Steve Griggs

Biography

West Coast jazz saxophonist Steve Griggs has performed and recorded with such musicians as renowned drummer Elvin Jones and seasoned trumpeter Jay Thomas. Born in N.Y.C., Griggs began playing jazz at the age of 15, then earned a degree in classical music performance. He produced his first recording while in his mid-20s and returned to N.Y.C. after finishing college, and began performing with musicians including Cindy Blackman and David Liebman. Griggs composes much of his material, and has transcribed saxophone solos by the likes of Steve Lacy and David Murray for publication in the jazz magazine Down Beat. Griggs settled in Seattle, WA, in 1993, working during the day as a manager in software development and collaborating at night with area musicians including bassist Phil Sparks and trumpeter Jay Thomas. They were part of the Steve Griggs Quintet's summer 1998 recording sessions that featured legendary drummer Elvin Jones for what was Jones' second time recording in Seattle (the first was the 1965 Coltrane Sextet date that became Live in Seattle). Steve Griggs Quintet's recording session resulted in two volumes entitled Jones for Elvin.