Search - Jazz Life, Vol. 1: Johnnie Griffin & Richie Cole on DVD

Jazz Life vol 1 -Johnny Griffin and Richie Cole

tom heiman | san diego | 03/17/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"16075 · Jazz Life Vol. 1
Johnny Griffin Quartet & Richie Cole Group
Modern tenor jazz of very high quality. Johnny Griffin, best known for his co-operation with Thelonious Monk, is here given free hand and he plays up to his very best. Brilliant performances by Ronnie Matthews on piano, Ray Drummond on bass and Kenny Washington on drums very much making these recordings classy. Alto saxophonist Richie Cole is a true bebop'er; Great swinging, clearly inspired by Parker, both powerful and explosive. Very good playing with variations. Recorded at the legendary jazz club Village Vanguard in 1981."

Great for hard bop fans

jazzster_100 | 11/01/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These are two separate performances with a group led by Griffin on tenor (with Ronnie Matthews p, Ray Drummond b, Kenny Washington dr) and a group led by Richie Cole on alto (with Bruce Forman g, Bobby Enriquez p, Marshall Hawkins b, Scott Martin dr.

Some of tunes are not heard in their entirety. Highlights include Griffin's extremely tight rhythm section, Ray Drummond has his trademark precision playing with his fat sound. A young Kenny Washington swings throughout, and Ronnie Matthews playing is great, he is given a chance to stretch out and does some solo interludes.

Johnny is all over his horn, burning as he typically does. His tune '56& Closing' is taken at an incredibly fast tempo. He displays his penchant for quoting tunes...seven come eleven, a number of nursery rhymes etc. The other tunes are 'Opening and Blues for Gonzi', and 'A Monk's Dream'.

I found the Cole set a little less enjoyable. The tunes are 'Opening and Hi-Fly', 'I Can't Get Started, 'Punishment Blues', 'Yard Bird Suite', 'Red Top'. Unless you are a Bobby Enriquez fan...be forwarned, I found his playing nothing short of annoying. The novelty of his approach wears off quickly. Also Richie just hams it up with Punishment Blues. On a positive note, the underrated West coast guitarist Bruce Forman contributes nicely with his melodic solos, and certainly Richie plays some great lines.

All in all, well worth the 10-12 bucks or so just for the Johnny Griffin performance."