JUSTIN GRINNELL is a San Diego-based freelance jazz bassist and music educator.
Justin frequently performs with his own groups and as a sideman. He is often performing with San Diego's most respected jazz artists, including Christopher Hollyday, Duncan Moore, Leonard Patton, Jim Plank, Richard Sellers, Peter Sprague, Tripp Sprague, and Joshua White.
Justin can be heard performing his own compositions and arrangements on his 2013 debut album, Without You [Click on "music" to hear the album]. The album features Justin on acoustic and electric bass alongside tenor saxophonist Robby Marshall, pianist Josh Nelson, and drummer Dan Schnelle.
Justin is a long-standing member of the Danny Green Trio (with pianist Danny Green and drummer Julien Cantelm), a melodic and nimble piano trio featuring Green's original compositions and his creative combination of Modern Jazz, Brazilian Jazz, and Classical influences [Click on "links" to check out videos of the trio performing]. Since its inception in 2008, the trio has released five albums: With You In Mind (2009), A Thousand Ways Home (2012), After The Calm (2014), Altered Narratives (2016), and One Day It Will (2018).
In addition to performing, Justin maintains an active teaching schedule as adjunct faculty at University of San Diego and Grossmont College, and as faculty for the Jazz 88.3-Francis Parker Annual Summer Jazz Workshop. He also frequently serves as an adjudicator and clinician at local music festivals, such as the Coronado Jazz Festival and the San Diego Bass Fest.
Justin received his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Jazz Performance from San Diego State University while studying with bassists Gunnar Biggs and Bert Turetzky. Justin has also achieved ABD (all but dissertation) status for a doctoral degree in Jazz Studies at the University of Southern California. Besides studying privately with Los Angeles' first-call jazz bassist, Darek Oles, Justin's enrollment at USC has given him the opportunity to study with internationally-recognized jazz artists Peter Erskine, Russ Ferrante, Bob Mintzer, and Alan Pasqua.
Justin Grinnell is a member of the San Diego Music Union, American Federation of Musicians, Local 325.
Selected Discography:
Danny Green Trio Plus Strings One Day It Will
(OA2 Records, 2018)
Danny Green Trio Altered Narratives
(OA2 Records, 2016)
Danny Green Trio After the Calm
(OA2 Records, 2014)
Nathan Hubbard Encinitas and Everything After
(Castor&Pollux Music, 2014)
Dmitri Matheny Quartet Sagebrush Rebellion
(Papillon Recordings, 2014)
Justin Grinnell Quartet Without You
(2013)
Brad Steinwehe Jazz Orchestra Wgasa Jam
(2013)
Ogd_S(11) Translation Has Failed New Encinitas
(Castor & Pollux Music, 2013)
Danny Green Trio A Thousand Ways Home
(Tapestry, 2012)
Ogd_S(11) Translation Has Failed This Middle Ground
(Castor & Pollux Music, 2012)
Danny Green Trio With You In Mind
(Alante Recordings, 2009)
Ogd_S(11) Translation Has Failed Bring Back The Gasmask
(Castor & Pollux Music, 2009)
Brad Steinwehe Jazz Orchestra Nutville
(Sea Breeze Jazz, 2007)
Scott Kyle Quintet Facing East
(SKJ Records, 2007)
Ogd_S(11) Translation Has Failed if memory serves
(Castor & Pollux Music, 2007)
ARC Trio Triptych Mirror
(Circumvention Music, 2006)
Nathan Hubbard (compositions 1998-2005)
(Circumvention Music, 2006)
Nathan Hubbard Skeleton Key Orchestra
(Circumvention Music, 2004)
San Diego State University Jazz Ensemble I Where's My Hasenpfeffer?
(SeaBreeze Vista, 2003)