Remembering Johnny Griffin

[newyorkernut3]

I was then and am glad to still be here.

I have written elsewhere about the time when

we shot the photos for "Tough Tenors' album Eddie

Lockjaw Davis sent me out for milk .I thought

He was thirsty ,but it was really was to soak his reeds.

Later he put scotch in that glass of milk and

drank It.

As soon as I had my draft card at age 18 I went

to Birdland the night of my birthday ,of course

Dizzy Gillespie and his band was playing that night and the Buddy Rich quartet (?). all in 1959.

[newyorkernut3]

I worked on many Riverside Record cover photo shoots at 210 Fifth avenue in NYC in 1961 . I think some of the great Johnny Griffin work was with Eddie Lockjaw Davis (with the awful idea as a title then"Tough Tenor's" ) in any event we loved there work together hearing them perform at the original Birdland. I have always wondered if tapes were ever made by ' Sym?phony Sid" when he broadcast live from Birdland on Friday nights from the "peanut gallery"? I heard John Coltrane there in'63...Cool!

[JazzVideoGuy]

you are VERY lucky to have been there then!

[yardandnewk]

Introducing Johnny Griffin was a life changing experience when I first heard it and it still is.

[daytube]

Beautiful, man!

[dreadtodred]

johnny could blow

[Soulnik]

I dig the Griff -- he sure could riff.

♥♥♥♥♥

[frankpearce]

Thanks Bret, Nice piece. What a fine artist.