By Nancy Acton Fathers craving a little nightlife after a day of opening presents, going to brunch, or whatever else takes the family fancy on Sunday, need look no further than the Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts, where US blues organist Jimmy McGriff and alto saxophonist Hank Crawford will be the featured artists in a special Father's Day programme organised by Treble Clef Productions.

Both guest musicians are well-known recording artists in their own right, and have also cut several albums together since they first joined forces in 1986.

When Crawford isn't performing with his own group, the duo also tour together.

Born Bennie Ross Crawford in 1934, the saxophonist first began formal piano studies at age nine and soon began playing for his church choir. In high school he took up the saxophone in order to join the band, and never looked back.

Today, his style has been described as "searing'', and "one of the most distinctive in all of American music -- an intense wail filled with blues-bitten grace notes, sensuously slurred phrases, and shivering, vibrato-rich sustains''.

"My approach to playing is vocal,'' Mr. Crawford has been quoted as saying.

"It is not a technical approach. It's like singing. You can almost hear the words instrumentally.'' James Harrell McGriff was born in 1936 in Philadelphia, where such pioneering jazz organists as Milt Buckner and Wild Bill Davis frequently performed, and where Jimmy Smith laid the groundwork for modern jazz organ.

While he started out learning the bass and saxophone, by the time he finished high school he was also playing drums, vibes and piano.

Much later, after the ex-Korean war MP and Philadelphia policeman was "discovered'' by a record company talent scout and his hit single "I've got a Woman'' rose on the charts, along with several others which followed, Mr.

McGriff carved out his own musical niche, described as "somewhere between the jazz of Jimmy Smith and the R&B of Booker T and the MGs.

Today, the organist is in constant motion, touring the world either with his own combo, or teaming up with Mr. Crawford.

Described as"a true giant of the Hammond organ, and one of the blueiest players ever to be called a jazz musician'', he is sure to strike a chord with local jazz lovers.

The programme, which gets under way at 9 p.m., will include Bermuda's own Spice, and be emceed by "Mr. Personality,'' Derek (Cousin Juicy) Symonds.

Ticket prices are: Balcony: $65 including full pre-concert cocktail reception from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., orchestra: $55 including complimentary bar from 8 p.m.

to 9 p.m. For further information contact Treble Clef Productions at 234-0911 or or e-mail tcp y ibl.bm.

DOIN' IT FOR DAD