Known for his fiery and hard-swinging tenor saxophone style, American jazz musician Johnny Griffin (1928–2008) was a prominent figure in the hard bop era. He gained renown for his blistering solos and energetic performances, leading his own groups and collaborating with influential artists like Thelonious Monk and Art Blakey. Griffin spent much of his later career in Europe, continuing to record and tour as a respected elder statesman of jazz.