In July 1990, Johnny Griffin, the legendary tenor saxophonist known as The Little Giant, electrified Långvinkeln Jazz Club in Helsingborg, Sweden. Accompanied by Danish musicians Thomas Clausen, Mads Vinding, and Svend-Erik Nørregård, Griffin delivered a joyful night of jazz as only he could do it. This previously unreleased 6-track live recording will be released on Storyville Records on June 5, 2026, as Johnny Griffin & Thomas Clausen's Trio - Live in Helsingborg 1990. Griffin, who rose to prominence in the 1950s through his work with Art Blakey, Thelonious Monk, and his own explosive small groups, was widely regarded as one of the fastest and most inventive tenor saxophonists in jazz. Playing a lot at Jazzhus Montmartre in the 60's, he settled in France but continued to be in high demand in Scandinavia and all over Europe. This release continues Storyville Records' longstanding tradition of documenting major American jazz artists during their European years. Bassist Mads Vinding, a longtime collaborator, recalls the experience: "Johnny Griffin - no one sounded like him. The sound, the ideas, the power, the timing, the energy, the sensitivity, the stamina... He made the whole band sound like one unit. (...) It was very intense and such a joy playing with him, as you can hear on this live recording from 1990. No safety net, no restrictions - just the pure pleasure of playing together, inventing things on the fly." Jazz historian Jan Olsson adds: "Johnny Griffin, or The Little Giant as he was called, was a great and highly individual soloist. And I still remember from this extraordinary evening that we could hardly stop him from playing when it was time to close and say goodbye. The main reason was that he had been playing with one of the finest trios you could find in Europe at that time." The album features expansive performances that stretch familiar standards and Griffin originals into thrilling, unpredictable territory. On Just Friends, Griffin's tenor soars over the trio's accompaniment, moving seamlessly from lyrical passages to blistering runs. Blue Monk finds him exploring Thelonious Monk's iconic blues theme with playful inventiveness and rhythmic drive, while All The Things You Are showcases his ability to reshape familiar melodies with elegance and swing. On the original Call It What You Wanna, you just hear the pure Johnny Griffin sound. Johnny Griffin & Thomas Clausen's Trio - Live in Helsingborg 1990 is a rare opportunity to experience Johnny Griffin at his peak backed by Thomas Clausen's trio. You can hear why Johnny Griffin loved to play in Scandinavia, how he loved to play with Thomas Clausen and why he was such a popular figure in Denmark and Sweden for 40 years.

Limited 180gm vinyl LP pressing. Johnny Griffin - "A Blowing Session (Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition)" [180g LP] Johnny Griffin called upon his fellow master practitioners of the tenor saxophone John Coltrane & Hank Mobley for his second Blue Note album, A Blowing Session, in 1957. The fiery set features trumpeter Lee Morgan balancing out the 3-tenor frontline while a rhythm section with pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Art Blakey stokes the fires. This Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is mono, all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal. Capitol Music Group; Blue Note; Jazz; Catalog.

The legendary tenor saxophonist, Johnny Griffin's electrifying performance in Valencia, Spain in 1992 is set to be immortalized on the upcoming release, Live in Valencia 92 on June 7, 2024 on Storyville Records. Accompanied by an all-star trio with French pianist Herve Sellin, bassist Reggie Johnson and Doug Sides on drums, this recording, consisting of 6 tracks, is a chance to hear Johnny Griffin at his best, enjoying being out there live with an enthusiastic Spanish audience. The recording made in a defunct savings bank auditorium adorned with warm fabrics and wood accents, sounds great with it's cozy ambiance and impeccable acoustics. From the moment Griffin stepped onto the stage, his charisma was palpable, captivating audiences with his inimitable style, sense of humor and swing. Griff at his best! Live in Valencia 92 offers a glimpse into Griffin's artistry, showcasing a mastery of the tenor saxophone across a repertoire of standards by his favorite composers like Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk, but we also get The Cat, one of his own compositions and almost considered a theme Song for Johnny Griffin. Johnny Griffin loved the European way of living and the Europeans loved him back. He settled in France, but spent time in Amsterdam and Copenhagen as well. As Herve Sellin writes about playing jazz "we don't take it too seriously, but we do it very seriously". That was what Johnny Griffin was known for, A little giant making everybody have a good time. And that's exactly what you experience on this recording. Johnny Griffin (1928-2008) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist known for his blistering speed and technical prowess. A prolific performer and recording artist, Griffin's career spanned over six decades, during which he collaborated with some of the most prominent figures in jazz, including Art Blakey, Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane. This recording serves as a poignant reminder of Griffin's enduring impact on the jazz world. For jazz enthusiasts, Live in Valencia 92, is a must have addition to any collection, offering a glimpse into the brilliance of one of jazz music's true icons.

Founded in 1977 by Lionel Hampton, the Who's Who in Jazz label existed as a means to present to the world the best musicians that the jazz world had to offer. With Lionel chairing the recording sessions (and also featuring on several of the sessions himself), these recordings have truly earned their title featuring jazz greats such as Buddy Rich, Charles Mingus, Terumasa Hino, Sonny Stitt, Teddy Wilson, Stephane Grappelli and Dave Brubeck, amidst the many others. Recorded at Studio In The Grove, Davie, FL, May 4th and 5th, 1988, 'Take My Hand' sees Griffin invite Dennis Irwin (bass), Kenny Washington (drums) and Michael Weiss (piano) to showcase an array of wonderful jazz compositions including 'Take My Hand', 'All Through the Night' and 'Out of this World'.

