C. Griffin
Gordon Claude "Chris" Griffin (October 31, 1915 – June 18, 2005) was an American jazz trumpeter. Griffin was born in Binghamton, New York, United States, but moved to White Plains when he was ten; he began playing trumpet at age twelve, and played in dance bands as a teenager. He worked with Charlie Barnet, Rudy Vallee, Miff Mole, Mildred Bailey, Teddy Wilson, and Joe Haymes in the mid-1930s, and did work as a studio musician for CBS radio broadcasting. In 1936 he joined Benny Goodman's big band, remaining with him until 1939. He appeared in several movies as a member of Goodman's ensemble, such as The Big Broadcast of 1937 and Hollywood Hotel, and was the last surviving member of Goodman's band to perform in the first major jazz event at Carnegie Hall which was recorded and later released as The Famous 1938 Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert. In 1940 he played with Jimmy Dorsey and occasionally returned to Goodman's band in the 1940s and 1950s, but primarily worked on staff at CBS from the late 1930s onward. He played trumpet for radio television soundtracks into the 1980s, including for The Ed Sullivan Show, The Jackie Gleason Show, Lucky Strike Hit Parade, The Philip Morris Playhouse, and Camel Caravan. Griffin and Pee Wee Erwin co-founded a trumpet education school which operated from 1966 to 1970, and toured with Warren Covington in Europe in 1974. He worked with Tex Beneke, Bud Freeman, and Warren Vaché Sr. later in his career. In the 1980s he led an ensemble of his own which included sidemen such as Marty Napoleon, Sonny Igoe, Jane Jarvis, and Major Holley. Griffin was married to vocalist Helen O'Brien for 60 years until her death in 2000. The couple had four sons, one of whom also died in 2000, and two daughters. He died aged 89 in 2005 of melanoma. |
Birth and Death Data: Born October 31, 1915 (Binghamton), Died June 18, 2005 (Danbury)
Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1937 - 1954
Roles Represented in DAHR: trumpet
Notes: Birth name: Gordon Griffin.
= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.
Recordings
Company | Matrix No. | Size | First Recording Date | Title | Primary Performer | Description | Role | Audio |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Victor | PBS-09569 | 10-in. | 7/6/1937 | Peckin' | Benny Goodman Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | PBS-09570 | 10-in. | 7/6/1937 | Can't we be friends? | Benny Goodman Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | PCS-09571 | 12-in. | 7/6/1937 | Sing, sing, sing | Benny Goodman Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | PCS-09572 | 12-in. | 7/6/1937 | Sing, sing, sing | Benny Goodman Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | PBS-09576 | 10-in. | 7/7/1937 | Roll 'em | Benny Goodman Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | PBS-09577 | 10-in. | 7/7/1937 | When it's sleepy time down South | Benny Goodman Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | PBS-09578 | 10-in. | 7/7/1937 | Afraid to dream | Benny Goodman Orchestra ; Betty Van | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | PBS-09579 | 10-in. | 7/7/1937 | Changes | Benny Goodman Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | BS-017039 | 10-in. | 11/12/1937 | You took the words right out of my mouth | Benny Goodman Orchestra ; Martha Tilton | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | BS-017040 | 10-in. | 11/12/1937 | Mama, that moon is here again | Benny Goodman Orchestra ; Martha Tilton | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | BS-017041 | 10-in. | 11/12/1937 | Loch Lomond | Benny Goodman Orchestra ; Martha Tilton | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | BS-017042 | 10-in. | 11/12/1937 | Camel hop | Benny Goodman Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | BS-017043 | 10-in. | 11/12/1937 | True confession | Benny Goodman Orchestra ; Martha Tilton | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | BS-017044 | 10-in. | 11/12/1937 | Life goes to a party | Benny Goodman Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | BS-017454 | 10-in. | 12/3/1937 | If dreams come true | Benny Goodman Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | BS-017455 | 10-in. | 12/3/1937 | I'm like a fish out of water | Benny Goodman Orchestra ; Martha Tilton | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | BS-017456 | 10-in. | 12/3/1937 | Sweet stranger | Benny Goodman Orchestra ; Martha Tilton | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | BS-019831 | 10-in. | 2/16/1938 | Don't be that way | Benny Goodman Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | BS-019832 | 10-in. | 2/16/1938 | One o'clock jump | Benny Goodman Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | BS-024472 | 10-in. | 8/8/1938 | You got me | Benny Goodman Orchestra ; Martha Tilton | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | BS-024473 | 10-in. | 8/8/1938 | Blue interlude | Benny Goodman Orchestra ; Martha Tilton | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | BS-028997 | 10-in. | 11/23/1938 | I must see Annie tonight | Benny Goodman Orchestra ; Martha Tilton | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | BS-028998 | 10-in. | 11/23/1938 | Kind'a lonesome | Benny Goodman Orchestra ; Martha Tilton | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | BS-028999 | 10-in. | 11/23/1938 | My honey's lovin' arms | Benny Goodman Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | BS-030308 | 10-in. | 11/23/1938 | Farewell blues | Benny Goodman Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | BS-034649 | 10-in. | 5/4/1939 | Pick a rib | Benny Goodman Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | BS-034650 | 10-in. | 5/4/1939 | You and your love | Benny Goodman Orchestra ; Martha Tilton | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | BS-034651 | 10-in. | 5/4/1939 | Who'll buy my bublitchki? | Benny Goodman Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | D6VB-3280 | 10-in. | 11/19/1946 | Empty saddles | Mullen Sisters ; Tony Mottola Orchestra | Female vocal trio, with jazz/dance septet | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | D6VB-3281 | 10-in. | 11/19/1946 | Time on my Hands | Mullen Sisters ; Tony Mottola Orchestra | Female vocal trio, with jazz/dance septet | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | D6VB-3282 | 10-in. | 11/19/1946 | Basin Street blues | Mullen Sisters ; Tony Mottola Orchestra | Female vocal trio, with jazz/dance septet | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | D6VB-3286 | 10-in. | 11/26/1946 | Standing in the need of prayer | Mullen Sisters ; Tony Mottola Orchestra | Female vocal trio, with jazz/dance septet | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | D7VB-0994 | 10-in. | 6/23/1947 | Mother, Mother, Mother (is it good or is it bad) | Toots Camarata ; Beryl Davis ; Toots Camarata Orchestra | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | D7VB-0995 | 10-in. | 6/23/1947 | You're breaking in a new heart (while you're breaking mine) | Toots Camarata ; Beryl Davis ; Toots Camarata Orchestra | Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | D7VB-1215 | 10-in. | 6/30/1947 | Trouble is a man | Hall Sisters ; Jesse Stone Orchestra ; Jesse Stone | Female vocal trio, with jazz/dance septet | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | D7VB-1216 | 10-in. | 6/30/1947 | You never can tell the depth of a well (by the length of the handle on the pump) | Hall Sisters ; Jesse Stone Orchestra ; Jesse Stone | Female vocal trio, with jazz/dance septet | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | D7VB-2085 | 10-in. | 11/17/1947 | Sneaky Pete | Jesse Stone Orchestra ; Jesse Stone | Male vocal solo, with jazz septet | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | D7VB-2086 | 10-in. | 11/17/1947 | I came home unexpectedly | Jesse Stone Orchestra ; Jesse Stone | Male vocal solo, with jazz septet | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | D7VB-2087 | 10-in. | 11/17/1947 | Who's zat | Jesse Stone Orchestra | Male vocal solo, with jazz septet | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | D7VB-2088 | 10-in. | 11/18/1947 | Texas belle | Pecos River Rogues ; Billy Williams [1913-2001] | Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | D7VB-2089 | 10-in. | 11/18/1947 | That tumbledown shack (in the valley) | Pecos River Rogues ; Billy Williams [1913-2001] | Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | D7VB-2090 | 10-in. | 11/18/1947 | Just as big as Texas | Pecos River Rogues ; Billy Williams [1913-2001] | Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | D7VB-2091 | 10-in. | 11/18/1947 | Livin' western style | Pecos River Rogues ; Billy Williams [1913-2001] | Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | D9VB-0990 | 10-in. | 3/24/1949 | Happy Talk | Eve Young | Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | D9VB-1246 | 10-in. | 4/7/1949 | Bar room polka | Merrie Musette Orchestra ; Johnny Olsen | Male vocal solo, with vocal trio and jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | D9VB-1247 | 10-in. | 4/7/1949 | The miller's daughter | Continental Capers ; Merrie Musette Orchestra | Vocal group, with jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | D9VB-1516 | 10-in. | 5/17/1949 | My love loves me | Henri René ; Fran Warren | Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | D9VB-1517 | 10-in. | 5/17/1949 | Will I find my love today? | Henri René ; Fran Warren | Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Victor | D9VB-1518 | 10-in. | 5/17/1949 | (Where are you) Now that I need you? | Henri René ; Fran Warren | Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble | instrumentalist, trumpet | |
Atlantic | 411 | 10-in. | 4/26/1950 | Crazy words - crazy tune - vo-do-de-o | Tommy Reynolds ; The Tom Cats | instrumentalist, trumpet | ||
