justin grinnell : bass
Justin Grinnell is a San Diego-based freelance musician and music educator. A versatile acoustic and electric bassist, Justin is comfortable performing a wide variety of musical styles such as jazz, latin, funk, rock, pop, musical theater, and classical.
In May 2005, Justin received his Master's Degree in Jazz Performance from San Diego State University. While attending SDSU on a full scholarship, he had the opportunity to travel, perform, and teach in South and Central America as a member of two faculty-student jazz groups. At this time, Justin studied privately with internationally acclaimed acoustic bass soloist, Bert Turetzky.
After receiving his Master's degree in Jazz Performance from SDSU, Justin was accepted into the Henry Mancini Institute's 2005 Summer Education Program on a full scholarship. HMI provided Justin with the opportunity to work with one of Los Angeles' premiere session bassists, Nathan East, as well as Billy Childs, Dave Liebman, Christian McBride, and Vince Mendoza.
Justin is currently performing and composing for several jazz-influenced groups. In addition to leading his own jazz quartet, Justin is also a member of the Brazilian-inspired Danny Green Quartet who recently won the 2009 San Diego Music Award for Best Jazz Album for their debut CD, "With You In Mind." Justin is also a member of the ARC Trio, a creative collaboration stretching the boundaries of modern jazz. Additionally, Justin performs in downtown San Diego every Friday night in Croce's Jazz Bar with the Latin-rock-jazz sextet, Yavaz.
Although Justin is often performing in familiar San Diego jazz hotspots, he is also no stranger to San Diego's best-known theaters: the Civic Theatre, the Old Globe, Spreckels, and the La Jolla Playhouse. Justin has spent a lot of time at these venues as a pit orchestra member for a number of Tony Award-winning musicals, such as A Chorus Line, Avenue Q, The Drowsy Chaperone, Spamalot, Grease, and The Color Purple.
Justin is also a dedicated music educator. In addition to teaching at Grossmont and Southwestern Colleges, he also teaches several private bass students.
Justin recently began his doctoral studies at the University of Southern California. Besides studying privately with Los Angeles' first-call jazz bassist, Darek Oles, Justin's enrollment at USC has already given him the opportunity to perform with internationally-recognized jazz artists Peter Erskine, Bob Mintzer, and Alan Pasqua.
Justin is a member of the San Diego Music Union, American Federation of Musicians, Local 325.