1961)
- Toughest Tenors (1960)
- Griff and Lock (1960)
- Tough Tenors (1960)
- Studio Jazz Party (1960)
- Wade in the Water (1960)
- The Big Soul Band (1960)
- The Little Giant (1959)
- Way Out! (1958)
- Johnny Griffin Sextet (1958)
- The Chicago Cookers (1957)
- The Congregation (1957)
- A Blowin' Session (1957)
- Introducing Johnny Griffin [Reissue] (1956)
- Introducing Johnny Griffin (1956)
- Introducing Johnny Griffin [RVG Edition] (1956)
- Chicago Calling (1956)
- Johnny Griffin (1956)
Compilations
- Johnny Griffin & Lockjaw Davis in Copenhagen (2007)
- Masters of Jazz (2006)
- A Blowin' Session [Classic] (2005)
- Big Band de Lausanne (2003)
- Quintet (2001)
- Les Incontournables (2000)
- Johnny Griffin/Art Taylor In Copenhagen (1999)
- Live at the Jazzhus Montmartre, Copenhagen (1998)
- Body & Soul (1990)
- The Little Giant [Original] (1958)
- Blowin' Sessions (1957)
- Fly, Mister, Fly (1947)
DVDs & Videos
Advertisement
Advertisement
