Justin Griggs
Justin Griggs – Piano, Multi-Instrumentalist
Justin Griggs is a 22-year-old musical force whose talents span piano, organ, drums, bass, guitar, and beyond — but it’s his expressive spirit and cultural depth that set him apart. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Justin was immersed in music from the age of two. His mother, a singer with deep African-Caribbean and Gullah roots, gifted him a toy piano after noticing his uncanny ability to play songs by ear — including Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata — inspired by Baby Einstein videos. That early moment earned him his nickname and set the stage for a life shaped by sound.
Self-taught and driven by instinct, Justin began playing in church and quickly developed a reputation for being able to pick up and reimagine any tune he heard. He went on to train at the Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts and CAPA High School, but his musical growth has always been guided by his ears, his roots, and his boundless curiosity.
His influences range from Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles to Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, Nina Simone, and Chick Corea, blending jazz, R&B, gospel, soul, Caribbean rhythms, and ancestral spirit into every note he plays. His sound is vibrant, unpredictable, and deeply personal — a reflection of a family legacy that stretches from Jamaica and Barbados to Puerto Rico, Louisiana, and the Gullah-Geechee islands.
A composer and arranger at heart, Justin is constantly writing, reimagining, and evolving. His resume already includes two appearances at the Roots Picnic, international performances in France at venues like Sunset Sunside, and a recent spotlight at the Pittsburgh Jazz Festival. His mission is clear: to be the best version of himself — musically and personally — while spreading love, culture, and kindness through the universal language of sound.
As a proud member of The New Philly Sound 2025, Justin sees himself as a continuation of Philly’s rich musical legacy and a protector of its future. For him, The Heart of Jazz is about lifting up the next generation and using music to inspire transformation — for communities, for listeners, and for life itself.
“Jazz is twist and turns — but once you get used to the terms, you realize that’s life.”