picture of Paul Griffin
Paul Griffin
Paul Griffin, born 1938 in Harlem, learnt to play the piano by watching the pianist playing in the Baptist Church. His interest led him to study classical music at the High School of Music and Art. He first played viola in the All-City Orchestra and worked as an accompanist at the Apollo Theatre. Paul got his first professional engagement when King Curtis, the famous saxophonist, heard him there. They toured and made recordings together.
 
1960, after some years of touring with King Curtis, Paul became a member of the Scepter Records House Band. He also worked for various producers and singers. 1965, Paul became part of the folk and rock scene. He played the piano and the organ for Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Peter Paul & Mary, Carly Simon, and many more. Ten years later, a deep cooperation with Steely Dan began. "There are some musicians who are hacks," Donald Fagen of Steely Dan once said, "and then there are guys like Paul who can create something so different and unique they make the record." In the 80's, Paul also gave lessons, wrote arrangements and recorded commercial jingles.
 
Paul Griffin died on 14 June 2000.
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Discography [20]
Blues Around the Clock
Prestige PR 7314
released 1964
recorded November 1963 in Englewood Cliffs, NJ/USA
Jimmy Witherspoon, vocals
Lord Westbrook, guitar
Paul Griffin, Hammond organ
Leonard Gaskin, bass
Herbie Lovelle, drums
Unforgettable (A Tribute To Dinah Washington)
Columbia CS 8963
released 1964
Aretha Franklin, piano, vocals
Buddy Lucas, tenor sax, harmonica
Bob Asher, trombone
Ernie Royal, trumpet
Paul Griffin, organ
Ernie Hayes, organ, piano
Teddy Charles, vibraphone
George Duvivier, bass
Gary Chester, drums
Latin Fever
Atlantic 1422
released 1964
recorded in New York City/USA and Rio de Janeiro/Brazil
Hernie Mann, flute Paulo Moura, tenor sax, trumpet
Ernie Royal, trumpet, flugelhorn
Pedro Paulo, trumpet
Clark Terry, trumpet, flugelhorn
Durval Ferreira, guitar
Baden Powell, guitar
Bill Suyker, guitar
Paul Griffin, piano, organ
Antonio Carlos Jobim, piano
Sergio Mendes, piano
Otavio Bailly jr., bass
Gabriel, bass
Nabil Totah, bass
Rudy Collins, drums
Juquinha, drums
Bobby Thomas, drums
Dom Um, drums
George Devens, percussion
Hammond Swing
Somerset 641
released 1965
Paul Griffin, Hammond organ
further details unknown
Blow-Up
MGM Records SE4447 ST
released 1966
recorded October 1966 in New York City/USA
Herbie Hancock, piano, melodica
Phil Woods, alto sax
Joe Henderson, tenor sax
Freddie Hubbard, trumpet
Joe Newman, trumpet
Jim Hall, guitar
Paul Griffin, organ
Ron Carter, bass
Jack DeJohnette, drums

Except track B1 performed by the Yardbirds:
Jeff Beck, guitar
Jimmy Page, guitar
Keith Relf, harmonica, vocals
Chris Dreja, bass
Jim McCarty, drums
Soul Flutes - Trust In Me
CTI Records SP-3009
released 1968
recorded February and March 1968 in Englewood Cliffs, NJ/USA
Herbie Mann, flute (not confirmed)
Hubert Laws, flute (not confirmed)
George Marge, flute
Joel Kaye, flute
Romeo Penque, flute
Stan Webb, flute
Bucky Pizzarelli, guitar
Eric Gale, guitar
Paul Griffin, organ
Herbie Hancock, piano, organ, harpsichord
Henry Watts, vibes, marimba
Ron Carter, bass
Grady Tate, drums
The Great Byrd
