Primary Instrument: Piano
Originally from Los Angeles, California, pianist/composer Danny Grissett is a relatively new addition to the New York jazz scene. He started playing the piano at age five, and began studying classically when he turned six. Danny continued his classical training through high school and college, earning his B.A. in Music Education in 1998, while developing a love for jazz along the way. He further explored his love for jazz in graduate school, earning his M.F.A in Jazz Performance from Cal Arts in 2000, and completing studies at the prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute in 2001. There he studied with jazz masters such as Barry Harris, Herbie Hancock, Terence Blanchard, Kenny Barron, Bobby Watson, Jimmy Heath and Carl Allen.
Also during this time he began to establish himself on the LA Jazz scene with the guidance of one of his mentors, drummer Billy Higgins. He began performing more often with distinguished local and touring artists such as Billy Higgins, George Coleman, Jackie McLean, and Ralph Moore. In 2002 he joined drummer Roy McCurdy in the trio of John Heard, (bassist formerly with the trios of Ahmad Jamal and Oscar Peterson.) The invaluable time spent with Heard and McCurdy, playing clubs frequently, talking about music and the scene in NY, proved to be instrumental in cultivating Grissett’s ever increasing thoughts about moving east.
In the summer of 2003 Danny moved to New York, and within the first few months of Grissett’s arrival, he became a sideman of choice for artists such as Vincent Herring and Vanessa Rubin. You can hear Danny on Vincent Herring’s Mr. Wizard, Ends and Means on High Note, and Live at the Bird’s Eye. He has also been a member of Tom Harrell’s quintet for the last 4 years, appearing on the last two releases from the great trumpeter Light On (2007) and Prana Dance (2008).
In 2006 Danny made his debut as a leader with his first trio recording Promise on the Criss Cross Jazz label, a debut Allmusic.com called “…exquisite, and easily one of the best debuts of 2006.” His second trio recording Encounters was released the following year and he continued to catch the ears of his peers, music lovers, and critics alike. Grissett has been featured in the bands of Nicholas Payton, Steve Wilson, Buster Williams, Russell Malone, and most recently Jeremy Pelt. He has also been busy as a studio musician, recording with the aforementioned Pelt, as well as Jimmy Green, Lage Lund, and Tom Harrell.
Danny continues to perform internationally at jazz festivals and clubs in Italy, France, Germany, Japan, South Africa, Colombia, and many cities within the US. He has performed with other notables such as Freddie Hubbard, Benny Golson, The Mingus Big Band, Marcus Strickland, Steve Nelson, and Louis Hayes.
In May 2009 Danny’s greatly anticipated third recording as a leader Form was released.
“...he plays with an effortless brilliance that distinguishes him as one of the top three young pianists on the contemporary scene...”
~ All Music Guide
“...exquisite...Promise is easily one of the best jazz debuts of 2006, and should rank high on any self-respecting list of the great jazz releases of the year.”
.... “it’s a risky decision to make your debut recording in a trio setting, but pianist Danny Grissett need not worry -- he deserves nothing but acclaim for this set, one of the best maiden voyages that I have heard in years.” [About PROMISE (Criss Cross-2006)] ...by C. Andrew Hovan, AAJ.
“Grissett's Promise, fulfills its title affirmatively. It's an album that can be returned to again and again, rewarding the listener with new layers of enjoyment.”
~ Hot House Magazine
~~ FORM ~~
Danny Grissett
Record Label: Criss Cross
Release Date: May 19, 2009
Recorded: December 13, 2008 in Brooklyn, NY, USA by Max Ross.
Personnel: Danny Grissett - Piano; Vicente Archer - Bass; Kendrick Scott - Drums; Ambrose Akinmusire - Trumpet; Seamus Blake - Tenor Sax; Steve Davis - Trombone.
Tracks: 1. King Cobra (Herbie Hancock), 2. Heard's Word (Danny Grissett), 3. Without You (Danny Grissett), 4. Let's Face The Music And Dance (Irving Berlin), 5. Distant (Danny Grissett), 6. Ugly Beauty (Thelonious Monk), 7. Are We There Yet? (Danny Grissett)
~~ ENCOUNTERS ~~
Danny Grissett
Record Label: Criss Cross
Release Date: February 18, 2008
Recorded: April 2, 2007 in Brooklyn, NY, USA by Max Bolleman.
Personnel: Danny Grissett - Piano; Vicente Archer - Bass; Kendrick Scott - Drums.
Tracks: 1. Hopscotch (Danny Grissett), 2. Waltz For Billy (Danny Grissett), 3. The New beginning (Danny Grissett), 4. Encounters (Danny Grissett), 5. Toy Tune (Wayne Shorter), 6. Sunrise (Danny Grissett), 7. It Could Happen To You (Burke/Jimmy Van Heusen), 8. Never Let Me Go (Evans/Livingstone), 9. Git! (Danny Grissett).
~~ PROMISE ~~
Danny Grissett
Label: Criss Cross
Release Date: May 15, 2006
Recorded: December 4, 2005 in Brooklyn, NY, USA by Max Bolleman
Personnel: Danny Grissett - Piano; Vicente Archer - Bass; Kendrick Scott - Drums.
Tracks: 1. Moment's Notice (John Coltrane), 2. Autumn Nocturne (J. Myrow), 3. Promise (Danny Grissett), 4. Where Do We Go From Here? (Danny Grissett), 5. Cambridge Place (Danny Grissett), 6. You Must Believe In Spring (Ivan Lins), 7. On The Edge (Danny Grissett), 8. Everything Happens To Me (Matt Dennis/Tom Adair), 9. Eleventh Hour (Mulgrew Miller).
Disclaimer: All About Jazz is not responsible for the accuracy of the discographical data at the website(s) provided. If a link is no longer valid, please contact discography@allaboutjazz.com. Thank you.
