dstrad

One of the best "unkown" big band players. Here is a story - I was with my family on vacation in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania in the mid-70's. We were staying at the Tamiment Hotel. Each night the hotel would have a show with a singer and a comedian. Anyway, we go to the show and my father, (who is a trumpet player and taught instrumental music for 37 years), looks at the band and says, "I think that's Chris Griffin playing lead." I, being an ignorant 12 year old, proceed to ask who is Chris Griffin?" He then tells me that Chris was in the Benny Goodman trumpet section at the famous concert in Carnegie Hall. (He still has the original 45's of that concert) Long story short, after the show my dad takes me to meet him. He was an absolute gentlemen. Very gracious and unassuming. His son was also playing in the section. I saw him several times after that. He was a VERY consistent and tasteful player.

God bless him.