Columbia CS 9747
released 1968
Charlie Byrd, guitar
Mario Darpino, flute
Romeo Penque, piccolo flute, alto flute, English horn, recorder
Vinnie Bell, guitar
Herbie Hancock, piano
Paul Griffin, piano, organ
Chuck Rainey, bass
Joe Mack, bass
Bernard Purdie, drums
Bobby Rosengarden, drums, percussion
Phil Kraus, percussion
Specs Powell, percussion
Swing With Hammond Organ
Alshire S-5116
released 1968
101 Strings Orchestra
Paul Griffin, Hammond organ
Mr. Blues Plays Lady Soul
Atlantic SD 1523
released 1969
recorded January 1966 through February 1969
Hank Crawford, alto sax, piano
Arif Mardin, conductor
Gene Orloff, leader
Frank Wess, alto sax
Wendell Harrison, tenor sax
David "Fathead" Newman, tenor sax, flute
Seldon Powell, tenor sax
Pepper Adams, baritone sax
Howard Johnson, baritone sax
Lonnie Shaw, baritone sax
Jimmy Cleveland, trombone
Benny Powell, trombone
Fielder Floyd, trumpet
Bernie Glow, trumpet
John Hunt, trumpet
Joe Newman, trumpet
Ernie Royal, trumpet
Snooky Young, trumpet
Sonny Forriest, guitar
Eric Gale, guitar
Paul Griffin, organ, piano
Richard Tee, piano
Ron Carter, bass
Charles Dungey, bass
Charles Green, bass
Jerry Jemmott, bass
Charles Lindsay, bass
Chuck Rainey, bass
Joe Dukes, drums
Wilbert G.T. Hogan, drums
Bernard "Pretty" Purdie, drums
Milt Turner, drums
Specs Powell, percussion
Burnin'
Atlantic SD 1565
released 1970
recorded live at Freddie Jett's Pied Piper in Los Angeles, CA/USA
Esther Phillips, vocals
King Curtis, tenor sax
Joe Newman, trumpet
Joe Gentle, flute
Cornell Dupree, guitar
Paul Griffin, organ
Richard Tee, organ
Jack Wilson, piano
Chuck Rainey, bass
Ike Isaacs, bass
Donald Bailey, drums
Lottie Golden
GRT GRT 30003
released 1971
Lotti Golden, vocals
Randy Brecker, horn
Ronald E Cuber, horn
Joe Farrell, horn
Marvin Stamm, horn
Hugh McCracken, guitar, harp, whistle
Paul Griffin, organ, piano
Mike Mainieri, organ, piano, vibes, percussion
Chet Amsterdam, bass
Dennis Seiwell, drums, percussion
The Free Design: One By One
Project 3 Total Sound PR 5061SD
released 1972

Babe Clarke, sax
Seldon Powell, sax
Garnett Brown, trombone
Alan Reubin, trumpet, flugelhorn
Ernie Royal, trumpet, flugelhorn
Chris Dedrick, trumpet, piano, vocals
Randy Brecker, trumpet, flugelhorn
Jack Jeffers, bass trombone
Jerry Friedman, guitar
Stu Scharf, guitar
Bob Mann, guitar
Paul Griffin, organ
Pat Ribboloff, piano
Andy Muson, bass
Tom Seznesiak, bass
Billy Cobham, drums
Gary Gauger, drums
Ellen Dedrick, percussion
Gary Gauger, percussion
Ellen Dedrick, vocals
Sandy Dedrick, vocals
Soul Is... Pretty Purdie
Flying Dutchman FD-10154
released 1972

Bernard "Pretty" Purdie, drums, vocals
Ralph MacDonald, conductor, congas
Jimmy Powell, alto sax
Charlie Brown, tenor sax
Seldon Powell, tenor sax
Harold Vick, tenor sax
Arthur "Babe" Clarke, baritone sax
Garnett Brown, trombone
Danny Moore, trumpet
Ernie Royal, trumpet
Selwart Clarke, alto clarinet
Jay Berliner, guitar
Lloyd Davis, guitar
Cornell Dupree, guitar
Billy Nichols, guitar
Paul Griffin, organ
Horace Ott, piano
Richard Tee, organ
string section
Gerald Jemmott, bass
Paul Martinez, bass
Gordon "Specs" Powell, percussion
Norman Pride, bongos, congas, percussion
Eileen Gilbert, vocals
Carl Hall, vocals
Hilda Harris, vocals
Barbara Massey, vocals
Maretha Stewart, vocals
Sassy Soul Strut
