Johnny Griffin

Johnny Griffin Sextet

A pioneering figure in hard bop, tenor saxophonist

Johnny Griffin recorded prolifically as a bandleader

in addition to stints with pianist Thelonious Monk,

drummer Art Blakey, in partnership with fellow

tenor Eddie “Lockjaw†Davis, and as a member of

the Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland Big Band. Tired

of being underappreciated in the United States,

he went to live in Europe in 1963, a few years after

recording this wonderful sextet LP. There, Griffin

became the “first choice†sax player for visiting

American musicians touring the continent during

the ‘60s and ‘70s. He died at the age of 80 on

July 25, 2008 in Mauprévoir, France, near Availles-

Limouzine, where he had lived for the previous 24

years. Recorded on February 5, 1958, Johnny Griffin

Sextet was the saxophonist’s debut on Riverside

Records, for whom he would record a second

album, Way Out!, the very next day.

JOHNNY GRIFFIN, tenor sax

PEPPER ADAMS, baritone sax

DONALD BYRD, trumpet

KENNY DREW, piano

WILBUR WARE, bass

PHILLY JOE JONES, drums

New York, February 25 (A1-A2 & B1-B2)

& February 26-27 (A3-A4 & B3), 1958.

Adams & Byrd out on out on A3-A4 & B3.

Original sessions produced by Orrin Keepnews.

*BONUS TRACKS:

From the same sessions. Not on the original LP.

Originally issued on Griffin’s LP Way Out! (Riverside RLP 12-274).