Requisites

Blues For Harvey ~ Johnny Griffin | By Eddie Carter

It’s been a while since I listened to one of my favorite tenor saxophonists, Johnny Griffin, so I chose an album that became the inspiration for this morning’s discussion. Blues For Harvey (SteepleChase Records SCS-1004) is an excellent 1973 live date, and Johnny’s working with a stellar supporting cast: Kenny Drew on piano, Mads Vinding on bass, and Ed Thigpen on drums. My copy is the 1976 U.S. Stereo reissue (Inner City IC 2004). Johnny began his career in the forties playing the alto sax. He changed to tenor after joining Lionel Hampton’s Orchestra, and he’s played with Art Blakey, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, Kenny Clarke-Francy Boland Big Band and Thelonious Monk, to name a few.

The quartet begins the set with a trip to That Party Upstairs, the first of four by Johnny Griffin. The ensemble’s melody begins at an easy swing before stepping aside for Johnny’s lengthy opening statement. Kenny takes an interesting turn next; then Mads finishes with a carefree stroll ahead of the foursome’s theme restatement and close. Alone Again is a pretty ballad that Kenny introduces gently segueing into Johnny’s delicately tasteful theme and opening chorus. The pianist follows with an elegantly stylish interpretation; then, Mads makes a few intimate remarks preceding Griff’s return for a touching theme reprise and finale.

Side Two starts with Soft and Furry. Griff and Mads open with a dialogue over Ed’s soft supplement into the quartet’s haunting theme. Johnny opens the solos with an exceptionally rich tone. Kenny takes an exquisite performance next, and then Mads gives a tender interpretation before the tenor and bass reappear to lead the foursome to a beautiful climax. Blues For Harvey is dedicated to the Montmartre bartender, Harvey Sand. Griff sets the tone in the introduction and the quartet’s melody. Johnny takes the lead in an incredibly fleet interpretation. Kenny adds a bit of fire and drive in the second reading, and Ed has a vigorous exchange with the leader, leading to the ensemble’s brisk conclusion.

Rhythm-A-Ning by Thelonious Monk starts with the foursome’s quirky theme before Johnny takes flight with a speedy interpretation that seamlessly switches to The Theme before the song ends with Griff’s introduction of the quartet. Johnny Griffin and Nils Winther produced Blues For Harvey, and Nils also did double duty behind the dials of the recording. The album’s sound quality is good for a seventies live date, placing the listener in the Montmartre audience, and the quartet’s performance is enjoyable throughout. If you’re a fan of Griff’s playing or in the mood for hard bop, I offer for your consideration, Blues For Harvey by Johnny Griffin. It’s a little-known release in his extensive discography deserving of greater recognition and worthy of checking out for a spot in your library!

© 2024 by Edward Thomas Carter

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Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Frank Meester was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands on April 14, 1970 and studied philosophy and general literature at the University of Amsterdam and Erasmus University in Rotterdam, Netherlands. From 2010 to 2016 he was assistant lecturer in Philosophy and Professional Practice at The Hague University of Applied Sciences .

He went on to become the youngest of the writing duo Gebroeders Meester and wrote columns in Filosofie Magazine and de Volkskrant, among others. With Stine Jensen, they also wrote two books together about parenting and toured the country in 2018 and 2019 with the theater performance Het opvoedcircus.

Meester also plays in the Hot Club de Frank, founded in 1990 when he was just 20 years old. Two years later they expanded to a quartet and played in local cafes. In 1994 personnel changes took a turn at vocal swing and became a permanent salon band at the Amstel Hotel and the Amerstadam Bamboo Bar. They dropped their debut cd in 1996, De Heren van het Circus, to critical acclaim, and expanded once again to a quintet. Their sophomore release in 1999 hit success again being broadcast across the radio waves.

Another personnel transition has the band currently consisting of Meester, solo guitarist Harold Berghuis, violinist Jelle van Tongeren and saxophonist Wim Lammen. The band creates a new sound within gypsy jazz with different rhythms, other instruments and special arrangements. They have played festivals and European tours.

Double bassist Frank Meester, who has been published thirteen times, continues to perform with his sons Midas and Gilles in The Maestros.

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Daily dose Of Jazz…

David Kane was born in Glasgow, Scotland on April 13, 1955 and moved to the United States with his family in 1965. He began playing piano and composing music at the age of eight and went on to attend North Texas State University in 1972. Moving to Washington, D.C. in 1975, he studied with Doctor Asher Zlotnik for five years. In addition, he studied with Ludmila Ulehla, Alan Mandel, and Clare Fischer.

He has performed with Woody Shaw, David Liebman, Marlene VerPlanck, Charlie Byrd, Jim Snidero, Mark Murphy, Eddie Daniels, Dizzy Gillespie, Pam Bricker, Maxine Sullivan, Tom Keenlyside, and Michelle Hendricks. In addition, he has led his jazz quartet featuring drummer Michael S. Smith, saxophonist Glenn Cashman, and bassist Drew Gress.

Kane has accompanied many classical artists including the Twentieth Century Consort, the National Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Charlotte Church, Joshua Bell, Renée Fleming, Denyce Graves, and James Galway.

Having composed a variety of chamber works, David is also a prolific composer for film and television for over 30 years with over 250 credits to his name. Most notably, he composed music for the National Geographic Channel, the Smithsonian Channel and for Public Radio International.

From 2006 to 2015, he put on his music critic cap and wrote for Cadence Magazine. In 2021 Jamey Aebersold Jazz published his treatise on improvisation, Playing Outside the Chord. Pianist, composer, arranger, author and music critic David Kane continues to expand his endeavors in music.

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Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Dave Mosick was born on April 12, 1967 and raised on Long Island, New York. He got into rock music very young, and went on to play in bands all through high school and college. While attending American University he was deeply inspired by a jazz history class taught by the great jazz historian Rusty Hassan, and was bitten by the bug.

Eventually Mosick settled into the Washington D.C. jazz scene where he studied with guitarists Paul Bollenback and Paul Wingo. He also studied ear training with Asher Zlotnik.

2002 saw Dave releasing his debut album Amalgamation to widespread critical acclaim. The next year he was the featured jazz guitar clinician at The Washington Jazz Academy. His unique concepts in Jazz Improvisation have been published in Just Jazz Guitar Magazine.

Guitarist Dave Mosick maintains a busy performance schedule as both a leader and sideman, as well as being an in demand jazz educator, regularly hosting clinics and giving private lessons.

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The Jazz Voyager

Hitting those friendly skies on British Airways back to the States is a fifteen hour fly time from Warsaw to Philly with a four hour layover at Heathrow, but it was fun seeing a new city, new venue and hearing Mr. Herring again up close and personal in a club setting. An old stomping ground, South Jazz Kitchen, is the destination that serves up elevated comfort food that combines America’s original music with Southern heritage cuisine.

Praised for its authentic, soulful, and orchestral sound, The String Queens (TSQ) is a dynamic group with violinist Kendall Isadore, Dawn Johnson on Viola, and cellist Élise Sharp. They create stimulating musical experiences that inspire diverse audiences to love, hope, feel, and imagine. This Jazz Voyager is anticipating the experience of a versatile repertoire and musical journey through time spanning from the Baroque era to the Jazz Age to today’s Billboard Hot 100 Chart.

Nestled in the Spring Garden neighborhood of the city, the venue is located at the intersection of Broad and Mt. Vernon, at 600 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130. For more info https://notoriousjazz.com/event/the-string-queens.

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