Rayford Griffin

Rayford Griffin (b. Indianapolis, February 6, 1958 – ) – Drummer, singer, and composer. While a student at Shortridge High School, drummer Rayford Griffin, who is the nephew of legendary trumpeter Clifford Brown, played with Tarnished Silver, an Earth Wind and Fire inspired group that included Babyface Edmonds. Following high school, he joined Merging Traffic, which opened for such headliners as saxophonist Grover Washington, Jr., and violinist Jean-Luc Ponty. In the 1980s, he toured with Ponty and recorded six albums with him. During the tours with Ponty, Griffin displayed his skills to large audiences through expert time keeping and electrifying solos. He has also played on recordings of Stanley Clarke and Boyz II Men. Among the headliners he has performed with are Michael Jackson, Anita Baker, the Isley Brothers, Bette Midler, Babyface Edmonds, Bela Fleck, and Manhattan Transfer. Based in California, Griffin recorded a solo CD entitled Rebirth of the Cool, which includes big-name guest artists such as Branford Marsalis.