Griffin Woodard

Griffin Woodard is a composer, bass clarinetist, and bandleader who believes in the transformative power of music.

As an instrumentalist, Woodard’s primary focus is playing the bass clarinet in a jazz context. He has dedicated years of study to acquiring an in-depth understanding of the rich historical lineage of jazz clarinetists and bass clarinetists from Johnny Dodds to Eric Dolphy.

He hopes to honor the profound contributions of the masters by pushing his instrument to new frontiers of personal expression.

Woodard’s compositions have been performed by a variety of esteemed ensembles and soloists, including the New England Conservatory Jazz Composers’ Workshop Orchestra, the Bach Festival Orchestra of Bethlehem, the Allentown Symphony Orchestra, concert pianist Michelle Cann, and organist Stephen Williams. In 2022, Woodard was awarded the ASCAP Foundation Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award for his piece, “Kyrie”.

From 2022-2023, Woodard released four albums including Live at the Deer Head Inn, Completion, Interpretation, and Precious One. His quartet and quintets have performed at the Deer Head Inn, Maureen’s Jazz Cellar, Wandering Barman, Jazz On Main, The Lafayette Bar, Oberlin College, and Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts, among many other venues.

Awards

2022 ASCAP Foundation Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award for “Kyrie”

Gear

-Buffet Crampon Greenline Low C Bass Clarinet

-Syos Shabaka Hutchings bass clarinet mouthpiece

-Rovner ligature

-Vandoren V12 Reeds, 3

Tags

Griffin Woodard bass clarinet Composer/arranger jazz spiritual jazz

“Just like a jewelry box, all songs are shining and gorgeous.” - Hiroshi Yamazaki

“Meeting Griffin Woodard, a fine gentleman and exciting musician, I'm thrilled to be associated with his music as he continues his climb toward perfection.” - Gene Perla

“Really impressive playing. Today’s language on the bass clarinet.” - Jerry Bergonzi

“Griffin Woodard is one of the most gifted instrumentalists that’s come through my studio in some time. Not only is he a very lyrical and soulful player, but his composition technique is way beyond his years. I look for many great things in years to come for Griffin.” - Dave Darlington, GRAMMY Award Winning Engineer

Primary Instrument

Clarinet, bass

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Credentials/Background

B.M. in Jazz Studies with a Composition Concentration - Oberlin Conservatory of Music

M.M. in Jazz Composition - New England Conservatory of Music

Experience teaching students ages 5-77 in the following subjects: piano, clarinet, bass clarinet, saxophone, music composition, music theory, jazz big band arranging, and more.