Lockjaw Davis

[ZenBen]

I heard some of his playing the other day and it really nocked me out. Can anyone suggest some good recordings of his to check out? It does not matter if he is leader or sideman, with Basie or Johnny Griffin, I just need to hear more. Thanks.

[Jake in SF]

For an out-there, wild kind of sound by Lockjaw, check out "Untitled Blues" from his "Straight Blues" album. I can't check/vouch for Amazon's sound clip, but here's a link to the album's page: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00000C2OW/qid=1052255080/sr=1-11/ref=sr_1_11/002-0098777-2176879?v=glance&s=music
It's a real cry-into-a-dark-night kind of blues.

[ZenBen]

Well, I just bought 2 cds of the Lockjaw Davis/ Johnny Griffin quintet: 'Lookin' at Monk' and 'Battle Stations.' I can't get enough of these cd's. I highly recommend them to anyone who likes hard charging post-bop!!!

[Txsaxkat]

See if you can find" Tough Tenors". It may be titled under Griffin, it was out of print for some time but great recording!

[doug]

I recently picked up a DVD of Jaws live in Denmark in 1985. Decent film quality and great sound. He's one of a kind. With regards to CDs/LPs, any of the Cookbook series he did w/ Shirley Scott are take no prisoners, shoot 'em up sides.

[RobG]

I'm a big Lockjaw fan too. Had the pleasure of meeting him once when he was with Basie, he was a gentleman a a witty conversationalist. I was just starting to learn to play sax at that point, so I didn't ask him any of the questions I'd like to now, darn it. Does anyone know what sort of setup he used? I can see it's a Link and some kind of Selmer. It must have been a way open mpc judging from his sound.

[RalphF]

Lockjaw used a #10 Link with a #4 Rico reed - the interview where I found this info didn't specify if the reeds were Royals or standards. He started off playing Beuschers, Martins and Conns, but endede up on a Selmer Mk 6. He tried the MK7 when it came out but didn't like it - said the sound got "lost in the neck" - so he went back to the MK6.
He was a true original. He had his own very personal sound and way of getting through the changes. My favorite album is one he did with Paul Gonsalves - titled "Love Calls". A real treat hearing these two masters playing together.

[RobG]

Thanks for the info Ralph. Must take some kinda chops to play a setup like that! I'll look for the CD, I dig Gonsalves too.