Placed at New York City's Seventh at Avenue South, the Village Vanguard is one of the truly legendary venues in jazz, a name that ranks along the fabled Birdland, Lighthouse, Bohemia, Basin Street, Blackhawk and Blue Note of yesterday and today. Since the Vanguard first opened its doors in 1935, the list of jazz greats who have appeared on its stage at one time or another reads like a who's who in the field: John Cotrane, Sonny Rollins, Gerry Mulligan, Charles Mingus, Bill Evans, Stan Getz...Located right next to the Seventh at Avenue, the Vanguard was a club owned by the legendary Max Gordon, which during its long career has offered jazz in many styles, cabaret acts, performances, and popular and folk music.

This video - the second in a series of two - features two appearances at those celebrated clubs from the Big Apple, the first being a gig from 1981 at the Vanguard showcasing Johnny Griffin and his quartet. The possessor of an unmistakable sound on the tenor saxophone, Griffin was initially influenced by men like Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster or Herschell Evans, and his sound on the instrument belongs to the 'tough tenor' school exemplified by artists such as Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis or Arnett Cobb. Backed by a rock-solid rhythm section, "Griff" sounds as good as ever on this particular session. The second date, recorded at the Seventh at Avenue in 1982, presents the group headed by vibraphonist Mike Mainieri - of Steps Ahead fame - featuring an exceptional rhythm section starring drummer Omar Hakim and bassist Eddie Gomez, a long-time musical associate of the late great Bill Evans. In all, we are talking about two memorable performances from the best jazzmen around...Top-notch New York club jazz!

TRACKS:
[1] Opening & Blues for Gonzi [11:40]
[2] A Monk's Dream [13:34]
[3] 56 & Closing [5:00]
Johnny Griffin (ts); Ronnie Matthews (p); Ray Drummond (b); Kenny Washington (d).
Recorded at the Village Vanguard, New York City, 1981.
All compositions by Johnny Griffin.

[4] Crossed Wires [3:10]
[5] Sarah's Touch [8:27]
[6] Bamboo [12:21]
[7] Bullet Train [4:45]
Bob Mintzer (ts); Mike Mainieri (v); Warren Bernhart (p); Eddie Gomez (b); Omar Hakin (d)
Recorded at Seventh Avenue South, New York City, 1982.
All compositions by Mike Mainieri.

TOTAL TIME: 59:43

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