Justin Grinnell

Justin Grinnell is a San Diego-based freelance jazz bassist and music educator. Justin frequently performs with his own groups and as a sideman. He can be heard performing his own compositions and arrangements on his 2013 debut album, Without You. The album features Justin alongside tenor saxophonist Robby Marshall, pianist Josh Nelson, and drummer Dan Schnelle. Justin is a long- standing member of the Danny Green Trio, a melodic and nimble piano trio featuring Green's original compositions and his creative combination of Modern Jazz, Brazilian Jazz, and Classical influences. Since its inception in 2008, the trio has released five albums: With You In Mind (2009), A Thousand Ways Home (2012), After The Calm (2014), Altered Narratives (2016), and One Day It Will (2018). In addition to performing, Justin maintains an active teaching schedule as adjunct faculty at University of San Diego and Grossmont College, and as faculty for the Jazz 88.3-House of Blues- Francis Parker Annual Summer Jazz Workshop. He also frequently serves as an adjudicator and clinician at local jazz festivals. Justin received his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Jazz Performance from San Diego State University while studying with bassists Gunnar Biggs and Bert Turetzky. [www.justingrinnell.com]

Peter Sprague: Guinnevere

Read "Guinnevere" reviewed by Jim Trageser

by Jim Trageser
September 15, 2026

Peter Sprague, the San Diego-based guitarist who has gigged with everyone from Chick Corea to Hubert Laws, Charles McPherson to Dianne Reeves, seems to be accelerating his recording output of late. He is averaging more than two albums a year as leader the past half-decade, plus guest appearances on numerous others. And all of this is on top of his work running his own studio and small record label, SBE ("Striving to Break Even") plus a busy performance schedule.

Album Review

LP And The Vinyl: Heard And Seen

Read "Heard And Seen" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan

by Dan McClenaghan
May 11, 2020

Vocalist Leonard Patton can be heard and seen often in the San Diego County, California area, making his joyful noise. Often, he appears in the company of the Danny Green Trio, one of the jazz world's premier piano trios. The live shows are exhilarating affairs, with Patton--covering everything from Stevie Wonder to Michael Jackson to David Bowie to the Great American Songbook--displaying a seemingly effortless ability to put a song across with a bursting-with-life elan. On Heard and ...