When We Were One – Johnny Griffin
This gorgeous minor-key post-bop ballad is one of Johnny Griffin's most recorded compositions.
- Recording: Johnny Griffin - Tough Tenors Again 'N' Again
- Recorded on: April 24, 1970
- Label: Saba (SB 15283)
- Concert Key: C minor
- Style: Ballad
- Tenor Sax - Johnny Griffin
- Piano - Francy Boland
- Bass - Jimmy Woode
- Drums - Kenny Clarke
Video
- Live in France, August 29, 1971, Johnny Griffin with Vince Benedetti (piano), Alby Cullaz (bass), and Art Taylor (drums)
This song is a good example of how a ballad tempo can completely change the meaning of melodic material. The main melodic theme begins with three notes ascending in fourths, which at a medium or fast tempo would sound bold and angular. The slow tempo, however, gives this theme a tender quality that would otherwise be overlooked.
The first A section is harmonized differently from the second A and C sections, with an extended turnaround to E♭, the relative major. The second halves of A2 and C contain a descending series of resolutions to A♭, G♭, and E major before settling on C minor; this is mirrored in the bridge by ascending resolutions to E♭, E, F and G.
On this recording, the rhythm section plays with a 2-feel throughout, without the hits that appear on some later recordings (see Historical Notes). The intro and coda, which are essentially the same, are played by the rhythm section only.
Our Solo Piano Arrangement is by Griffin himself. The accompanying figures starting in the fifth measures of the A and C sections are used as rhythm section hits in later recordings.
The first A section is harmonized differently from the second A and C sections, with an extended turnaround to E♭, the relative major. The second halves of A2 and C contain a descending series of resolutions to A♭, G♭, and E major before settling on C minor; this is mirrored in the bridge by ascending resolutions to E♭, E, F and G.
On this recording, the rhythm section plays with a 2-feel throughout, without the hits that appear on some later recordings (see Historical Notes). The intro and coda, which are essentially the same, are played by the rhythm section only.
Our Solo Piano Arrangement is by Griffin himself. The accompanying figures starting in the fifth measures of the A and C sections are used as rhythm section hits in later recordings.
Perhaps the most recorded of Griffin's songs, When We Were One was next recorded by Francy Boland, the pianist who played on the original version, on his "Piano And Strings" album.
The album featured here,"Tough Tenors Again 'N' Again," was recorded in Cologne, Germany; this song has been particularly popular among European jazz musicians. Griffin and Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis recorded one more quintet album after this, a live set in Copenhagen in 1984 released on the Storyville label as "Tough Tenors Back Again."
On YouTube, there are videos of three Griffin performances of this song. The first is an Italian TV appearance from 1970 with Kenny Drew alongside Jimmy Woode and Kenny Clarke. Another from 1971 is live in France with Vince Benedetti, Alby Cullaz, and Art Taylor, while the third comes from the 2001 Montreal Jazz Festival with Michael Weiss, John Webber, and Kenny Washington.
The album featured here,"Tough Tenors Again 'N' Again," was recorded in Cologne, Germany; this song has been particularly popular among European jazz musicians. Griffin and Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis recorded one more quintet album after this, a live set in Copenhagen in 1984 released on the Storyville label as "Tough Tenors Back Again."
On YouTube, there are videos of three Griffin performances of this song. The first is an Italian TV appearance from 1970 with Kenny Drew alongside Jimmy Woode and Kenny Clarke. Another from 1971 is live in France with Vince Benedetti, Alby Cullaz, and Art Taylor, while the third comes from the 2001 Montreal Jazz Festival with Michael Weiss, John Webber, and Kenny Washington.
- Recording: Roy Hargrove - With The Tenors Of Our Time
- Recorded on: January 16 & 17, 1994
- Label: Verve (314-523019-2)
- Concert Key: C minor
- Style: Ballad
- Trumpet - Roy Hargrove
- Tenor Sax - Johnny Griffin
- Piano - Cyrus Chestnut
- Bass - Rodney Whitaker
- Drums - Gregory Hutchinson
Video
- 2001 Montreal Jazz Festival: Johnny Griffin (tenor sax), Michael Weiss (piano), John Webber (bass), Kenny Washington (drums)
This quintet version includes the rhythm section hits that are indicated in the lead sheet and Solo Piano Arrangement. Trumpeter Roy Hargrove plays a different pickup to the second A section, with one more note, B natural on beat 3; this is how the melody is written in the Solo Piano Arrangement, but in Griffin's versions the same pickup is used as for the A section.
On this recording, the melody is split between the two horns. Hargrove plays the A and C sections, with Griffin on the bridge. On the second chorus Griffin solos for the two A sections, with Hargrove soloing on the bridge and taking the C melody out. Curiously, the last note of the in head is held out for the first two measures of the next chorus, into Griffin's solo.
Our Solo Piano Arrangement is by Griffin himself. The accompanying figures starting in the fifth measures of the A and C sections are used as rhythm section hits in later recordings.
On this recording, the melody is split between the two horns. Hargrove plays the A and C sections, with Griffin on the bridge. On the second chorus Griffin solos for the two A sections, with Hargrove soloing on the bridge and taking the C melody out. Curiously, the last note of the in head is held out for the first two measures of the next chorus, into Griffin's solo.
Our Solo Piano Arrangement is by Griffin himself. The accompanying figures starting in the fifth measures of the A and C sections are used as rhythm section hits in later recordings.
Griffin recorded this song again with Roy Hargrove in May 2008, live at Ronnie Scott's in London—Griffin's last recording. Since then, When We Were One has also been recorded by alto saxophonist Justin Robinson, drummer Eric Ineke, and vocalist Nadia Basurto.
Click on Soppin' The Biscuit for more information about the "Tenors Of Our Time" album.
Click on Soppin' The Biscuit for more information about the "Tenors Of Our Time" album.
Johnny Griffin
April 24, 1928 – July 25, 2008
A tenor saxophonist of amazing energy and invention, Griffin was influenced by such revered artists as Johnny Hodges, Charlie Parker and Ben Webster. He was first heard prominently in his youth with Lionel Hampton's orchestra from 1945-47, making his first recording with Hamp when he was only 17 years old. In 1947, Griffin joined Joe Morris's rhythm & blues group. Morris (trumpet) had also been a recording member of Hamp's bands since 1943. He left Hamp a little before Johnny did. By 1948 the Morris band had changed personnel to include Elmo Hope (piano), Percy Heath (bass) and Philly Joe Jones (drums) along with Matthew Gee on trombone. Read more...