A complete live performance by the great
Johnny Griffin that has never been previously
released. Recorded at Paff, Cologne, Germany, November 15, 1973.
He is showcased here as the only horn in a
quartet setting, with brilliant accompaniment
by Kenny Drew, Alby Cullaz and Art Taylor.
The set has excellent sound quality.
Among its many highlights is a superb
reading of “These Foolish Things”, which
Griffin only rarely recorded.
Includes 12-page booklet
Johnny Griffin went to live in Europe in 1963, following a trend
set by many American jazzmen who received greater
acknowledgement for their skills overseas. He first settled in
France, where he played with another famous expatriate on
several occasions: Bud Powell. Griffin moved to the Netherlands
in 1978. Apart from appearing regularly under his own name at
jazz clubs such as London's Ronnie Scott’s, Griffin became the
“first choice” sax player for visiting US musicians touring the
continent during the 60s and 70s.
In 1958 Griffin had made his first recordings with pianist Kenny
Drew, who accompanies him on this 1973 Cologne performance.
Griffin and Art Taylor had first recorded together in New York in
1962, during a live quartet date that also featured Wes
Montgomery’s brothers Buddy Montgomery on piano/vibraphone
and Monk Montgomery on bass (it was issued as Do Nothin’ Till
You Hear From Me). With the exception of the present 1973 set
in Cologne, Griffin only crossed paths with bassist Alby Cullaz
on one other recorded performance: a quintet concert co-led by
Griffin with Dizzy Gillespie recorded in Chateauvallon, France,
on August 29, 1971 (Art Taylor was the drummer). The first three
titles here were usual tunes in Griffin’s repertoire. The rarity here
is the last tune, an extended exploration of the standard “These
Foolish Things”. Griffin only recorded this song on three other
occasions. |