Justin Grinnell

Justin Grinnell is a San Diego-based jazz bassist and music educator. He works regularly on acoustic and electric bass as a leader and sideman and has been active in jazz, orchestral, and musical theatre settings for over 20 years.

Grinnell is equally committed to music education. As well as being an Instructor at YLJC, he serves as Adjunct Professor of Music at the University of San Diego, where he directs the Jazz Ensemble and teaches applied bass, and small-group performance. He has taught for over two decades at Grossmont College, offering courses in music theory, aural skills, jazz history, and performance. Beyond the classroom, he is a frequent clinician, adjudicator, and ensemble director for festivals and music programs throughout California.

Grinnell holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Jazz Performance from San Diego State University and completed doctoral coursework (ABD) in Jazz Studies at the University of Southern California, where he studied with Peter Erskine, Bob Mintzer, Russell Ferrante, Alan Pasqua, and Darek Oles.