Johnny Griffin – Live at Ronnie Scott’s – In and Out Records

Johnny Griffin – Live at Ronnie Scott’s – In and Out Records IOR CD 77095-2 (Germany), 60:49 ****:
(Johnny Griffin, tenor sax; Roy Hargrove, trumpet, flugelhorn; James Pearson, piano (track #1 ); Paul Kuhn, piano (track #5); David Newton, piano on all other tracks; Reggie Johnson, bass;  Billy Cobham, drums)
Diminutive in size, but a giant on the tenor sax for over six decades, Johnny Griffin was nicknamed “The Little Giant.” He was known both for playing lightning fast as well as approaching Ben Webster as an interpreter of ballads. Griffin was one of the first major jazz artists to move to Europe (and for the most part remain), as he left the States in the early 1960s, and though he returned to mostly Chicago and New York occasionally for gigs and recording sessions, France became his residence.
After Johnny celebrated his 80th birthday in April 2008, a two-night engagement was set up for the most well known club in Europe, Ronnie Scott’s, in London. Recorded on May 26th and 27th, these dates turned out to be the final recording sessions for Johnny as he passed away back in France just two months later on July 25, 2008.
Seven prime tracks were chosen from the two nights to be included on this CD. With the exception of Roy Hargrove’s “Mentor”, all the other song selections are either classics like “Lester Leaps In”, Irving Berlin’s “How Deep is the Ocean” and Clifford Brown’s “The Blues Walk”, or Griffin’s own compositions such as “The JAMFS are Coming” or “Hot Sake.”   Due to Griffin’s advanced age there are not as many burners here, though Griffin still blows hot at times as evidenced by “Hot Sake.”. We do get to hear the tender side of Johnny on the ballads.
The true star of this CD is Roy Hargrove, who brings his “A Game”, knowing that these dates were something special, though from Griffin’s passionate playing, it couldn’t have been known how soon Johnny would be leaving us.
“Lester Leaps In” is taken at a moderate pace with Hargrove on a tear and Griffin punctuating with fills blown softly. James Pearson is given several choruses and Billy Cobham shows he has lost little from his heyday period in the 70s and 80s. “When We Were Young” is sublime as Hargrove and Griffin wax lyrical for nearly thirteen minutes. David Newton’s piano solo here is magisterial.
“The Blues Walk” is a gas as Griff and Roy play together with the smoothness of well-aged scotch. Each throws in a few witty musical quotes and you can tell they are having fun. “How Deep is the Ocean” gives Griffin a chance to show off his mellow pipes as he sings accompanied by special guest pianist, Paul Kuhn.
Roy cooks on “The JAMFS are Coming” and Griffin can be heard exhorting him on. David Newton comps intuitively behind Johnny as Griffin blows some soulful blues. Our final visit with the Little Giant ends with Hargrove and Johnny in a classic blowing battle on “Hot Sake” and Roy is in high gear, ripping off one hot chorus after another.

Live at Ronnie Scott’s is a must-have for fans of Johnny Griffin both for its historical value as well as a testament to a jazz legend who brought joy to jazz fans for a half century.
TrackList: Lester Leaps In, When We Were One, The Blues Walk, Mentor, How Deep is the Ocean, The JAMFS are Coming, Hot Sake
– Jeff Krow