Jared Griffin

Jimmy Griffin, co-founder of the soft rock super group "BREAD", who's hits "Baby I'm A Want You", "Guitar Man", "Make It With You", "If", "Diary", "Aubrey" "It Don't Matter To Me", and "Sweet Surrender". This CD set gives you an in-depth look at Griffin’s masterful song writing, incredible vocals, and impeccable musicianship. Wraysong Records has been working for years to collect the music of Jimmy Griffin. Martha Griffin gave long time friend Ray Chafin all the recorded material from Jimmy's archives, and Ray has worked diligently to restore and re-master every one, so that he can now share Jimmy's mostly unheard, and some unreleased music with you!

Johnny Griffin recorded this studio album during his first visit to the United States in 15 years. Accompanied by a very supportive trio (pianist Ronnie Mathews, bassist Ray Drummond and drummer Keith Copeland), the great tenor is in frequently exuberant form on such tunes as "Autumn Leaves," his own "A Monk's Dream" and the funky "The Way It Is." Long one of the underrated masters, Johnny Griffin is heard at the peak of his powers on this modern bop session.

Avid Jazz continues with its Four Classic Album series with a re-mastered 2CD release from Johnny Griffin & Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, complete with original artwork, liner notes and personnel details. “Tough Tenors”; “Lookin’ At Monk”; “Blues Up And Down” and “Griff & Lock”.
Two tough tenors, indeed! These two titans of the tenor sax both had wildly prolific careers but somehow found the time to come together as a hard blowing unit from 1960-1962. Discovering they had compatible styles on their chosen tenors the pair decided to form their famous quintet where you will hear, rather than perhaps the expected cutting sessions, their styles perfectly complimenting each other…

Johnny Griffin had been kicking around in R&B bands for years before his Blue Note debut in 1956. A tenor saxophonist with fresh sounds, a warm, soulful style and the fastest technique in jazz, he moves from lyrical ballads to blistering tempos with ease. The first-class accompaniment is provided by Wynton Kelly, Curly Russell and Max Roach. Within two years, Griff would becomes one of the leading tenor saxophonists in jazz as a member of Thelonious Monk's quartet.

Johnny Griffin, known as the world's fastest tenor-saxophonist in the late 1950's, purposely slowed down a bit on some of his later Riverside albums including this set which was reissued on a 1998 CD. Griffin is joined by pianist Buddy Montgomery (who switches to vibes on two of the six numbers), bassist Monk Montgomery (heard in a rare outing on acoustic bass) and drummer Art Taylor. They perform four standards (including "The Midnight Sun Will Never Set" and "That's All") and a couple of Griffin's basic originals. The music swings and the classic tenorman cuts loose a few times, making for enjoyable if not quite essential music.

This fine 1993 release finds Griffin's in the company of such stellar guest soloists as trombonist Steve Turre, tuba player Dave Bargeron, and French horn player John Clark; the band's core is made up by Griffin's then regular quartet featuring pianist Michael Weiss, bassist Peter Washington, and drummer Kenny Washington. This supple but tight ensemble ably handle Griffin's rich store of seven originals and a cover of Cole Porter's "All Through the Night."