Paul Griffin
Appearances
Although Rhino's four-disc box set, Q: The Musical Biography of Quincy Jones, was released to coincide with Quincy Jones' autobiography, and that's what gives [more]
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"This anthology of songs reminds me of the strength of one woman and the way that her voice will resonate forever and remind us why we have to say SOMETHING, speak the truth, talk from the heart and let our passion for the Greater Good drive us to be a little bit more like the illustrious Nina Simone: Bold, Brave, Gifted, Black AND Beautiful." —Alicia Keys
Forever Young, Gifted & Black: Songs of Freedom and Spirit is a textbook case for preparing a compilation by a single artist, thematically. [more]
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The protean Quincy Jones returned to the recording studio as a leader after a long stretch in Hollywood with this triumphantly contemporary big band album. He re-established [more]
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King Curtis and his bubbling, stutter-style tenor sax playing brought a touch of jazz and a whole ton of R&B to countless rock & roll tracks in the early '60s, and his funky edge is [more]
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Grover Washington, Jr., has long been one of the leaders in what could be called rhythm & jazz, essentially R&B-influenced jazz. Winelight is one of his finest albums, and not [more]
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There's no question that Nina Simone is richly deserving of a three-CD (plus one DVD), 51-song box set such as To Be Free. From the late '50s until her death, she was one of the great [more]
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![Early Years [Blue]](/cache/JHS/l9/130x130_on-sale_l91250ux30i.png)
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Biography
- Born
- Died Jun 14th 2000 in New York, NY
- Styles
- Gospel
- Instrument(s)
Pianist Paul Griffin's resume is sprinkled with such top talent names as Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, the Isley Brothers, Don McLean, Steely Dan, the Shirelles, and Dionne Warwick. In fact, one of Griffin's hallmarks is Warwick's version of "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head." His gentle fills bolstered the sentiment of the lyric. Originally on the album I'll Never Fall in Love Again, the classic track can be found on the Dionne Warwick CD Sings the Bacharach & David Songbook from Empire. Griffin's piano work can be heard on all of Dionne Warwick's albums with Burt Bacharach and Hal David.
Also adapt on the organ, Griffin learned the play through observation. While attending Paradise Baptist Church in the Harlem section of New York City, he'd sit in the first pew and watch the pianist's hands. When the church's pianist passed away, Griffin was hired to fill the spot. His playing in later years reflected his gospel music influence. Later while being a staff pianist at the Apollo Theater, Griffin met saxophonist King Curtis. The two men hit it off and Curtis offered him a job playing in his band. This led to Griffin become a recording session musician, heard on a slew of sides by artists of just about kind.
At the age of 62, Paul Griffin died of a heart attack at his New York home on June 26, 2000. ~ Ed Hogan, All Music Guide
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