Johnny Griffin & Steve Grossman Quintet

Johnny Griffin & Steve Grossman Quintet is a co-led, jamming collection of nine songs that projects the legendary hard bop style of tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin and the ability of Steve Grossman to fuse his brand of tenor and soprano saxophone excellence, forming a cohesive, impressive set. While each player has developed a reputation for his "blowing sessions," this self-titled CD retains its complementary nature in much the same manner as those that featured Griffin with Hank Mobley or, more recently, with the highly talented tenor saxophonist Ron Blake on Up Front & Personal. Drummer Alvin Queen opens with commanding hard bop responses to the saxophonists on "Take the D Train," before launching into a great solo that is anything but recycled. The duo swings into "Waltzswing," the bop anthem penned by Griffin, and offers a very entertaining improvisation of Griffin's best-known tune. His ballad "Don't Say Good-Bye (Just Leave)" spotlights Griffin's mellow side, while "Power Station," written by pianist Michael Weiss, offers the two-horn approach a tandem concept with more improvisational variety than expected. The quintet does an excellent cover written by former Jazz Lab Quintet altoist Gigi Gryce titled "Nica's Tempo," with superb solos from both Pierre Michelot and Weiss. The mellow bass voicing by Michelot underscores this team very well and, overall, this hard bop set has its strong moments. Despite the trade-offs being more relaxed than many of Griffin's more powerful blowouts, this quintet still plays a great set!