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 1-25 of 120 records)

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  
(Results 1-25 of 120 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Griffin, C.," accessed March 28, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/112159.

Griffin, C.. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 28, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/112159.

"Griffin, C.." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 28 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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