Frank Griffith with the Andrzej Baranek Trio @ Huddersfield Irish Centre - October 4

Frank Griffith (tenor sax, clarinet); Andrzej Baranek (keyboards); Ben Crosland (bass); Dave 'Rocky' Tyas (drums)

Huddersfield Jazz has been presenting jazz for something like four decades and there's nothing quite like the prospect of an American guest to whet the appetite. A friend and occasional contributor to BSH, Frank Griffith arrived at Huddersfield Irish Centre with a top flight trio in tow - pianist Andrzej Baranek, bassist Ben Crosland and drummer Dave Tyas. 

Frank Griffith boasts a 'been there, done that' cv. Fifteen years working in New York (Ron Carter, Jon Hendricks, Jack McDuff), stints with Toshiko Akiyoshi, Mel Lewis, Buddy Rich (as one does), for many years the American tenor saxophonist has made the UK his home. 

Opening the first of two sets with Baubles, Bangles and Beads, it was clear from the off we were in for an afternoon of old school, 'straight-down-the-middle' tenor saxophone playing.  

As Ben Crosland and Dave 'Rocky' Tyas worked tirelessly in the engine room, pianist Andrzej Baranek would play a blinder all afternoon. Griffith's style was to keep things moving along, picking up his licorice stick for a couple of numbers - Begin the Beguine and the bossa So Nice (Crosland featured) - before reverting to his trusty tenor. Not shy of a quote or two, Griffith's take on Monk's Nutty contained a slew of fleeting quotes, followed by a marvellous take on I'll Never Smile Again, all four musicians were in a groove.

Interval, the raffle, four prizes. Agonisingly close, but not close enough (for a jazz raffle).

Ellington's What Am I Here For? resumed matters, swiftly followed by Bernie's Tune, Griffith playing clarinet on the former, tenor sax on the latter, a nice contrast. Stars Fell on Alabama (in the absence of a vocalist, perhaps some in the audience were tempted to sing the lyrics to themselves) featured an extended piano solo by Andrzej Baranek. Mr B really is the business! 

The Look of Love came as something of a surprise. Not
quite of the GASbook, however, Burt Bacharach's song didn't do any harm. Hoagy Carmichael's Heart and Soul didn't do any harm whatsoever, with or without Frank Loesser's lyrics. If straight ahead tenor saxophone playing is your kind of jazz, keep an eye out for Frank Griffith. If he should turn up in your neighbourhood, go hear him play - you won't be disappointed. Russell            

Set list included: Baubles, Bangles and Beads; So Nice; You Do Something to Me; Nutty; I'll Never Smile Again; What Am I Here For?; Bernie's Tune; Stars Fell on Alabama; The Look of Love; Heart and Soul.