Chris Standring is a British jazz guitarist known for his heavy use of 1970s-style musical nuances. In an illustrious career that stretches back over the last 25 years, Chris has earned a reputation as one of the world’s most virtuosic guitarists, with considerable radio and chart success. And with a prolific catalogue of sixteen solo albums, Standring continues to push the boundaries of the format with every new album he releases.

Born in 1960, Chris leaned heavily into the 1070s style guitar sound. Before launching his solo career with his 1998 album Velvet, he represented a third of the band Solar System, a band that combined elements of jazz and hip-hop.
Hip Sway was released in 2000. Groovalicious followed in 2003, then Soul Express in 2006. Love & Paragraphs (2008) spawned the title track hit radio single.

Critically acclaimed 2010 release Blue Bolero spawned the hit single “Bossa Blue” which was named Billboard Contemporary Jazz Track of the Year, and stayed at #1 on radio across the US for nine consecutive weeks.

His next two releases, 2012’s Electric Wonderland and 2014’s Don’t Talk Dance both saw singles hit #1 on the Billboard chart.

Ten released 2016 and Sunlight released 2018 saw Chris adopting a deeper harmonic vocabulary on top of soulful funky beats. This direction well received, his 2020 release Real Life saw two more Billboard #1 singles.

In 2018 Chris recorded “Live In London” at Cadogan Hall in Chelsea, UK. The album featured a string orchestra, rhythm section and special guest Mica Paris. The album was filmed and can now be seen on Youtube.

Breaking his perception as a ‘pop’ jazz artist. Chris released an ambitious orchestral/trio project in 2021 entitled Wonderful World, to rave reviews worldwide. This, his 13th studio album, finds him demonstrating the very peak of his powers. With a set of sublime orchestral arrangements by Geoff Gascoyne recorded at Abbey Road studios in London, featuring many notable jazz superstars, he manages to breathe fresh life into these magical, ageless great American songbook songs, somehow making them sound both old and new at the same time.

In March 2021, Chris found himself in the emergency room after experiencing chest pains. He was just 60 years old, kept trim, ate well, exercised, and never smoked. It was a complete shock. Standring relates in a 2022 interview with The Urban Music Scene, “To suddenly come face to face with my own mortality made me think about what is really important to me and how I want to live out my third act. Ultimately the answer came down to a just few basic things – spending time with loved ones, being present in the moment, and doing things with joy. Indeed, the theme of this album is joy, positivity, hope, and, because I’m a sucker for a beautiful melody, a little sadness as well.”

On His following release, Simple Things, Standring reflects on a new awareness of the fragility of life. That album gave us the #1 radio hit ‘Change The World’.
In 2023, Chris offered up the super chilled out Lovers Remix Collection, a set of Chris’ most popular songs remixed and brought up to date. He shared that album with Middle C for his release party last July.

Standring steps into 2024 with ‘As We Think’, an upbeat eleven song super soulful workout with exotic arrangements, dazzling solos, all wrapped up in Chris’ inimitable contemporary jazz style. “Much like everything Standring does ‘As We Think’ is crammed full of innovation….classic Standring and then some…Even at this early stage it promises to be one of the best contemporary jazz albums of 2024. – Smooth Jazz Therapy

Chris Standring continues to tour the USA and Europe, and we are thrilled to have him back for another night of his signature contemporary urban jazz.

For more about Chris Standring:
WATCH
WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
A special message from Chris Standring.