Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis and Johnny Griffin: The Tenor Scene

This date from the early ’60s offers interesting examples of tenor saxophone directions at that time. Lockjaw was aware of what was contemporary, and also obviously of what went before Ben Webster’s nickname for him was “Little Ben.” Griffin offers a bop contrast to Lockjaw’s blend and is much too busy, almost comical, but this perhaps was by design to titillate the customers deliberately with a disturbing difference.

Originally Published April 1, 1998