Pete Griffin achieves symbiosis with the bass while performing. A wide variety of musical tastes leads to an original style and the ability to shift effortlessly through a broad range of techniques and sounds. Griffin possesses the rare ability to enhance the vision of others across genres, yet maintains the capacity to stay true to his own personal, musical dream. This is no surprise, considering the wealth of experience he has with music. One thing is certain, Pete Griffin is married to his bass, and a love of music has been a constant in his life.
Griffin grew up outside of New York and has been playing music since he was young. He began on the trumpet during elementary school, but it wasn't until he received his first bass in the seventh grade that his passion was fully ignited. Soon he was playing with his high school's jazz band, and then eventually his local All-County and All-State jazz bands.
Unfortunately, tragedy would compel Griffin to make music his life's calling. In 1996, Griffin's friend and teacher, Dan Binggeli, died at the age of nineteen. For a time, Pete's only comfort was in playing music. Soon, Griffin was asked to join Uncle Funkle, Binggeli's band, and he decided to seize the chance for a life in music Binggeli never had.
To help guide his new found sense of direction, Griffin chose to further study his craft. He was accepted to Northwestern University's well-known School of Music outside of Chicago. There he was deeply immersed in the study of jazz and classical, while also taking lessons under Steve Rodby of the influential jazz group The Pat Metheny Group. From him, Griffin learned to concentrate on playing less notes and making them count more.
Graduating in 2001 with a B.A. in Music, Griffin immediately moved to Los Angeles. Eventually, he began to work at the Musician's Institute as a teacher's assistant, as well as attending every audition he heard about. After playing a few shows with Save Ferris's Monique Powell, Griffin began to play bass for Hanson in 2003, touring the US and Asia in 2004 and appearing on several TV shows including The Tonight Show, The Today Show, and Good Morning America.
In 2006, Griffin joined Zappa Plays Zappa, getting the chance to play alongside virtuosos such as Dweezil Zappa, Steve Vai, and Terry Bozzio. In 2009 Griffin was awarded a Grammy award for his work with Zappa Plays Zappa, in the category of Best Rock Instrumental.
Pete Griffin still lives in LA when not on tour and teaches both at the Musician's Institute and privately. He started his own band Gryphon Labs with members of Zappa Plays Zappa, and their debut album Modern Mythology features contributions from Paul Barrere, Richie Hayward, and Fred Tackett of the influential Little Feat.
Pete's parakeet Bud likes to look at his reflection in Pete's tuning pegs.
