Drummer Andrew Griffith
was born in Dallas and is an alumnus of Booker T. Washington HSPVA. After high school, he enrolled in the internationally-renowned jazz program at the University of North Texas, alumni of which include Shelley Carrol, Warren Sneed and Dr. Robert Morgan. Andrew began gigging professionally while still in high school, and, after North Texas, settled in the DFW area to become one of the most “go-to” drummers in north Texas. While at North Texas, he was chosen to perform with Wynton Marsalis, Red Rodney, Doc Cheatham, Houston Person, Bucky Pizzarelli and others. Griffith graduated from UNT in 1996.
Andrew Griffith currently teaches drummers at Booker T. Washington HSPVA. He is also a popular clinician for universities and professional conferences. In 2004, Griffith was chosen as “Sammons Jazz Artist of the Year,” the most prestigious award possible for a DFW area jazz musician.
A short list of some of the international jazz stars who have chosen Griffith for their drum chair: Monty Alexander; Cyrus Chestnut; Joey DeFrancesco; Duke Ellington Orchestra; Wycliffe Gordon; Jack McDuff; Steve Nelson; David “Fathead” Newman; Roseanna Vitro; Cedar Walton. Most notably, Andrew was the last drummer for the great “Texas Tenor,” Marchel Ivery, who passed away suddenly in 2007.
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