ENDEIT
Johnny Griffin
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Saxophonists · 1928–2008

Johnny Griffin

American musician (1928–2008)

Born
23 April 1928
Chicago
Died
25 July 2008
Availles-Limouzine
Country
United States
Record labels
Blue Note, Antilles
Discography
45 albums

Biography

Johnny Griffin was a jazz musician who played saxophone and tenor saxophone. Johnny Griffin was born on 23 April 1928 in Chicago and died on 25 July 2008 in Availles-Limouzine. The music is usually filed under jazz and post-bop. Record labels: Blue Note and Antilles. The discography here lists 45 albums, from “Introducing Johnny Griffin” (1956) to “Live in Valencia 92” (2024).

John Arnold Griffin III (April 24, 1928 – July 25, 2008) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. Nicknamed "the Little Giant" for his short stature and forceful playing, Griffin began his career in the mid-1940s and continued until the month of his death. A pioneering figure in hard bop, Griffin recorded prolifically as a bandleader in addition to stints with the pianist Thelonious Monk and the drummer Art Blakey, in partnership with his fellow tenor Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, and as a member of the Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland Big Band after he moved to Europe in the 1960s. In 1995, Griffin was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee College of Music.

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Discography

Studio and live albums

Introducing Johnny Griffin 1956
A Blowin' Session 1957
Johnny Griffin Sextet 1958
The Congregation 1958
The Little Giant 1959
Change Of Pace 1961
The First Set/Recorded Live At Mintons 1961
Thelonious in Action 1961 · Live
The Kerry Dancers 1962
Soul Groove 1963
Lady Heavy Bottom’s Waltz 1968
You Leave Me Breathless 1972
Jazz a confronto 10 1974
Jazz Undulation 1977
Return of the Griffin 1979
Tough Tenors Back Again! 1984 · Live
Master of Sax 1988
Take My Hand 1988
The Man I Love 1988 · Live
Continent bleu 1989
Passion, No Future, but Love 1989
The Cat 1991
Unpretentious Delights 1992 · Live
Chicago, New York, Paris 1995
Way Out! 1995
White Gardenia, Johnny Griffin With Strings and Brass: A Tribute to Billie Holiday 1995
Juhnny Griffin And The Great Danes 1996
Griff'n'Bags 1997
Studio Jazz Party 1997
In Copenhagen 1998 · Live
Change of Pace 1999
Live in Tokyo 1999 · Live
Catharsis! 2000 · Live
Close Your Eyes 2000
Grab This! 2000
Johnny Griffin & Steve Grossman Quintet 2001
Take the D Train 2001
Music From the Motion Picture: Between a Smile and a Tear (A Tribute to Jazzclub Montmartre in Copenhagen) 2004
Do Nothing 'Til You Hear From Me 2006
In Copenhagen 2007 · Live
Live at Ronnie Scott's 2008 · Live
Complete Live at the Five Spot 1958 2009 · Live
Polish Radio Jazz Archives 11: Johnny Griffin 2014 · Live
Deep River 2021
Live in Valencia 92 2024 · Live

Also plays on

Albums where Johnny Griffin is credited as a sideman

1975 The Giant — Dizzy Gillespie tenor saxophone

Listen on Spotify

Frequently asked questions

What instrument did Johnny Griffin play?

Johnny Griffin is known for playing saxophone and tenor saxophone.

When and where was Johnny Griffin born?

Johnny Griffin was born 23 April 1928 in Chicago.

What are Johnny Griffin's best-known albums?

Albums in our database include Introducing Johnny Griffin (1956), A Blowin' Session (1957), Johnny Griffin Sextet (1958), The Congregation (1958) and The Little Giant (1959).

External links

Data compiled from open sources; see the source links below. Spotted an error? Let us know.