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 (Results 26-50 of 129 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
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  
(Results 26-50 of 129 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Griffin, C.," accessed November 25, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/112159.

Griffin, C.. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 25, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/112159.

"Griffin, C.." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 25 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/112159

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