What makes A Blowin' Session by Johnny Griffin notable?

This album is notable for its critical acclaim, particularly for showcasing Griffin's virtuosity and innovative style within the post-bop genre. It has been praised by prominent jazz critics and remains a significant influence in the genre, often highlighted in discussions about essential jazz recordings from the late 1950s. Released in 1957, A Blowin' Session was Johnny Griffin's first major album after signing with the legendary Blue Note Records. By this time, Griffin had already established himself on the Chicago jazz scene and was gaining recognition as one of the foremost tenor saxophonists. This album marked a significant milestone in his career as he transitioned into a prominent figure in the New York jazz world.

How many songs are on A Blowin' Session?

A Blowin' Session has 4 tracks, running approximately 38 minutes.

Released 69 years ago this October

A Blowin' Session

Johnny Griffin · 1957

38 min · 4 tracks · jazz

A vibrant post-bop exploration filled with intricate melodies and rhythmic complexity, blending improvisation with classic jazz standards.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
The Way You Look Tonight — This track features an extended saxophone solo that showcases Griffin's lyrical expressiveness and technical prowess, making it a hallmark of his style.
→
Ball Bearing — With its complex harmonies and energetic rhythm, this composition highlights Griffin's ability to blend intricate improvisation with tight ensemble playing.
→
All the Things You Are — Griffin’s interpretation of this standard reveals his deep understanding of melody and harmony, transforming it into a profound listening experience.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

Griffin's virtuosic playing and the blend of standards with originals create a compelling post-bop experience.

What we noticed

Each track is built around a core theme, allowing for extended solos that explore variations on the melody.
The rhythm section maintains a dynamic interplay, shifting tempos and accents to enhance the overall complexity of the pieces.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 The Way You Look Tonight 9:40
2 Ball Bearing 8:10
3 All the Things You Are 10:14
4 Smoke Stack 10:13

What to play next

Listen next

Introducing Johnny Griffin

1957

Go back to

NYC Underground

Full Johnny Griffin discography Artists like Johnny Griffin

post-bop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata