Johnny Griffin

John Arnold Griffin III was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. Nicknamed "the Little Giant" for his short stature and forceful playing, Griffin's career began in the mid-1940s and continued until the month of his death. A pioneering figure in hard bop, Griffin recorded prolifically as a bandleader in addition to stints with pianist Thelonious Monk, drummer Art Blakey, in partnership with fellow tenor Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis and as a member of the Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland Big Band after he moved to Europe in the 1960s. In 1995, Griffin was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee College of Music.

24 April 1928

Born on the same birth date (24 April 1928): Anahit Perikhanian • Tommy Docherty

Born on the same birth day (24 April): Anahit Perikhanian • Dino Rađa • Eliana Gil • Hanna Melnychenko • Helga Arendt • Ilias Atmatsidis • Josy Barthel • Kumar Dharmasena • Michael O'Keefe • Mumia Abu-Jamal • President of Mexico • Sachin Tendulkar • Shirley MacLaine • Steve Roach (rugby league) • Sue Grafton • Taylor Dent • Véronique Sanson

Born in the same month (April 1928): Azlan Shah of Perak • Carl Gardner • Emmett Johns • Gianni Marzotto • Hardy Krüger • James White (author) • Jean-François Paillard • Jimmy Logan • John Horlock • Joseph Bernardin • Monty Norman • Night Train Lane • Paul Arizin • Serge Gainsbourg • Shirley Temple • Tom Lehrer • Tommy Docherty • Tony Williams (singer) • Yves Klein