Jazz trumpeter, born in Binghamton, NY on October 31, 1915. In 1936, Chris Griffin joined
Benny Goodman And His Orchestra. Together with
Harry James and
Ziggy Elman, Duke Ellington called them "the greatest trumpet section that ever was." In 1939, he left Goodman's band.
Chris Griffin played on CBS radio in New York and the soundtrack for Hollywood movie,
The Benny Goodman Story. During the 1950s, Chris was also playing on TV. One of his greatest achievements was creating the trumpet obligato on the theme for the
Jackie Gleason Show. He recorded with many popular singers of the day including
Ella Fitzgerald,
Billie Holiday,
Mel Tormé, and
Frank Sinatra.
Chris Griffin died on June 18, 2005.