February 20 1929 July 24 2019
Al as he was known by was a professional musician (drummer) for most of his adult life, playing in the Asbury drum and bugle corp when he was 15 started his life in music. In his early 20s, Al trained in NYC with the world famous Cozy Cole & Gene Krupa at their music studio just before he started his career on the road touring and playing with Dinah Washington, Eddie Chamblee, Henry “Red” Allen, Bob Crosby, Paul Anka, Dayton Selby, Milt Buckner, Billy Eckstine, Illinois Jacquet, Timmy Rogers, Redd Foxx, The Nat King Cole Show, The Sammy Davis Jr. Show, just to name a few, he was also part of the house band (drummer) for then Heavyweight Champion Sugar Ray Robinson at his club in Harlem “Sugar Rays”. His drums took him around the world to Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, Guam, Thailand, Australia, Bermuda, the Philippines, and all around the United States Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Al came off the road in 1975 to help his father and eventually take over Griffin’s Cleaners until his retirement in 2009. Al used to joke that he didn’t lift anything heavier than his drums. Al is predeceased by his Father, William Sr., his mother, Naomi, and four sisters, Quinetta, Rose, Zenobia, Twyler and also a son, Horace. Surviving Al are his son Keith, a daughter Sheela, 3 grandsons Tahj, Avry and Christopher and a great-granddaughter Nyla, also a brother William Jr., and a sister Willie. “U know how u get to Carnegie Hall? Practice my friend Practice” Al Griffin The family has requested not to have any services public To send a memorial gift to the family of Mr. Alford A. Griffin please visit our Sympathy Store.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Alford A Griffin February 20 1929 July 24 2019.
Death notice for the town of: Neptune, state: New Jersey