BIX TOP ACT: Danny Grissett

Born in Los Angeles, California, pianist and composer Danny Grissett has been one of the most sought-after musicians on the New York and international jazz scene for 20 years.

He began playing piano at the age of five and formally studied classical music at the age of six. Danny is a graduate of Cal State University Dominguez Hills (B.A. Music Education 1998), Cal Arts (M.F.A. Jazz Keyboard Performance 2000) and the prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute, where he had the opportunity to study with jazz masters Barry Harris, Herbie Hancock, Terence Blanchard, Kenny Barron and Roy Haynes.
After moving to New York, Danny quickly became the sideman of choice for artists such as Vincent Herring, Nicholas Payton, Jeremy Pelt and Vanessa Rubin. He also joined the groups of trumpeter and composer Tom Harrell, with whom he has had an ongoing relationship for the past 16 years. He has appeared on seven of the great trumpeter's last twelve releases.

Danny began his solo career in 2006 with the release of his debut recording "Promise" on the Criss Cross Jazz label to critical acclaim. Over the next ten years, "Promise" was followed by six more notable recordings, during which he split his time between sideman projects and touring with his trio. This time he was a guest with Benny Golson, Louis Hayes, Lenny White, Buster Williams, Marcus Strickland and Jimmy Greene, among others.

Grissett not only maintains an international performance schedule, but has also become a highly regarded educator. He has been an adjunct faculty member at the New School University in NYC and a guest lecturer at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. He has given master classes in Japan, Italy, New York, Slovenia, South Korea, the Netherlands and Denmark. He is currently a lecturer at the Jam Music Lab University in Vienna. His latest recording, Remembrance, was released on the New York record label Savant. It received 4 out of 5 stars in Downbeat Magazine.

Instrumentation: Danny Grissett (p, comp); tba.