Blue Note BN-LA109-F
released 1973
recorded April 1973 in New York City/USA
Lou Donaldson, alto sax
Thad Jones, trumpet
Garnett Brown, trombone
Seldon Powell, tenor sax, flute
Buddy Lucas, harmonica
Paul Griffin, piano, organ
Horace Ott, piano
Hugh McCracken, guitar
David Spinozza, guitar
John Tropea, guitar
Wilbur Bascomb, bass
Bernard Purdie, drums
Omar Clay, percussion
Jack Jennings, percussion
The Manhattan Transfer: Coming Out
Atlantic SD 18183
released 1976
recorded in New York, NY and Los Angeles, CA/USA
Michael Brecker, soprano sax, tenor sax
Jackie Kelso, tenor sax, baritone sax
Jay Migliori, tenor sax
Randy Brecker, trumpet
Ben Benay, guitar
Bob Bowles, guitar
Robert Bowles, guitar
Ira Newborn, guitar
Paul Griffin, organ, synthesizer
John Barnes, piano
Dr. John, piano
Dave Frishberg, piano
Arthur Jenkins, piano
Clarence McDonald, piano, percussion
Mike Melvoin, piano
Bill Payne, piano
Roger Steinman, piano
Steve Paietta, accordion
Andy Muson, bass
Jim Gordon, drums
Jim Keltner, drums
David Kemper, drums
Roy Markowitz, drums
Jim Nelson, drums
Rick Shlosser, drums
Ringo Starr, drums
Bobbye Hall, percussion
Ralph MacDonald, percussion
Nicky Marrero, percussion, timbales
Bobbye Porter, percussion
John "Dandy" Rodriguez, percussion
Doug Throngren, percussion
Tim Hauser, vocals
Laurel Massé, vocals
Alan Paul, vocals
Janis Siegel, vocals
Tiger In The Rain
Warner Bros. BSK 3294
released 1979
recorded November 1978 in New York City/USA
Michael Franks, guitar, banjo, mandolin, vocals
Harry Lookofsky, concert master
Seldon Powell, soprano sax, tenor sax
George Young, tenor sax, flute
Randy Brecker, horn
John Clark, horn
Lew Del Gatto, horn
Tom "Bones" Malone, horn
Lou Marini, horn
Claudio Roditi, horn
David Sanborn, horn
Lew Soloff, piccolo trumpet
Howard Leshaw, flute
David Liebman, flute
Joe Caro, guitar
Bucky Pizzarelli, guitar
Kenny Barron, piano
Dominic Cortese, concertina, percussion
Paul Griffin, organ
Bob Leinbach, organ
Mike Mainieri, vibes
string section
Herb Bushler, bass
Ron Carter, bass
Ben Riley, drums
Rick Marotta, drums
Buddy Williams, drums
Rubens Bassini, percussion
Errol Crusher Bennett, congas
John Simon, percussion
Mr. Excitement!
Rhino Records R2 70775
released 1992
compilation
Jackie Wilson, vocals
Phil Bodner, alto sax
Jerome Richardson, tenor sax
Ed Bearfield, sax
Buddy Lucas, sax
Seldon Powell, sax
Sam "The Man" Taylor, sax
Jimmy Cleveland, trombone
Herbie Green, trombone
Frank Rehak, trombone
Frank Sarroco, trombone
Jimmy Nottingham, trumpet
Ernie Royal, trumpet
Don Arnone, guitar
Everett Barksdale, guitar
Cornell Dupree, guitar
Eric Gale, guitar
William Johnson, guitar
Mundell Lowe, guitar
Carl Lynch, guitar, bass
Helen MacDowell, guitar
Wally Richardson, guitar
Johnny Trupee, guitar
Frank Owens, piano
Count Basie, piano
George Butcher, piano
Leroy Glover, piano
Paul Griffin, organ, piano
Ernie Hayes, organ, piano
Bert Keyes, piano
David Martin, piano
string section
George Duvivier, bass
Leonard Gaskin, bass
Milt Hinton, bass
James Tyrell, bass
Gary Chester, drums
Panama Francis, drums
Bernard "Pretty" Purdie, drums
Warren Smith, drums, percussion
Artie Butler, percussion
George Devins, percussion
Jack Jennings, percussion
Phil Kraus, percussion
Linda Hopkins, vocals
The Best Of King Curtis