Atlantic | 412 | 10-in. | 4/26/1950 | Did you come back to say goodbye? | Tommy Reynolds ; The Tom Cats | instrumentalist, trumpet | ||
Atlantic | 413 | 10-in. | 4/26/1950 | Oceana roll | Tommy Reynolds ; The Tom Cats | instrumentalist, trumpet | ||
Decca | 73300 | 1/22/1946 | Good morning heartache-1 | Billie Holiday | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 73301 | 1/22/1946 | No good man | Billie Holiday | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 73301[a] | 1/22/1946 | Big Stuff | Billie Holiday | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 73818 | 3/19/1947 | A Sunday kind of love | Ella Fitzgerald | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 73819 | 3/19/1947 | That's my desire | Ella Fitzgerald | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 73820 | 3/19/1947 | Oh, lady be good | Ella Fitzgerald | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 76401 | 5/22/1950 | Semper fidelis | Bob Crosby Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 76402 | 5/22/1950 | El Capitan | Bob Crosby Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 76403 | 5/22/1950 | The thunderer | Bob Crosby Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 76845 | 9/14/1950 | Jingle bells | Artie Shaw Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 76846 | 9/14/1950 | Where or when | Artie Shaw Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 76847 | 9/14/1950 | Blue again | Artie Shaw Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 76912 | 9/29/1950 | May I? | Tommy Dorsey Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 76913 | 9/29/1950 | One morning in May | Tommy Dorsey Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 81328 | 8/1/1951 | The kissing bug boogie | Neal Hefti Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 81329 | 8/1/1951 | (I wouldn't be where I am) If you hadn't gone away | Neal Hefti Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 81330 | 8/1/1951 | Coral reef | Neal Hefti Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 81397 | 8/14/1951 | A cabin in the cotton | Neal Hefti Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 81398 | 8/14/1951 | Bing bong bing | Neal Hefti Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 81399 | 8/14/1951 | Uncle Jim | Neal Hefti Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 81451 | 8/24/1951 | Shine on harvest moon | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 81452 | 8/24/1951 | Introduction to a waltz | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 81453 | 8/25/1951 | The dipsy doodle | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 81454 | 8/25/1951 | Flagwaver | Jerry Gray Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 81749 | 10/22/1951 | Charmaine | Neal Hefti Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 81750 | 10/22/1951 | Regular man | Neal Hefti Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 81751 | 10/22/1951 | Uncle Jim | Neal Hefti Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 82042 | 12/27/1951 | You're the only one I love | Neal Hefti Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 82043 | 12/27/1951 | Don't be that way | Neal Hefti Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 82255 | 2/6/1952 | Sahara's aide | Neal Hefti Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 82256 | 2/6/1952 | Always | Neal Hefti Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 82257 | 2/6/1952 | Cherokee | Neal Hefti Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 83644 | 11/14/1952 | Lake Placid | Neal Hefti Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 83645 | 11/14/1952 | Uncle Jim | Neal Hefti Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 83646 | 11/14/1952 | Waltzing on a cloud | Neal Hefti Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 83647 | 11/15/1952 | In Veradero-1 | Neal Hefti Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 83648 | 11/15/1952 | Falling in love all over again | Neal Hefti Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 83649 | 11/15/1952 | It's a happy holiday | Neal Hefti Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 83650 | 11/15/1952 | Two for a nickel, three for a dime | Neal Hefti Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 84736 | 6/22/1953 | Memphis blues | Ray McKinley Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 84737 | 6/22/1953 | Ol' shanks mare | Ray McKinley Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 84738 | 6/22/1953 | Rhythm-a-tic | Ray McKinley Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 84739 | 6/22/1953 | Long gone | Ray McKinley Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 84817 | 7/6/1953 | It could happen to you | Artie Shaw Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 84818 | 7/6/1953 | They can't take that away from me | Artie Shaw Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 84819 | 7/6/1953 | All the things you are | Artie Shaw Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 84820 | 7/6/1953 | September song | Artie Shaw Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 85447 | 11/7/1953 | Whamboogie | George Williams Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 85448 | 11/7/1953 | Creole | George Williams Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 85449 | 11/7/1953 | The knocked out choo choo | George Williams Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 85450 | 11/7/1953 | The rompin' stamper | George Williams Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 86481 | 6/29/1954 | Soft touch | George Williams Orchestra ; Bart Varsalona | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 86482 | 6/29/1954 | Block buster | George Williams Orchestra ; Bart Varsalona | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 86483 | 6/29/1954 | You can't stop love | George Williams Orchestra ; Bart Varsalona | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 86484 | 6/29/1954 | Saturday night function | George Williams Orchestra ; Bart Varsalona | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 86982 | 10/29/1954 | [Unknown title(s)] | George Williams Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 86983 | 10/29/1954 | Song from Desiree (We meet again) | George Williams Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 86984 | 10/29/1954 | Tiger rag mambo | George Williams Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | 86985 | 10/29/1954 | [Unknown title(s)] | George Williams Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Signature | SRC 189 | 10-in. | 1945 | 22 steps from the corner | Johnny Bothwell Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | ||
Signature | SRC 190 | 10-in. | 1945 | Strange feeling | Johnny Bothwell Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | ||
Signature | SRC 281 | 10-in. | 1946 | Etude Brutus | Will Bradley Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | ||
Signature | SRC 289 | 10-in. | 1946 | If I'm lucky | Will Bradley Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | ||
Signature | SRC 290 | 10-in. | 1946 | Sooner or later | Will Bradley Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | ||
Signature | SRC 291 | 10-in. | 1946 | Turn the knob on the left to the right | Will Bradley Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | ||
Signature | SRC 417 | 10-in. | 1947 | If there is someone lovelier | Will Bradley Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | ||
Signature | SRC 418 | 10-in. | 1947 | Celery stalks at midnight | Will Bradley Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | ||
Signature | SRC 419 | 10-in. | 1947 | Easy ride | Will Bradley Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | ||
Signature | SRC 514 | 10-in. | approximately 1947 | Lonely moments | Will Bradley Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | ||
Signature | SRC 515 | 10-in. | approximately 1947 | Bop 'n' boogie | Will Bradley Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | ||
Signature | SRC 564 | 10-in. | approximately 1947 | What is this thing called love? | Anita O'Day | instrumentalist, trumpet | ||
Signature | SRC 565 | 10-in. | approximately 1947 | Hi ho trailus boot whip | Anita O'Day | instrumentalist, trumpet | ||
Signature | SRC 566 | 10-in. | approximately 1947 | I told ya I love ya | Anita O'Day | instrumentalist, trumpet | ||
Signature | SRC 567 | 10-in. | approximately 1947 | It's different when it happens to you | Anita O'Day | instrumentalist, trumpet | ||
Decca | L 6046 | 2/6/1951 | You're just in love | Lil Hardin Armstrong ; Louis Armstrong | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | L 6047 | 2/6/1951 | If | Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet | |||
Decca | L 6048 | 2/6/1951 | (I want a) Big butter and egg man (from the West) | Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra | instrumentalist, trumpet |
Citation
Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Griffin, C.," accessed November 9, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/112159.
Griffin, C.. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 9, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/112159.
"Griffin, C.." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 9 November 2024.
DAHR Persistent Identifier
External Sources
Wikipedia: Chris Griffin
Discogs: C. Griffin
Allmusic: C. Griffin
Grove: C. Griffin
IMDb: C. Griffin
Britannica: C. Griffin
Linked Open Data Sources
LCNAR: Griffin, Chris, 1915-2005 - http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no2003053125
Wikidata: Chris Griffin - http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q1077247
VIAF: http://viaf.org/viaf/348149294108080520870
MusicBrainz: Chris Griffin - https://musicbrainz.org/artist/e07f1817-76d6-46aa-b202-fc3d82f89a03
Wikipedia content provided under the terms of the Creative Commons BY-SA license
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