Johnny Griffin - Introducing Johnny Griffin (1956/2019) [24bit FLAC]

When it comes to playing exciting straight ahead jazz, Johnny Griffin was always impossible to top. Billed as “the world’s fastest saxophonist,” Griffin was a powerful force from the beginning of his career, playing every note with intensity. Born in Chicago, the tenor was a member early on of the Lionel Hampton Big Band (1945-47), played r&b with Joe Morris, jammed with Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk, and was an important part of the Chicago jazz scene before moving to New York in 1956. He became an early influence on the sound of Rahsaan Roland Kirk and was renowned in the Midwest even before he led his first albums.

By then there was much more to him than just speed for Griffin could show a great deal of warmth on ballads and plenty of sophistication even at the most rapid tempos. But one cannot imagine anyone defeating him in a saxophone battle, even Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis (with whom he co-led a notable group) or John Coltrane. He had a long and productive career that for decades found him playing the hard-charging bebop and warm ballads that he most loved.

While Introducing Johnny Griffin was actually the 28-year old’s album as a leader, it was his Blue Note debut and one of the milestones of his career. Joined by an unbeatable rhythm section with Wynton Kelly and Max Roach, Griffin excels on barn-busters and ballads alike. A master at ripping effortlessly through chord changes, Johnny Griffin displays youthful energy along with the maturity of a veteran, sounding very much like himself throughout this superb outing.

Even if the tenor had stopped playing right after recording Introducing Johnny Griffin, he would be known as one of the great tenor-saxophonists of the era.

Bass – Curly Russell
Drums – Max Roach
Piano – Wynton Kelly