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Chris Bergson

With MOJO Magazine's #1 Blues Album of 2008, Fall Changes, and #2 Blues Album of 2011, Imitate the Sun, New York guitarist/singer Chris Bergson has established himself as "one of the most inventive songwriters in modern blues music." (Richard Skelly, All Music Guide), creating his own blend of blues, roots and soul. Chris Bergson has performed and/or shared the stage with Hubert Sumlin, Levon Helm, Norah Jones, John Hammond, Little Sammy Davis, Etta James, Bettye LaVette, Annie Ross, Al Foster, and Matt Wilson, to name just a few.

"Bergson is the real deal...reminiscent of The Band at their best...high octane funk...wonderful stuff indeed!" Blues In The Northwest

"Gut-busting, horn-bedecked NY blues." "A powerful spirit with flavours of Ray Charles and Tom Waits... These guys could strip down the engine of a soulbluesmobile and put it back together blindfold." "The ambience of Chris Bergson's music is an Edward Hopper world of suspicion and solitude, dusk-time avenues and dimly lit bars...This is the terrain of Tom Waits and Lou Reed, and Bergson has something of each in his gruff, laconic delivery, but his sound is intransigently his own." MOJO

"Outstanding. Deeply soulful vocals and dynamic fretwork." Blues In Britain

"Bergson's stirring voice and glorious guitar command immediate attention." "Chris Bergson writes memorable songs, sings them with passion, and plays such a mean guitar that the great Hubert Sumlin has been known to sit in at his gigs." Blues Revue

"Upon first hearing guitar man Chris Bergson and his gravely southern drawl, which is a combination of Levon Helm and Gregg Allman, you can hardly believe this guy is from New York City. Imitate the Sun displays an artist dedicated to bringing blues and classic R&B into the future while honoring the past." No Depression.com

"...satisfying blue-eyed soul, sad bastard storytelling, and tasty ensemble textures - where Bergson's voice, then guitar, prove to be both wise leaders, and worthy centers of attention…Bergson's lower-pitched tenor tends to emphasize taste and ornament over range, and his semi-hollow Gibson tones put him between the late Little Milton and Warren Haynes's current sound du jour..." Jambands.com

"Seriously street-smart songwriting and Allman-esque vocal prowess..." Gibson.com

"Chris Bergson plays the kind of guitar you can build a house on - it's B.B. meets Steve Cropper meets John Scofield." ROLL Magazine

"No-one else making music in the modern world invokes the spirit of The Band like he does..." "...drawing intuitively and seamlessly from blues, country, folk, funk, soul and jazz, Bergson has the kind of voice that can be sepia-tinted, whiskey soaked or nicotine stained to fit the requisite style and mood, standing alongside Gregg Allman, Dr. John, Van Morrison and Danko/Helm." Leicester Bangs

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129
Album Review

Chris Bergson Band: Another Day

Read "Another Day" reviewed by Jim Santella


Jazz and blues come together on Chris Bergson's latest release, Another Day, which features the expressive singer/guitarist in a set of originals that come from deep within himself. American folk music remains his core element as Bergson surrounds his messages with earthy blues hues and refreshing jazz overtones.

His band provides a hearty aura that allows the leader to explore various textures in comfortable settings. Bergson's enthusiasm pours forth with a message that ranges from James Brown to ...

121
Album Review

Chris Bergson: Blues

Read "Blues" reviewed by Jim Santella


Recorded live at New York's Smoke jazz club, this brief session digs deeps into the heart and soul of the blues. Chris Bergson sings ‘em the way he feels ‘em.

By answering each of his vocal phrases with pliant guitar licks, the artist is able to interpret each tale of woe with double barrels. His resounding voice hands over deep feelings of anguish and misery, while his guitar answers with a knowing pattern of hope. ...

150
Album Review

Chris Bergson: Wait For Spring

Read "Wait For Spring" reviewed by Jim Santella


His crisp, sparkling guitar technique gives Chris Bergson a leg up on the competition. Working in New York City could easily become a cat and mouse game of stretching yourself to be like the next guy. Instead, Bergson retains his innate lyricism and respect for blues tradition in a sizzling, straight-ahead affair. As with his first CD, this one reveals cohesive trio partnerships in a relaxed setting. The young lion leads with impressive chops. Six original songs and a handful ...

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134

Performance / Tour

Chris Bergson Band at Jazz Standard on March 17

Chris Bergson Band at Jazz Standard on March 17

Source: Michael Ricci

Chris Bergson Band at the Jazz Standard on Wednesday, March 17 at 7:30 and 9:30 PM

$20 Cover (no minimum) 116 East 27th St. (between Park and Lexington Aves.) NYC Nearest Subway: 6 Train to 28th St. 212-576-2232 jazzstandard.com

Chris Bergson - guitar, vocals Jay Collins - tenor sax, backing vocals Dave Keyes - piano, B3 organ Byron Isaacs - bass Tony Leone - ...

83

Recording

The Chris Bergson Band "Fall Changes" Set for Release October 1

The Chris Bergson Band "Fall Changes" Set for Release October 1

Source: Boyd Tamney Cross Public Relations

New York City--The Chris Bergson Band announces the release of their second CD Fall Changes [2 Shirts Records], with a street date set for October 1, 2007. Recorded at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, NY and produced by guitarist/singer/songwriter Chris Bergson and award winning Blues journalist Dave Rubin (Johnny Winter, Cornell Dupree), Fall Changes showcases the band's personal blend of contemporary Americana, highlighting Bergson's honest storytelling, soulful vocals and the first class musicianship of a true working band. Replete with ...

134

Performance / Tour

The Chris Bergson Organ Trio- every Thursday at SMOKE JAZZ CLUB, NYC

The Chris Bergson Organ Trio- every Thursday at SMOKE JAZZ CLUB, NYC

Source: All About Jazz

New weekly jazz gig in New York City

Announcing the CHRIS BERGSON ORGAN TRIO at SMOKE JAZZ CLUB every THURSDAY for “Happy Hammond Hour", 6 pm until 8:30 pm -every THURSDAY; NO COVER, Cheap Drinks Chris Bergson- Guitar, Vocals Brian Charette- Hammond B-3 Organ Sunny Jain- Drums

SMOKE is located at 2751 Broadway at West 106th in New York City Phone number is (212) 864-6662 Nearest Subway: take the 1 train to 103rd Street. For more details please visit www.smokejazz.com ...

"Bergson is the real deal...reminiscent of The Band at their best...high octane funk...wonderful stuff indeed!" Blues In The Northwest

"Gut-busting, horn-bedecked NY blues." "A powerful spirit with flavours of Ray Charles and Tom Waits... These guys could strip down the engine of a soulbluesmobile and put it back together blindfold." "The ambience of Chris Bergson's music is an Edward Hopper world of suspicion and solitude, dusk-time avenues and dimly lit bars...This is the terrain of Tom Waits and Lou Reed, and Bergson has something of each in his gruff, laconic delivery, but his sound is intransigently his own." MOJO

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Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Fall Changes

2 Shirts Records
2007

buy

Another Day

2 Shirts Records
2005

buy

Blues

Unknown label
2004

buy

Wait For Spring

Juniper Records
2001

buy

Up In Buffalo

From: Another Day
By Chris Bergson

Sanctuary

From: Fall Changes
By Chris Bergson

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