Johnny Griffin, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

Johnny Griffin

American musician

Date of Birth: 24-Apr-1928

Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Date of Death: 25-Jul-2008

Profession: composer, saxophonist, jazz musician

Nationality: United States

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

John Arnold Griffin III (April 24, 1928 – July 25, 2008) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist.
Nicknamed "the Little Giant" for his short stature and forceful playing, Griffin's career began in the early 1940s and continued until the month of his death.
At eighty, he felt no need to stop.
He did not complain.
He had a hard life, but often said, “as long as God has given me the gift to blow, I owe it to God to keep on blowing.” A pioneering figure in hard bop, Griffin recorded prolifically as a bandleader in addition to stints with pianist Thelonious Monk, drummer Art Blakey, in partnership with fellow tenor Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis and as a member of the Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland Big Band after he moved to Europe in the 1960s.
In 1995, Griffin was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee College of Music.