Capitol Jazz D 115560
recorded August 1962 through March 1965
King Curtis, tenor sax
Billy Butler, guitar
Cornell Dupree, guitar
Paul Griffin, organ, piano
Ernie Hayes, organ
George Stubbs, piano
Chuck Rainey, bass
Jimmy Lewis, bass
James Tyrell, bass
Ray Lucas, drums
Forever - An Anthology
Elektra Entertainment Group 62104-2
compilation, recorded in Los Angeles, CA and New York, NY/USA
Judy Collins, guitar, vocals
Albert Richmond, horn
Larry Wechsler, horn
Wayne Andre, trombone
Sy Berger, trombone
Garnett Brown, trombone
Mickey Gravine, trombone
Urbie Green, trombone
Joel Kaye, woodwind
Les Scott, woodwind
Jerry Smith, woodwind
Bob Steen, woodwind
Sidney Weinberg, woodwind
Charlie Brown, guitar
James Burton, guitar
Erik Darling, banjo
Buddy Emmons, pedal steel
Russell George, guitar
Steve Goodman, guitar
Fred Hellerman, guitar
Bill Keith, pedal steel
John Leventhal, guitar
Steve Mandell, guitar, banjo
Jerry Mathews, guitar
Hugh McCracken, guitar
Roger McGuinn, guitar, banjo
Cliff Morris, guitar
Dean Parks, guitar
Walter Raim, banjo
Stephen Stills, guitar, bass
Jesse Valenzuela, guitar
Eric Weissberg, guitar, banjo, bass
Kenneth Bichel, organ
Dominic Cortese, accordion
Paul Griffin, organ, piano
Michael Melvoin, piano
Van Dyke Parks, piano
Michael Sahl, piano
Russell Walden, piano
Kai Winding, piano
Abe Rosen, harp
Margaret Ross, harp
Don Brooks, harmonica
Norton Buffalo, harmonica
string section
John Beal, bass
Chris Ethridge, bass
David Hungate, bass
Tony Levin, bass
Bill Takas, bass
Tony Beard, drums
Steve Gadd, drums
Jim Keltner, drums
Allan Schwartzberg, drums, percussion
Rubens Bassini, percussion
Hank Jaramillo, percussion
Richard Rimbaugh, percussion
Yasmin Aga Khan, vocals
Iris Hiskey, vocals
Audrey Klar, vocals
Abigail Lewis, vocals
Dora Ohrenstein, vocals
Ann Sease Monoyios, vocals
Lucy Shelton, vocals
Jazz Me Blues
Prestige PRCD-11008-2
compilation, recorded 1956 - 1969
Jimmy Witherspoon, vocals
Hidle Brown Barnum, conductor
Leo Wright, alto sax, tambourine
Jimmy Allen, tenor sax
Teddy Edwards, tenor sax
Coleman Hawkins, tenor sax
Clifford Scott, tenor sax
Ben Webster, tenor sax
Pepper Adams, baritone sax
Gerry Mulligan, baritone sax
William Green, sax
Charlie Kennedy, sax
Harold Land, sax
Jay Migliori, sax
Ted Nash, sax
Maurice Simon, sax
Lew McCreary, trombone
Frank Rosolino, trombone
Richard Taylor, trombone
Bill Watrous, trombone
John Anderson, trumpet
Martin Banks, trumpet
Bobby Bryant, trumpet, flugelhorn
Harry "Sweets" Edison, trumpet
Roy Eldridge, trumpet
Conrad Gozzo, trumpet
Al Porcino, trumpet
Gerald Wilson, trumpet
Woody Herman, clarinet
Kenny Burrell, guitar
Herman Burell Mitchell, guitar
Al Viola, guitar
T-Bone Walker, guitar
Chauncey Westbrook, guitar
Ernie Freeman, piano
Paul Griffin, organ
Hampton Hawes, piano
Earl Hines, piano
Roger Kellaway, piano
Bert Kendrix, organ
Gildo Mahones, piano
Henry McDode, piano
Bill Miller, piano
Jimmy Rowles, piano
Arthur Wright, harmonica
string section
Vernon Alley, bass
Jimmy Bond, bass
Richard Davis, bass
Leonard Gaskin, bass
Jimmy Hamilton, bass
Clarence Jones, bass
George Tucker, bass
Leroy Vinnegar, bass
Mel Lewis, drums
Herb Lovelle, drums
Jimmy Miller, drums
Earl Palmer, drums
Wayne Robertson, drums
Jimmie Smith, drums

 
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