Danny Grissett Trio

Danny Grissett is a pianist and composer of rare elegance, known for his ability to combine technical brilliance with a deep, soulful touch. Born in Los Angeles, he has been a leading presence on the international jazz scene for more than twenty years. During his years in New York, he quickly established himself as a first-call sideman, collaborating with major figures in jazz such as Vincent Herring, Nicholas Payton, Jeremy Pelt, Benny Golson, Russell Malone and Vanessa Rubin.

His long-standing collaboration with legendary trumpeter Tom Harrell, spanning more than fifteen years, saw him participate in seven of Harrell’s last thirteen albums. Through these artistic and recording experiences, Grissett has solidified his reputation as an interpreter and improviser of the highest level, capable of naturally blending modern innovation with the depth of the jazz tradition.

His career as a leader began in 2006 with Promise, his acclaimed debut for the Criss Cross Jazz label. Critics greeted the album with great enthusiasm: All About Jazz described it as “one of the best debuts heard in recent years”, while AllMusic praised his “effortless brilliance”, naming him “one of the top three young pianists on the contemporary scene”.

Over the following decade, Grissett released six further albums, alternating trio projects with an intense activity as a sideman alongside legends and leading figures of contemporary jazz such as Louis Hayes, Lenny White, Buster Williams, Lage Lund, Marcus Strickland and Jimmy Greene.

His album Remembrance (Savant Records, 2017) received four stars from DownBeat Magazine. His most recent release, Travelogue (Savant, 2025), has been hailed as one of the high points of his career, praised for its “melodic clarity”, “impressionistic beauty” and “elegant balance between lyricism and precision”. Reviews in All About Jazz, The Jazz Word and Jazz Weekly celebrate the trio’s intense interplay and the refinement of his writing. With Travelogue, Grissett confirms his role as one of the most distinctive pianists and composers on the contemporary jazz landscape, able to unite expressive warmth with a sophisticated modern vision.

Program and cast