Americans celebrate Black History Month during February to honor the contributions of Black Americans. The month transpired from Carter G. Woodson’s idea of Negro History Week, which began in 1926. Black History Month has blossomed 50 years after Negro History Week was established, and today includes local parades, ceremonies and gatherings featuring the work of Black artists, entrepreneurs, politicians and pastors. This year, The Feather will be bringing you stories about local black leaders who have positively impacted Fresno and the Central Valley of California.
Bobby Griffin Jr., a professional guitarist and music educator, specializes in contemporary jazz, gospel and R&B. Growing up, Griffin always listened to various styles of gospel music, including jazz, the blues and soul music. These musical genres inspired him to embark on his musical journey.
Born and raised in Fresno, California, Griffin found his love for music after his father gifted him with his first guitar. Shortly after he began to take lessons and learned how to play gospel and R&B music. Griffin’s role model while learning music was Lawrence Hutspin, a brother in the church who taught him how to play guitar.
“ I learned how to play my guitar in the church,” Griffin said. “I learned my first three chords. And fell in love with the guitar. I ended up playing it professionally.”
After attending Fresno City College where he took several different music classes, Griffin created his band called “Bobby Griffin.” He then became a Minister of Music and started playing for local Fresno churches. Griffin and his band play for these local churches: Mount Zion Assemblies, Westside Church of God and Westside Seventh Day Adventist Church.
His daughter, award-winning journalist and author Chante Griffin, reflects on how her dad always dreamed of being a full-time musician and moving to Los Angeles allowed him to play with some of the best musicians in the world. He’s shared the stage with Stevie Wonder, Al Green, Gladys Knight, Dionne Warwick and Kirk Franklin, to name a few.
“And now that he’s back in Fresno, his hometown, he’s able to display and share what he’s learned,” Chante Griffin said. “He does it all, from gospel to jazz and R&B.”
Bobby Griffin’s most recent single hit, “Samba Heights,” consists of a fresh version of the Brazilian rhythmic style and guitar played by himself. For this smooth jazz hit, he collaborated with Gail Jhonson, a music director and an all-female ensemble, Jazz in Pink. This is his third hit single released, and he plans on making more in the future.
Alongside playing in his band, Griffin teaches young people in the Fresno area and virtually for international students. Griffin finds joy in inspiring his students to learn music.
“I enjoy being able to teach music to those that have never learned how to play and to see their faces light up,” Griffin said.
Griffin encourages his students and young people to chase after their dreams and not to give up. In this way, he is raising up a new generation of inspiring musicians.
To learn more about Bobby Griffin go to bobbygriffinjr.com and his YouTube channel.
For more from The Feather visit, Diego Alas joins staff midyear to teach English and Jeff Atmajian speaks at San Joaquin Town Hall.
