Brent Griffin, Jr.

Bitter Jester Music Festival Judge

A native of Gurnee and a graduate of Warren Township High School, Brent Griffin, Jr. first arrived on the Chicago music scene in 2011 when he began his music education studies at DePaul University and began to tap into the city’s music scene to further his own personal development

He wasted no time getting involved, cutting his teeth with different musicians in various musical contexts to gain valuable experience. Along the way he landed the role of alto saxophonist in J-Livi and The Party. He crossed paths with J-Livi several years ago and has been regularly working with him ever since. Their biggest claim to fame collaboration is playing together in the house band for the Chicago Gospel Awards.

Brent currently teaches at Stevenson High School (alongside BJMF Director of Education Michael Tseitlin) as well as at the Griffin Institute of Performing Arts (no relation) and Midwest Young Artist Conservatory.

In 2016 Brent was a Luminarts Fellow in Jazz Improvisation. The Luminarts Cultural Foundation cultivates Chicago’s vibrant arts community by supporting exemplary young artists through its competitive programs that offer financial awards, artistic opportunities, and mentoring that bridge the gap between education and career. 

“I teach sax lessons to students of all levels. Artists and Producers! Need horns? I’m your guy.”

- Brent Griffin, Jr.

He is devoted to using his experiences and sharing the knowledge that was passed to him to all of his students. Brent is excited to join a Bitter Jester judging panel for the first time this summer and share that knowledge in a different way with the BJMF musicians at Port Clinton!