Saxophonist Johnny Griffin, 80, Dies

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by Star-Ledger Continuous News Desk
Friday July 25, 2008, 10:10 PM

Johnny Griffin, the tenor saxophonist known as the "Little Giant," whose big, rich sound and lightning speed made for a distinct musical signature during an era when bebop was king, has died. He was 80.

Griffin died today at his home in France, his agent, Helene Manfredi, told Bloomberg News. The cause was not reported.

Although he was often called the "world's fastest saxophonist," Griffin -- who jammed with greats including Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane and Art Blakey -- did not see speed as the key element of his playing.

"Everybody called me a racehorse, but feeling good is my thing," Griffin said in a 1995 Los Angeles Times article. "Art Blakey used to say to me, 'You fire that (saxophone) like it's a machine gun.' I'd say, 'Yeah, man, but those are pellets of love.'"