Chris’ Blues are multi-spectral, rolling from stinging slide guitar to deft rag-time; from the Southern styles of Mississippi John Hurt, Robert Johnson, Blind Willie McTell all the way up that big river to the Blues of Chicago. Muddy Waters, Elmore James… Throw in the Piedmont Blues of people like Blind Boy Fuller and Brownie McGhee, and you have a masterful concoction of influences. For dessert, throw in some scat-singing, vocal trombone, and some 12-String guitar instrumentals that will make your spirit soar. Chris is also well known for his sparkling interpretive skills, bringing songs from across a broad spectrum to spice up an already simmering, soulful pot of music.
Chris plays on a 1933 National Duolian, and 6 and 12-String guitars. He has shared the stage with many performers of national stature over the years, and in 1998 and 2001 was a featured performer at the Champlain Valley Folk Festival. In 2002, he appeared at the Montreux Jazz Festival with Bob Stannard.Chris has six recordings to his credit, and his last 2 solo projects are now compiled on the CD, “Northern Blue.” Two newer CDs of Country Blues with Malkum Gibson, were released in 1999 and 2001, along with “Made in Vermont” with Bob Stannard in 2004.
With the constant hype of the music world, Chris provides a unique opportunity to see and hear the real thing; an artist of high energy and gritty musical performance, who’s been matched up to perform in shows with musicians such as B.B. King, Buddy Guy,Taj Mahal, Chris Smither, Susan Tedeschi, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Rory Block, John Hammond, Koko Taylor, George Thorogood, Johnny Winter, Leon Redbone, David Bromberg,…the list goes on and on.
“A rare acoustic artist…Music made with a spontaneity of expression transcending convenient categories.”
-Sweet Potato
“An edge-of-your-seat joyride through the blues in all its varied shades.”
~Chris Jones -Middle Earth Music Hall
“This guy is marvelous”
“Bad-ass guitar!”
~B. B. King
“An Acoustic Genius! Vermont’s Blues Guitar Wizard…”
~The Message, Chester VT
“…a real feel for the blues”
~Variety Magazine
“His performance was so intimate it was like a family gathering”
~Valley Advocate, Hartford, CT
“He makes instant fans of his audience”
~Valley News