Michael Griffin Plays the Cole Porter Songbook:
Even though he is a giant of Twentieth-Century American popular music, Cole Porter’s magical songs appear as reinterpretations by jazz musicians less often than those of George Gershwin’s.
Or, is this just a misapprehension on my part? It certainly seems that given his storied career and the acclaim that he received during his lifetime we should be hearing his music more often.
That is the goal of alto saxophonist Michael Griffin’s new small group project which makes its debut at Foundry616 on Saturday, October 10th.
The band, sporting a number of the brightest talents of mainstream modern jazz’s Generation Next (guitarist Leo Larrat and bassist Matt Lamb are in brilliant form), is taking on [parts of] The Cole Porter Songbook, and performing songs such as Night & Day, I’ve Got You Under My Skin, Love For Sale, I Love Paris and many more.
“One of Australia’s finest saxophonists”- Nik Fotakis (Australian Jazz)
“What he has achieved ensures an extremely bright future.” – Jimmy Heath (USA)
“He Flaunts an assertive tone, with an advanced harmonic sensibility and technical fluency that confirm his reverence to Bird and Cannonball Adderley”- Bob Doerschuk (Downbeat Magazine)
Michael Griffin- Alto Saxophone
Aaron Blakey- Piano
Leo Larratt- Guitar
Matt Lamb- Bass
George Greenhill- Drums
