RUTGERS IJS Presents Dick Griffin Big Band

Upcoming Event: RUTGERS IJS Presents Dick Griffin Big Band

Get ready for a powerhouse night of live jazz as the legendary trombonist Dick Griffin brings his full Big Band to Express Newark . Experience soaring brass, deep swing, spiritual grooves, and the unmistakable sound of one of jazz’s most innovative voices. This is big‑band energy at its finest—bold, soulful, and electrifying. Whether you're a lifelong jazz lover or just craving a vibrant night out, this performance delivers the kind of musical magic you feel in your chest. Don’t miss the chance to witness a true master leading an ensemble built to blow the roof off.

The Dick Griffin Big Band is the powerful large‑ensemble project led by trombone master Dick Griffin, one of the most innovative and soulful voices in modern jazz. A veteran of bands led by Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Sun Ra, Charles Mingus, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Tito Puente, and more, Griffin brings a lifetime of musical mastery to the big‑band tradition.

Known for his signature technique “circular phonics”—a fusion of circular breathing and multiphonics—Griffin creates a sound that is bold, spiritual, and unmistakably his own. His Big Band channels the full spectrum of Black American music: deep swing, gospel fire, blues roots, and adventurous improvisation shaped by decades on the world stage.

Featuring top New York musicians and Griffin’s dynamic original arrangements, the Dick Griffin Big Band delivers a high‑energy, soul‑charged experience that honors the past while pushing the music forward. This is big‑band jazz at its most vibrant, expressive, and alive.

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Host or Publisher The Institute of Jazz Studies Rutgers-Newark