Johnny Griffin The Congregation

Personnel: Johnny Griffin (tenor saxophone); Sonny Clark (piano); Paul Chambers (bass); Kenny Dennis (drums).
Producer: Alfred Lion.
Reissue producer: Michael Cuscuna.
Recorded at the Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack, New Jersey on October 23, 1957. Originally issued on Blue Note (1580). Includes liner notes by Robert Levin.
This is part of Blue Note's Limited Edition Connoisseur series.
The Rudy Van Gelder-helmed reissue of 1957's THE CONGREGATION improves on what is already a classic Johnny Griffin date. Backed by Paul Chambers on bass, Kenny Dennis on drums, and Sonny Clark on piano, Griffin demonstrates his usual dazzling dexterity on the tenor sax. The mode is straightforward bop, with a balance of uptempo numbers and ballads, and plenty of stretching out all around. This set comes highly recommended--especially given the improved sound of the reissue--to fans of the style.

• Genre: Blues
• Format: Vinyl