Brad Griffin
Brad began his musical career on Long Island . At age 14 he was
playing with Joe Tex,
Bobby Coleman, Harry Johnson, Earl Sheldon, and many gospel groups. While attending
Engineering School in Washington DC he was fortunate to play with Maria Rodriquez's
Latin band. He credits Maria for fine tuning his reading skills. Maria an Oberlin graduate
wrote mostly original complex Latin charts.
By the age of 18 he working the local jazz clubs and the Howard Theatre as a
substitute guitarist. He worked with Harold Vic (sax) Billy Hart (drums) Bill Madden (Piano), Freddie
Williams( Bass) many who became jazz legends and recording artist.
Brad resumed his jazz career in NY when he returned to work for IBM. He began teaching
at the southern Dutchess Music Studio in Wappingers Falls and soon began building
a reputation as one of the areas best guitarist. He joined Don McIntosh (currently with Duke
Ellington Band) group and soon found himself playing with the likes of Don
Pullen (piano), Hugh Brodie (sax), Charlie Williams (sax), Bill Curtis (drums), Bobby Grahm (organ), Harold Minerve (formally with Duke
Ellington ) and a host of New York best jazz musicians.
Brad dropped off the jazz scene and concentrated on teaching for about ten years.
Of the several hundred private students he has had , only five completed the entire seven
book mel bay series. Eighty per cent of his students when on to college.
Two became Medical doctors , one became a Lawyer, several nurses, and many
teachers. Only two went on to study music - one graduating Berkelee.
Locally Brad has worked with many of the Mid Hudson Valley musicians. Three years ago
he took on the electric bass as his next challenge. He has played guitar and bass in
"Baby", Chorus Line", Pip Pen' . Over the years he has worked from LA to NY from
the plush resorts to saw dust floor dives. He has worked as a substitute guitarist on
plush cruise liners to the Hudson day liners. Brad believes learning to play an instrument is the best friend a
person can have. " It's always there when you need it and can offer any level of challenge you are up to. " Music
is the PHYSICS of the SOUL"
Instruments: Guitar / Bass
Vocation: Software Engineer Consultant
Alumnus: BS Marist / SRI / H.U.
Email: mrguitarinkng@webtv.net
Address: Kingston, NY
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