Meet Graham Griffin

We had the good fortune of connecting with Graham Griffin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Graham, how do you think about risk?
The truth is that I don’t like taking risks. It’s super uncomfortable and scary. But I want to feel alive. And I’ve found out that the choice to live requires the choice to take risks. So I take risks because of the life that might be on the other side. To choose to live and take risks is such a great choice, but it is also what thing that leaves me vulnerable to failure. That’s such a scary word! Looking forward, taking a risk is the scariest thing, but looking backward they are the very thing that has moved me forward. So what role have they played in my life and career? They’re everything! Looking forward they’re my scariest enemy and looking backward they’re my best friend.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I love people. Music is my key to new cultures, places, and relationships. I started on piano at age 6, discovered jazz in college, and later found gospel music. I always wanted to be a great musician — but I’ll never forget the moment my perspective changed.

I walked into my first jazz jam session, nervous about what others would think of my playing and feeling like I didn’t belong there because of my skill level at the time. But I walked out excited — excited about the new friends I had made and the dream I had discovered. Music became about people. It became about community.

I think that’s actually what sets me apart. I have a drive for greatness and a desire to be the best in any room I walk into — and I see my gift as a chance to serve other people. I combine musical mastery and meaningful relational connection.

How I arrived at where I am today as an artist has everything to do with the people I’ve met along the way. That story has to start with my relationship with the greatest creative and genius of all, Jesus, who I started following when I was young. I was classically trained for 14 years, four of those with the remarkable Dr. Mary Chung. I fell in love with jazz during university and studied with the legendary Dr. Justin Pierce, drawing great inspiration from Adam Ledbetter. I moved to Fort Worth and began my journey into the deep and expansive world of gospel music after discovering artists like Shaun Martin and Caleb Sean.

In 2023, I moved to Madrid, Spain and learned the genres of salsa and malanga from the sonic architect Claudio Bruzzese until I returned to DFW this year. Of all the stages I’ve played on and the exhilarating moments of musical creativity I’ve experienced with bands, the thing I’m most proud of is the friendships that have continued long after the concerts ended.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
There is actually so much to do in the DFW area!
If I had a friend visiting for a few days here are a couple of the places we would go or things we would do.
We would:
– Visit Six Flags
– Catch some live music in Deep Ellum
– Spend a morning walking around Bishop Arts District
– Drink Coffee at The Wild Detective
– Go dancing at Billy Bobs
– Listen to more live music at Scatt Jazz Lounge
– End the week watching one the our Dallas teams play football or basketball

My favorite place for live music in Dallas is Deep Ellum and in Fort Worth is Scatt Jazz Lounge. There’s always something going on to check out!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Speaker, author, and creative – Erwin McManus. A lot of the way I think about communication and life has come from his teachings.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insta_graham_11/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/graham.griffin.963

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@grahamgriffin6582

Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4K02gY4vpF7ib7Frofp3Cl?si=-l_KUBWBQpCEWRuwZe39Qw

Image Credits
Photographers:
1. Amanda Williams – @mandabellee
2. Deanna Marie – @deannamariephotos