JOHNNY GRIFFIN & EDDIE ‘LOCKJAW’ DAVIS: FOUR CLASSIC ALBUMS (TOUGH TENORS / LOOKIN’ AT MONK / BLUES UP AND DOWN / GRIFF & LOCK) (2CD) (2 CDS)

AVID Jazz continues with its Four Classic Album series with a re-mastered 2CD release from Johnny Griffin & Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, complete with original artwork, liner notes and personnel details“Tough Tenors”; “Lookin’ At Monk”; “Blues Up And Down” and “Griff & Lock”Two tough tenors, indeed! These two titans of the tenor sax both had wildly prolific careers but somehow found the time to come together as a hard blowing unit from 1960-1962. Discovering they had compatible styles on their chosen tenors the pair decided to form their famous quintet where you will hear, rather than perhaps the expected cutting sessions, their styles perfectly complimenting each other. This was of course greatly helped by the fine band of jazzmen accompanying them, from the delicate piano of Junior Mance to the subtle but forceful rhythm section of Larry Gales on bass and Ben Riley on drums. Check out AMSC1266 for more great Johnny Griffin music and AMSC1079 for more great Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis mus