My Little Suede Shoes, 1971

Johnny Griffin

One of the great tenors on a Charlie Parker classic

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Johnny Griffin gained fame in the 1950s as jazz’s fastest saxophonist due to the ease in which he played rapid runs at fast tempos.

However Griffin also had a large and personal tone (one that influenced Rahsaan Roland Kirk) and could play laidback on warm ballads too.

Here he is in 1971 performing Charlie Parker’s “My Little Suede Shoes” in France with pianist Rene Urtreger, bassist Alby Cullaz and drummer Art Taylor.

Griffin’s solo is full of passion and intensity that builds throughout his improvisation before each of the musicians has their opportunity to solo; everyone is in fine form.

-Scott Yanow

 

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