Johnny Griffin

Johnny Griffin

Although we were poles apart in age, Johnny Griffin and I bridged this difference by many shared sensibilities, namely music, spirituality and politics.

Similarly, we moved in disparate geo-political spheres: Griff, as we knew him, was born in wintry Chicago, while I was born in the sunny Caribbean. Later, Griff would emigrate to Europe before settling, eventually, in France; I, by contrast, migrated from St. Thomas to Michigan to Chicago, then Florida, before settling in New York City. Yet we were conjoined by the music. Our friendship-at times like a father and son, at times like brothers-has left an impression in my spirit.