“Reflections of Brownie”…….the music of legendary trumpet great Clifford Brown as you have never heard it before. This musical labor of love conceived and created by world class drummer Rayford Griffin is an innovative and refreshing take on the compositions of his uncle Clifford.

The CD features trumpet performances by Roy Hargrove, Michael “Patches” Stewart, Nicholas Payton, Michael Hunter and Rick Braun. Additional guest musicians include George Duke, Brian Bromberg, Everette Harp, Philippe Saisse, Baron Brown, Hans Zermuehlen, and William Ardaby.

I've been wanting to do something very special with my uncle Clifford's music for years... So a few years ago I started recording my gigs around L.A., playing his music in a style faithful to the way he originally composed and performed it. When I listened back to the recordings, the performances didn’t capture the spirit I wanted to convey. I also realized that it had been done and over done by some for quite a long time.  I thought, ‘Really…where else can I take this music compared to the original statements he and the greats had laid down?’ In my desire to take the music someplace else, I shifted my thinking, and thought…
‘Had Uncle Clifford lived, how might he revisit his music today'?
“That thought process led me to the concept of modern versions of his tunes – a blending of the old and the new that retains all of the integrity of the compositions and the spirit therein.”


"Clifford Brown’s drumming nephew, Rayford Griffin reflects on and updates his uncle’s legacy attracting a raft of stars and superstars to the date to tip the hat as well for the inspiration Brownie gave them---before he left us almost 60 years ago.  With music that still sounds fresh three generations later, it shows his work was even more luminescent than was previously thought outside the cadre.  A killer date that is powered by passion and love and is flawless throughout.  A jazzbo must." -- Chris Spector