Johnny Griffin
- 80 years old
- Born Apr 24, 1928
- Died Jul 25, 2008
- Chicago, Illinois, United States
About
Man Full of Soul
Jazz saxophonist Johnny Griffin, who played with stars such as Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane, has died aged 80 at his home in western France.
Griffin was found dead on Friday by his wife Miriam, just hours before he was due to give a concert, his agent said.
Once billed as "the world's fastest saxophonist", he had played regular concerts across Europe until his death.
He performed in the Riviera town of Hyeres on the Monday before his death, agent Helene Mandfredi said.
Born in Chicago in 1928, Griffin attended the same school as Nat King Cole and Dinah Washington.
After graduating, he toured with Lionel Hampton's big band before spending two years in the US army.
He built up his reputation with shows in Chicago and New York, and played with Monk and drummer Art Blakey in the late 1950s. His album with Coltrane and Blakey - A Blowing Session - remains one of his best-known works.
He moved to France in 1962 and lived in the Netherlands for a spell in the 1970s before returning to France and settling in the town of Mauprevoir, where he died, his agent said.
Griffin played shows at Ronnie Scott's jazz club in London in May to mark his 80th birthday.Sponsorship
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Seeing the King!
Paul Remington Apr 23, 2009
I had my brother help me duct tape microphone wiring to my back. I cut holes in my shirt lapels to hide the mike on either side of my collar, then hid the recorder in my coat pocket. It worked great! I captured in stereo the sounds of the club and the beautiful tones of Johnny warming up backstage. You can tell he was a class act just listening to him noodling in the back. Then he came out. I recall Kenny Washington was on drums, looking all of about 20 years old at the time. And WOW did he blow! During one fast-paced jam where he tore up the place with a wicked solo, I got so excited I yelled out, "GO!" I obviously forgot I was recording... It's the one blemish on the entire recording. But his gig is preserved in stereo for posterity. Maybe someday it can be released for everyone's enjoyment.
Boy, will he be missed. Johnny was one of my favorite sax players, along with Bird, Trane, and Cannonball. A true master! But his music lives on forever in our ears and hearts.
Thank you for that, Johnny!
My Memory JOHNNY GRIFFIN
DAN CELLI Dec 06, 2008
FAN. THAT NIGHT WE BOTH GOT OUR MONEY'S WORTH AT THE JAZZ WORKSHOP
IN SAN FRANCISCO IN THE 1960'S. 40 MILES FROM S.F. I BROUGHT MY BOOMBOX
AND RECORDED JOHNNY AND HIS GROUP WITH RONNIE MATHEWS ON PIANO
IN 1979. IN 1957 AT SHERMAN CLAY,I PLAYED HIS FIRST ALBUM IN THE RECORD
BOOTH. I TOLD MY COUSIN ABOUT MY DISCOVERY AND WE'VE BEEN WIGGIN'
OUT EVER SINCE!!!
I HAVE HIS GREAT VIDEO. ALSO JAZZ AT NEWPORT 79' 3 TENOR'S,JACQUET,
DAVIS AND JOHNNY. SO LONG,J.G. DAN CELLI X-D.J.
Reminiscing About Johnny Griffin
Michael Weiss Aug 02, 2008
Goodbye My Dear Friend
Patricia Mills-Carson Aug 02, 2008
Johnny your music and memories are with me always.
Patricia Mills-Carson
Los Angeles