A pioneering figure in hard bop, tenor saxophonistJohnny Griffin recorded prolifically as a bandleaderin addition to stints with pianist Thelonious Monk,drummer Art Blakey, in partnership with fellowtenor Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, and as a member ofthe Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland Big Band. Tiredof being underappreciated in the United States,he went to live in Europe in 1963, a few years afterrecording this wonderful sextet LP. There, Griffinbecame the “first choice” sax player for visitingAmerican musicians touring the continent duringthe ‘60s and ‘70s. He died at the age of 80 onJuly 25, 2008 in Mauprévoir, France, near Availles-Limouzine, where he had lived for the previous 24years. Recorded on February 5, 1958, Johnny GriffinSextet was the saxophonist’s debut on RiversideRecords, for whom he would record a secondalbum, Way Out!, the very next day.

JOHNNY GRIFFIN, tenor saxPEPPER ADAMS, baritone saxDONALD BYRD, trumpetKENNY DREW, pianoWILBUR WARE, bassPHILLY JOE JONES, drumsNew York, February 25 (A1-A2 & B1-B2)& February 26-27 (A3-A4 & B3), 1958.Adams & Byrd out on out on A3-A4 & B3.Original sessions produced by Orrin Keepnews.*BONUS TRACKS:From the same sessions. Not on the original LP.Originally issued on Griffin’s LP Way Out! (Riverside RLP 12-274).

• 1. Stix' Trix (Wilbur Campbell) 7:37
• 2. What's S New? (Johnny Burke-Bob Haggart) 7:45
• 3. Woodyn You (Dizzy Gillespie) 6:09
• 4. Johnny G. G. (John Hines) 9:38
• 5. Catharsis (Johnny Griffin) 9:53
• 6. Cherokee (Ray Noble) 6:47