We begin with a heartwarming story courtesy of the July 27-August 2, 2008 issue of American Profile magazine headlined “Hometown Heroes: Jazzing Up the Big Easy.” It's a moving account of how students at New Trier High School in Winnetka, IL, led by music director Jim Warrick, spent their spring break not on the beaches in Florida but in the heart of storm-ravaged New Orleans spreading music,
Johnny Griffin , tenor saxophonist, b. Chicago 4-24-28, d. at his home in the French countryside, 7--27-08 -- such bare facts don't say much about the music this man could wring from his instrument, back when jazz giants entertained the earth.
The world of jazz lost a titan today with the passing of Chicago-born saxophonist Johnny Griffin. A fireplug of a man, Mr. Griffin earned the nickname "The Little Giant" for his speed and control at bebop improvising. He a product of Captain Walter Dyett's legendary music program at DuSable High School, which also produced his contemporaries Von Freeman, Gene Ammons, Nat King Cole
Johnny Griffin, often called “the world’s fastest saxophonist,” died today, July 25, at his home in the village of Mauprevoir, southwest France, at the age of 80. The cause was not announced, however, the bop tenor legend had been scheduled to perform tonight.
Johnny Griffin, a tenor saxophonist from Chicago whose speed, control and harmonic acuity made him one of the most talented American jazz musicians of his generation yet who spent most of his career in Europe, died Friday at his home in Availles-Limouzine, France.
PARIS Jazz saxophonist Johnny Griffin, who played with America's greats including Thelonious Monk and Lionel Hampton but chose to live in France, died hours before a concert, his agent said Saturday. He was 80.
Joe Beck, an acclaimed jazz guitarist whose career began in the 1960s, died of complications from lung cancer on July 22nd in Woodbury, Conn. Beck would have turned 63 on July 29th.
Ever since March, when the veteran tenor saxophonist Houston Person and the dynamic guitarist Russell Malone threw sparks during a few tunes together at a Highlights in Jazz concert, I've been anxious to hear the two in a full-length collaboration. So far it hasn't happened, but on Wednesday evening, I created my own de facto Person-Malone matchup by catching Mr. Person at Jazzmobile and then
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