Griffin’s Groove
Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland Orchestra
A shouting blues with Johnny Griffin and Benny Bailey
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During 1961-72, pianist-arranger Francy Boland and veteran drummer Kenny Clarke co-led one of the finest of all big bands.
The orchestra, which featured two drummers (Kenny Clarke and Kenny Clare, was quite an all-star group, consisting of many of the top players from both Europe and the United States.
On this medium-tempo blues, the very impressive lineup is expertly introduced with titles as the band plays its opening ensembles; most of the musicians are household names, at least in jazz households.
The camerawork is inventive and adds to the momentum of the performance, which features expressive solos from tenor-saxophonist Johnny Griffin (who gets two spots) and trumpeter Benny Bailey.
-Scott Yanow
Ella Fitzgerald