Dan Grissom was an influential American rhythm-and-blues and jazz singer, clarinetist, and saxophonist, born around 1910 and passing away in March 1963 in Los Angeles. He is best remembered for his role as a band singer with the Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra, joining the ensemble in 1936 and remaining until the early 1940s. Grissom's vocal style was characterized by a "pinched tone with heavy vibrato," and he was known for his soft, crooning style, which was a departure from the more vigorous swing vocalists of the time.

During his tenure with the Lunceford Orchestra, Grissom contributed to several hits, including "(This Is) My Last Affair" (1937) and "I'm Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town" (1941). His favored song was the Sy Oliver arrangement of "By the River Sainte Marie." After leaving Lunceford in 1943, Grissom recorded for various small West Coast labels and had a mid-1940s hit with "Poor Butterfly," accompanied by the Flennoy Trio.

In the 1950s, Grissom briefly joined the Duke Ellington Orchestra, recording a version of Ellington's "Love (My Everything)." He also achieved chart success with "Recess in Heaven" as Dan Grissom & the Ebb Tones. Despite his contributions to jazz and rhythm-and-blues, Grissom was not widely celebrated among jazz enthusiasts, earning the nickname "Dan Gruesome" during his time with Lunceford. Nonetheless, his work left a lasting impression, influencing artists such as Johnny Mathis.