Founded in 1977 by Lionel Hampton, the Who's Who in Jazz label existed as a means to present to the world the best musicians that the jazz world had to offer. With Lionel chairing the recording sessions (and also featuring on several of the sessions himself), these recordings have truly earned their title featuring jazz greats such as Buddy Rich, Charles Mingus, Terumasa Hino, Sonny Stitt, Teddy Wilson, Stephane Grappelli and Dave Brubeck, amidst the many others. Recorded at Studio In The Grove, Davie, FL, May 4th and 5th, 1988, 'Take My Hand' sees Griffin invite Dennis Irwin (bass), Kenny Washington (drums) and Michael Weiss (piano) to showcase an array of wonderful jazz compositions including 'Take My Hand', 'All Through the Night' and 'Out of this World'.

Deluxe Package Includes Interviews with Tenor Star James Carter and Drummer Kenny Washington and Essays by Historian Ted Panken and Pianist Michael Weiss The supercharged tenor saxophone duo of Johnny Griffin and Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis will be heard in full flight on Reel to Real Recordings' previously unreleased live set Ow!, which bows as an exclusive, limited edition Record Store Day LP release Nov. 29. The title - which features stellar, previously unreleased performances captured at the Seattle club the Penthouse in May-June 1962 - will initially be available on 180-gram vinyl mastered by Bernie Grundman, and subsequently be issued on CD Dec. 6. Reel to Real - a partnership between Vancouver-based jazz impresario and saxophonist Cory Weeds and Resonance Records co-president and noted 'Jazz Detective' Zev Feldman - was launched on Record Store Day 2018 with a pair of releases that included Swingin' in Seattle, live sessions by Cannonball Adderley's quintet recorded at the Penthouse in 1966-67. Resonance has previously plumbed the Penthouse's deep archives for it's albums by Wes Montgomery (Smokin' in Seattle) and the Three Sounds featuring Gene Harris (Groovin' Hard). In his notes included in the 28-page booklet that accompanies the package, Weeds recalls, 'Upon hearing the Johnny Griffin-Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis tapes, I got that excited feeling in my stomach again, called Zev, and said, 'We have to put this music out, whatever it takes.' Feldman adds, 'These recordings are a gift that keeps on giving so much elation and positive vibes, which were captured with this music. It will now live on forever thanks to producer/radio legend Jim Wilke; engineer Fred Stimson, who recorded these broadcasts that were transferred from the original analog tapes; and Charlie Puzzo, Jr., son of the Penthouse's proprietor.

Limited 180gm vinyl LP pressing. Tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin blew out of Chicago and made his debut album for Blue Note Records in 1956 steering a nimble quartet with pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Curly Russell, and drummer Max Roach through a fantastic set of originals and standards. From the blistering opener "Mil Dew" to the loping "Chicago Calling" and bluesy "Nice and Easy" Griffin's staggering technical ability and buoyant swing is readily apparent at every twist and turn. Griffin would follow with two more standout Blue Note albums-A Blowing Session featuring John Coltrane and The Congregation-the next year.

Teamed up with pianist Kenny Drew, bassist Niels Pedersen and drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath for a club date at Copenhagen's Montmartre in 1967, the great tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin really stretches out on four numbers: "The Man I Love," "Hush-A-Bye," "Blues for Harvey" and a memorable version of "The Masquerade Is Over." Griffin shows why he was early on billed as "the world's fastest tenor" although he also displays warmth on "Sophisticated Lady." A fine example of Griffin's underrated talents. The album was remastered for vinyl from original analog tapes by Bernie Grundman, and pressed on audiophile-grade vinyl at Pallas Group in Germany.

ONLY COMPLETE RECORDING. Sir Arthur Sullivan wrote his light opera Haddon Hall when he was at the height of his considerable creative powers. Despite his intention to turn away from writing "lighter" works so that he could concentrate on more serious fare, Sullivan's love of the good-life forced his return to the rather more lucrative stage of the Savoy Theatre, and the world of comic opera. Sydney Grundy presented him with a libretto based on an actual historical incident, namely the elopement of Dorothy Vernon, with her lover John Manners, from Haddon Hall, her ancestral home. The opera was completed and presented at the Savoy Theatre on 24th September 1892. The reception to Sullivan's music (though not the libretto!) was ecstatic. Bernard Shaw thought Haddon Hall to be the very best of the Savoy Operas, and for a while the piece beat even the Mikado in box office receipts. We hope that, after hearing this new recording, you will agree that Haddon Hall is an unjustly neglected work of great charm, fully worthy of Britain's most famous composer of the 19th century, Sir Arthur Sullivan.

Gogol' great Russian classic is the Pickwick Papers of Russian Literature. It takes a sharp but humorous look at life in all it's strata, but especially the devious complexities in the country with it's landowners and serfs. We are introduced to Chichikov.

Delmark Records were motivated to record this, their very first "jazz vocals" album after hearing Francine's outstanding singing talents - she has performed w. Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Art Blakey, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis & many others.