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Frank Griffith - Saxophone

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Born in Eugene, Oregon in 1959, Frank lived in New York City from 1980-1995. Whilst there he worked with Ron Carter, Jon Hendricks and Jack McDuff and played lead alto with the Glenn Miller Orchestra for a nationwide tour in 1984. He has also worked with the orchestras of Toshiko Akiyoshi, Mel Lewis, Buddy Rich and Mel Torme.

Frank received his Masters Degree from Manhattan School of Music, and a BFA from City College of New York, where he also taught from 1985-1995.

His debut CD 'The Suspect' featuring Tom Harrell on HEP is available internationally. His clarinet and arrangements for baritone saxophonist Joe Temperley were featured on Joe's 2001 CD 'Easy To Remember'. Other recordings include 'Who Knows- The Uncovered Ellington' with Brian Priestley,' 'Jimmy Deuchar, The Anglo/American/Scottish Connection' (HEPCD2006) and 'Over Here, Over There' with Joan Viskant.Frank Griffith

I Let a Song Go Out of My HeartCurrently, Frank is a Music Lecturer (since 1997) at BruneI University, and teaches annually at the Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshops. He is a member of the Jazz Services Education Panel and has two compositions published in the Associated Boards "Jazz Works" ensemble series. He is also a consultant for the Associated Boards Jazz Clarinet Syllabus and has composed two pieces for their Jazz Saxophone Syllabus.

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I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart

The Frank Griffith Nonet was originally formed in New York City in 1984. The UK version was created in 1997 for their debut performance at the first annual Kingston Jazz Festival. The group features leading lights of the modern British jazz scene including trumpeters Henry Lowther (J Dankworth and Kenny Wheeler) and Robbie Robson. Trombonist and composer/arranger Adrian Fry (Back to Basie) rounds out the brass section. Saxophonists Frank Griffith (Jack McDuff, Mel Lewis and Mel Torme) and Bob Martin (Buddy Rich) are joined by Mick Foster on baritone sax. Pianist Malcolm Edmonstone, heads a rhythm section that includes Dave Chamberlain on bass and Matt Home on drums. The group also features Australian jazz songstress, Trudy Kerr on selected occasions.

The Nonet has performed throughout Greater London including Pizza on the Park, The 100 Club as well as the Royal Festival Hall Foyer. It makes annual appearances at the Ealing Jazz Festival, the first of which resulted in their debut CD "Frank Griffith Nonet 'Live' Ealing Jazz Festival 2000"on the HEP label. Their most recent CD "The Coventry Suite" features the title piece as well as Trudy Kerr singing 3 songs, including Bobbie Gentry's Ode To Billie Joe. The nonet front line features 3 brass and 3 saxophones, giving the listener a powerful, full sounding ensemble combined with the intimate, improvised capriciousness of a small group.

The Nonet's 2nd CD 'The Coventry Suite' is now available on 33 Records. The title track was commissioned by the City of Coventry for the 2002 Coventry Jazz Festival.