The Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis/Johnny Griffin Quintet: "Battle Stations"

This was one of the finest tenor saxophone tag-team bands in Jazz. The two contrasting tenor saxophone masters stayed together for almost three years (1960-63) before Lockjaw Davis rejoined Count Basie's band and Johnny Griffin headed for greener pastures in Europe. Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis and Johnny Griffin recorded many albums for both Prestige records of which Davis was under contract and Riverside (Jazzland) who Griffin was contracted to. The rhythm sections changed over the years but on this their first date together as a band, the pianist was Norman Simmons who was also a fine composer/arranger. The bassist was Victor Sproles. Both Simmons and Sproles were like Griffin from Chicago. The drummer was the up and coming Ben Riley who went on to play with Thelonious Monk for many years. This album sets the tone for the way this band operated.....lots of great hard blowing and mucho excitement and lots of wonderful exchanges between the two tenormen. In this band, Davis was always the first soloist. "Battle Stations" is the name of the date and although these men were not at war there was always a scent of a battle. Enjoy!