Griffin has been on the New Orleans scene for some time, most of it in the role of supporting musician. On Grace (Trac-One), he steps forward as a leader, playing trumpet and flugelhorn with a rich tone, writing original material, and singing in a voice OffBeat called “unspectacular but solid.”
The album mixes smooth, big-band jazz with funk, soul, and gospel — the title track is a big production number featuring no fewer than eleven vocalists, while simpler arrangements carry tracks like “Buckethead” and “Blue Collar Worker.” His band on the record included Herman Ernest on drums, Marc Brooks on bass, Clark Knighten on keyboards, and Marc Adams on organ. Griffin remains a regular in George Porter Jr.'s circle, playing trumpet in Porter's Tipitina's tribute house band.
