Johnny Griffin: Little Giant, The (20bit) on CD

One of the most formidable improvisers of the post-bebop 1950s, Johnny Griffin attracted more than his share of nicknames: "Little Giant" referred jointly to his large musical stature and small size; the widely-used "Fastest Gun in the West" placed (in the tenor player's own opinion) undue emphasis on his ability to perform at blistering tempos. This LP was the first of several attempts to change Griffin's image through more carefully structured albums--in this case Norman Simmons arrangements played by a strong sextet featuring Blue Mitchell and Wynton Kelly.

With Blue Mitchell, Julian Priester, Wynton Kelly, Sam Jones, Albert "Tootie" Heath.(concordmusicgroup. com)