University of St. Thomas

Joan Griffith is known in the Midwest as a teacher, performer and composer. She has toured and recorded extensively  as a classical and jazz guitarist, a bassist and a mandolinist. The 2011 CD “A Girl Named Vincent” with Prudence Johnson, the 2008 jazz CD, “Sambanova” with pianist Laura Caviani, her 2009 CD “Alma Brasileira” with recorder player Clea Galhano  and CD “Enter You, Enter Love,” with Lucia Newell feature many of her own compositions. Enter You, Enter Love” was chosen as one of the top ten best recordings for 1996 by jazz radio station KBEM. Her choral composition “Sweet Noel” won the 1998 Christmas Carol Contest sponsored by the American Composer’s Forum and Vocalessence. Her performances on mandolin include the Minnesota Orchestra‘s  recording of Mahler’s Das Lied  von der Erde and as soloist with the South Dakota Symphony on their premiere recording “Journey to the Badlands”. Her mandolin and bass playing can be heard on the many recording of singer/songwriter Ann Reed. She is teaches jazz improvisation, guitar, bass and mandolin at the University of St. Thomas  and Macalester College. She is also a roster artist in jazz for COMPAS, the Minnesota State Arts Board and Young Audiences.