Danny Grissett

Biography

Danny Grissett, born in 1975 in Los Angeles, California, began playing piano at age five and started formal classical studies at six. He earned a B.A. in Music Education from Cal State University Dominguez Hills in 1998 and an M.F.A. in Jazz Keyboard Performance from Cal Arts in 2000, followed by studies at the prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute with masters including Barry Harris, Herbie Hancock, Terence Blanchard, Kenny Barron, and Roy Haynes.[1][2][6] After moving to New York, he became a sought-after sideman, collaborating with luminaries like Vincent Herring, Nicholas Payton, Jeremy Pelt, Vanessa Rubin, and especially Tom Harrell, with whom he has worked for over 16 years on seven of Harrell's last 12 releases.[1][2][4]

Grissett launched his solo career in 2006 with the critically acclaimed debut album Promise on Criss Cross Jazz, followed by six more recordings over the next decade, balancing trio tours with sideman work alongside Benny Golson, Louis Hayes, Lenny White, Buster Williams, Marcus Strickland, and Jimmy Greene.[1][2][3] Renowned for his technical brilliance, soulful touch, and seamless blend of modern innovation with jazz tradition, he has maintained an international performance schedule while establishing himself as an educator, serving as adjunct faculty at New School University, guest lecturer at Eastman School of Music, and currently on faculty at Jam Music Lab University in Vienna.[2] His latest album Remembrance on Savant received 4 out of 5 stars from Downbeat Magazine.[2]

Grissett's legacy endures as a defining figure on the New York and global jazz scenes for over 20 years, celebrated for evocative compositions, interactive trio leadership—often with Vicente Archer on bass across all seven leader recordings—and performances at venues like Teatro La Fenice and Ronnie Scott's.[2][4][9]

Fun Facts

• Grissett's debut album Promise (2006) was hailed by All About Jazz as 'one of the best maiden voyages that I have heard in years' and AllMusic named him 'one of the top three young pianists on the contemporary scene.'[4]
• Bassist Vicente Archer has played on all seven of Grissett's recordings as a leader, including the trio album Travelogue with drummer Bill Stewart.[2]
• In addition to performing, Grissett has taught master classes worldwide in Japan, Italy, New York, Slovenia, South Korea, The Netherlands, and Denmark.[2]
• His album Remembrance (Savant) earned 4 out of 5 stars in Downbeat Magazine.[2]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Barry Harris - jazz master teacher at Thelonious Monk Institute (studies during Monk Institute program) [early 2000s]
• Herbie Hancock - jazz master teacher at Thelonious Monk Institute (studies during Monk Institute program) [early 2000s]
• Terence Blanchard - jazz master teacher at Thelonious Monk Institute (studies during Monk Institute program) [early 2000s]
• Kenny Barron - jazz master teacher at Thelonious Monk Institute (studies during Monk Institute program) [early 2000s]
• Roy Haynes - jazz master teacher at Thelonious Monk Institute (studies during Monk Institute program) [early 2000s]

Key Collaborators

• Tom Harrell - long-term sideman in trumpeter's groups (7 of last 12 releases) [past 16 years]
• Vincent Herring - sideman (various projects) [post-NY move]
• Nicholas Payton - sideman (various projects) [post-NY move]
• Jeremy Pelt - sideman (various projects) [post-NY move]
• Benny Golson - sideman stint (touring projects) [2006-2016]
• Vicente Archer - frequent bassist in leader trios (all 7 leader recordings including Travelogue) [2006-present]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia