Steve Griggs

Stephen Reed Griggs (b. NYC, 1960) earned certificates in Narrative Non-Fiction and Arts Management from the University of Washington, a Bachelor of Musical Arts in Saxophone Performance from the University of Illinois, and a Master of Business Administration in Management Information Systems from Pace University.

As a writer, Griggs is a member of the Jazz Journalists Association. His work has been published in the Seattle Times, Seattle Weekly, Earshot Jazz, Raven Chronicles Volume 26, Creative Colloquy Volume 3, Stories of Music Volume 2 (2017 International Book Award), and Rhythm in the Rain: Jazz in the Pacific Northwest. Griggs’ historical research has been mentioned in The John Coltrane Reference and Wild Isle in the City.

Musically, Griggs is an award-winning composer, producer, performer, and publisher with six commercial jazz recordings of his music on his independent, self-produced Hip City Music label. NEA Jazz Master Elvin Jones is featured on two of Griggs’ records. He accepted the Jazz Journalist Association 2021 Best Historical Recording award as Associate Producer on John Coltrane: A Love Supreme Live in Seattle for finding the source tape. His live performances of site-specific programs of social justice stories and original music have twice earned an Adventurous Programming Award by Chamber Music America and ASCAP, and The Seattle Channel broadcast Griggs’ music and narrative program based on the police killing of native carver John T. William on Front Row: Steve Griggs Ensemble present Seeing John T. Williams. Griggs is the featured saxophone soloist on the soundtrack for the Microsoft video game Halo 3: ODST which sold more than 6 million copies worldwide.

Awards

2023    Jack Straw Writers Program

2022    Historical Record of the Year, Jazz Journalists Association for A Love Supreme, Live in Seattle

2017    Seattle Channel broadcast Front Row: Steve Griggs Ensemble presents Seeing John T. Williams

            Jack Straw Foundation Artist Support Program to record Sound in Stone

            $7,200 Arts in Parks contract for 6 performances at Dr. Blanche Lavizzo Park

2016    $4,800 CityArtist Project grant to commission music inspired by police use of force

            $7,500 4Culture Heritage Project Grant to digitize interviews of musicians by Joe Brazil

            Chamber Music America/ASCAP Adventurous Programming of Contemporary Music Award

            Jazz Education Network Jazz2U grant to present Yasuhiro Fujioka at the Royal Room

2015    $14,000 4Culture Historic Site-Specific Grant to create new music inspired by Chief Seattle

            $8,500 4Culture Artist Project Grant to extend performances of Panama Hotel Jazz

            Jack Straw Foundation Artist Support Program to record A Cup of Joe Brazil

2014    $33,000 National Park Service Japanese Confinement Sites Grant to extend Panama Hotel Jazz

            $12,000 Chamber Music America Residency Partnership with the Seattle Public Library

            $3,300 CityArtist Project grant to commission music inspired by James Washington

            $1,000 smART ventures grant to extend Panama Hotel Jazz performances

            Chamber Music America/ASCAP Adventurous Programming of Contemporary Music Award

2013    Jack Straw Foundation Artist Support Program to record oral histories related to Joe Brazil

            Panama Hotel Jazz on Jazz After Hours list of best Northwest CDs

2012    $15,000 4Culture Historic Site-Specific Grant to create music inspired by the Panama Hotel 

2001: Earshot Jazz Voice and Vision Series

2001: Gavin National Jazz Radio Charts for “Steve Griggs Quintet LIVE!” #17 with 56 stations reporting

2001: ASCAPLUS Award 2000: Voice of America radio play for “Jones for Elvin – Volume 2”

2000: ASCAPLUS Award

1999: ASCAPLUS Award

1997: Jack Straw Foundation Artist Assistance Award

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