George Griffin
Jazz Drummer, Blues Drummer & Vocalist Extraordinaire

George was born and raised in New Orleans, which established his musical roots. As a young man he moved to Seattle, where, as Paul de Baros writes in his book, Roots of Jazz in Seattle, he became a pioneer jazz artist and one of the finest drummers of the era. George has performed and recorded with The Jerome Gray Trio, The Joe Brazil Quartet and The Floyd Stanifer Big Band (first to do live jazz in a church). Later he graduated to the Lionel Hampton Big Band and other major bands

While playing in the Joe Brazil Quartet, which was the house band at the famous Charlie Puzo Penthouse (one of the major jazz houses in Seattle during the '60s), they were the opening band for all the great jazz bands that played the Penthouse. Some of the world renown drummers that George opened for were Elvin Jones, Philly Joe Jones, Roy Haynes, Jimmy Cobb, Tony Williams, Chico Hamilton, Louis Hayes, Art Blakey, and Sticks Hooper.

In recognition of his fame as the northwest's greatest drummer, Black & Tan Nightclub owner Alex Palmer painted the George Griffin name in eight foot letters on the side of his club.

George also played with the late Dexter Gordon and Pony Pointdexter for their Seattle gigs.

Georges enthusiasm as a drummer for jazz came from his good friend and mentor Paul Humphrys.