JOHNNY GRIFFITH (PIANO)
Genres: Soul Jazz, RnB • United States

Pianist Johnny Griffith can be heard on classic Motown sides, as well as on recordings from other Detroit-area labels. Like Motown's other pianists, Joe Hunter and Earl Van Dyke, Griffith's had an extensive musical background. He held musical degrees from Wayne State University and the University of Detroit. His musical influences included Oscar Peterson, Glenn Gould, and Bud Powell. Signed to Motown's Jazz Workshop label, he recorded the albums Detroit Jazz and The Right Side of Lefty Edwards. When the march of the Motown hits began, Griffith started playing on sessions for their R&B/pop acts. But rather than sign a work-for-hire contract with Motown like other musicians, Griffith remained a freelancer, doing other dates and sessions in New York and nearby Chicago. The Motown hits that Griffith played on include: Marvin Gaye's "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" (number four R&B, number six pop, early 1965), his celeste trills read more...