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373

Album Review

Johnny Griffin: Griff 'n' Bags

by Douglas Payne
June 1, 1999

Well, not quite. Chicago tenor great Johnny ("Griff") Griffin is heard on five tunes and Milt ("Bags") Jackson, whose intention was to reunite with fellow MJQ founder Kenny Clarke for a Clarke-Boland Big Band project that never materialized, is heard on five different tunes.Despite slightly inaccurate labeling and packaging that doesn't explain itself until you open it, Griff 'n' Bags is an excellent collection of four Francy Boland-Jimmy Woode-Kenny Clarke sessions recorded between 1967 and 1969. The 16 ...

421

Album Review

Johnny Griffin: Live/Autumn Leaves

by John Sharpe
April 1, 1998

Back in the heyday of bop, Griffin earned a reputation as “the world's fastest saxophonist." Judging by the breakneck tempo he sets on this CD's title cut, you'd think he was trying to hold on to that moniker! Recorded in Paris in 1981, Live showcases Griffin, pianist Ronnie Mathews, bassist Ray Drummond and drummer Kenny Washington performing 3 standards and 2 originals that give the “little giant" plenty of room to blow. I don't think anyone has plowed through “Autumn ...