Johnny Griffin Tribute

I learned Johnny was playing in Rochester, NY, where I live, at a now-defunct little club called The Calabash. I was so excited! It was 1986 and I was a rabid 22 year old hard bop fan from a very musical family. I HAD to see him live… I bought tickets immediately!

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!