Introduction
James Richard "Dick" Griffin (born 1939 in Jackson, Mississippi) is an American jazz trombonist known for his work on Strata-East Records, and with Rahsaan Roland Kirk.
As a child he studied piano, soon switching to trombone, which he was later to achieve a Master's degree in.
After earning his bachelor's degree in 1963, Griffin began teaching high school while working on his Masters.Griffin is most known for his technique of circular phonics, combining multiphonics with circular breathing. He taught music theory and the history of jazz at Wesleyan University.Later in life, Griffin became an accomplished painter, with showings in New York City and Europe.
A 1995 CD release, The Eight Wonder & More (Konnex Records) features that album as well as most of the Now is the Time album.
Discography
As leader
- The Eighth Wonder (Strata-East, 1974)
- Now Is the Time (Trident, 1979)
- A Dream for Rahsaan (Ruby, 1985)
- Homage to Sun Ra (Ruby, 2014)
As sideman
With Muhal Richard Abrams
- The Hearinga Suite (Soul Note, 1989)
With George Benson
- Body Talk (CTI, 1973)
With Stanley Cowell
- Setup (SteepleChase, 1994)
With Hank Crawford
- Midnight Ramble (1982)
With Joey DeFrancesco
- Where Were You? (Columbia, 1990)
With Charles Earland
- Intensity (Prestige, 1972)
- Charles III (Prestige, 1973)
With Frank Foster
- The Loud Minority (Mainstream, 1972)
With Johnny Hammond
- The Prophet (Kudu, 1972)
With Billy Harper
- Capra Black (Strata-East, 1973)
With Sam Jones
- Something New (Interplay, 1979)
With Roland Kirk
- Volunteered Slavery (Atlantic, 1968)
- Blacknuss (Atlantic, 1971)
- Prepare Thyself to Deal With a Miracle (Atlantic, 1973)
With Les McCann
- Comment (Atlantic, 1970)
With Brother Jack McDuff
- Who Knows What Tomorrow's Gonna Bring? (1970)
With William Parker
- Spontaneous (Splasc(H), 2002)
With Leon Thomas
- Blues and the Soulful Truth (Flying Dutchman, 1972)
With Charles Tolliver
- Music Inc. (Strata-East, 1971)
With McCoy Tyner
- Song of the New World (Milestone, 1973)
- Inner Voices (Milestone, 1977)