Johnny Griffin : Best Of Johnny Griff

  Ahmed Abdul-Malik - Bass
  Albert 'Tootie' Heath - Drums
  Ben Riley - Drums
  Blue Mitchell - Trumpet
  Bob Bryant/Marshall Dodge - Trumpet
  Bob Cranshaw - Bass
  Charlie Davis - Sax (Baritone)
  Charlie Persip - Drums
  Clark Terry - Trumpet
  Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis - Sax (Tenor)
  Edwin Williams - Sax (Tenor)
  Harold Mabern - Piano
  Jimmy Cobb - Drums
  Johnny Griffin - Sax (Tenor)
  Julian Priester - Trombone
  Junior Mance - Piano
  Keith Copeland - Drums
  Kenny Drew - Piano
  Larry 'Lonnie' Gales - Bass
  Matthew Gee - Trombone
  Pat Patrick - Sax (Alto)
  Paul Chambers - Bass
  Philly Joe Jones - Drums
  Ray Drummond - Bass
  Ronnie Mathews - Piano
  Roy Haynes - Drums
  Sam 'Stovepipe No. 1' Jones - Bass
  Thelonious Monk - Piano
  Wes Montgomery - Guitar
  Wilbur Ware - Bass
  Wynton Kelly - Piano

Nick Phillips compiled this chronologically arranged nine-track overview of the career of 'The Little Giant,' Johnny Griffin, as a leader and as a sideman for the Riverside, Jazzland, Prestige, and Galaxy catalogs. The recording dates mainly range from 1958-1962, though the final track, a lovely version of 'Autumn Leaves,' comes from a 1978 session. There is only one original on the set, the wonderful '63rd Street Theme' from the album The Little Giant, in 1959. Other albums represented here are Way Out!, The Little Giant, Johnny Griffin Sextet, Tough Tenors, and The Tenor Scene with Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis, Thelonious Monk's Thelonious in Action, the great Big Soul Band session from 1960, Wes Montgomery's Full House, and Return of the Griffin from 1978. The highlights of the set include the big band's version of 'Wade in the Water,' the blazing version of 'Cherokee,' and the reading of Lester Young's 'Tickle Toe.' Other highlights -- though non-musical ones -- are the insightful and engaging -- as well as authoritative -- liner notes by author and critic Ashley Khan. ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide