Art Grider

I play an Andreas Eastman 52nd St tenor sax and an AKAI4000S electronic wind instrument, and have enjoyed playing in various church bands across the USA . Performances in the Athens, GA, area include Emmanuel College (Royston, GA), the Blue Sky Concert Series on College Square (Athens, GA), at Borders Bookstore (Athens, GA), at FARM 255 Restaurant and Bar (Athens, GA), Athentic Brewery (Athens, GA), the Depot by Four Brothers (Hoschton, GA), Wire Park (Watkinsville, GA). I also perform solo for the Goodness Grows Nursery (Lexington, GA), Athens Country Club, the Oconee Farmers Market, and several Athens/Watkinsville area restaurants. I am currently a member of the RIFFNOTES Jazz Sextet (formally known as the Root Groove Quintet).

My major musical influences are Stan Getz, Joe Henderson, Dexter Gordon, Charlie Parker, and John Coltrane. I retired from the Department of Nutritional Sciences at UGA, and used my music as inspiration for my biochemical research and teaching. (CHECK OUT MY NUTRITIONAL BIOCHEMISTRY VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/@agns7475)

 (Michael Andrews- Flagpole, "...(he) knows his abstract jazz and tightly-wound funk like big carbon knows the two little oxygens, gloriously extended notes and all." ).

My debut album, ORIGINAL WORKS OF ART (2005), is best described in one word - BLUESIFUSIFUNKABOSSABALLADACIOUS!! All of the songs on this album are original compositions, and reflect my eclectic jazzified/funkified nature. The song styles range from funk to fusion with several straight ahead styles included. Anchored by a strong rhythm section (bass-Chris Enghauser, drums-Chris Hood, keyboards-Tracy Reynolds) the album erupts into a smorgasbord of delicious sounds and delectable rhythms sure to make you smile and help carry you through the day. Greg Clinton (guitar, flute) provides awesome comping and solo work. Pat Strawser adds to the mix with some smooth organ comping as well. And as if this isn't enough, Michael Westbrook and Pat elevate the spirit of this album to new heights with their own compositions (Michael - Westbrook Shuffle; Pat - Sea of Dreams). Michael also takes over the guitar responsibilities in his composition while Greg switches to flute. The result - AMAZING!!! Produced by Chris Combs and Pat Strawser. Recorded at Ground Flood Studios, Statham, GA.