Griff's Groove

I was with two friends at Honest Al's used record store in the U district about 1973. One friend was recommending this album to the other. The second friend declined, so I snatched it up. It's still one of my favorite records, and the Kenny Clarke Francy Boland Big Band is my all-time favorite band.

"Griff's Groove" was my favorite cut on the album. Johnny Griffin's playing is very expubident and the head is a real interesting take on the blues. I like the parallel voicings in the saxes. But I especially like the shout section, where Francy Boland brings back the background riffs in the saxes and trombones and combines them with the trumpets to make 3 part counterpoint. I've used this technique in one or two of my own arrangements. It takes some heavy cyphering to pull it off, but it can be very effective.

A few years ago I decided to do a record copy on the tune. The chart seemed to work quite well. All the parts are here, but I didn't include the score. I'd be real interested in getting more Francy Boland charts if anyone has them available - email me.

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