Born: August 12, 1978 Primary Instrument: Bass, acoustic
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CHRIS JENNINGS - double bassist
In Paris France since 2002, Canadian bassist CHRIS JENNINGS has established himself as double bassist with guitarist Nguyên Lê in formations such as his New Quartet (with Rita Marcotulli and Roberto Gato/Danny Gottlieb) and the Fragile Beauty project to name a few. Mr. Jennings is also the bassist of the Dhafer Youssef Quartet (with Tigran Hamasyan and Mark Guiliana), renowned Turkish Ney musician Kudsi Erguner Group and the Thomas Enhco piano trio.
After the release in 2011 of his self titled CHRIS JENNINGS QUARTET CD on Promise Land Records, distribution by Codaex France, featuring Manu Codjia (el. gtr), Pierre Perchaud (ac. gtr), Patrick Goraguer (drums), and leading a trio with American drummer Leon Parker for three years, Mr. Jennings has started two new projects alongside the longstanding “JENNINGS/PERCHAUD” acoustic duo which continues to evolve for over seven years now. The first new trio is with Mieko Miyazaki (Japanese koto) and Patrick Goraguer (drums/santour) as well as a trio featuring guitarist/percussionist Kevin Seddiki (guitarist with Al Di Meola) and the young Belgium vocalist revelation Lynn Cassiers.
An international performer, composer, leader, arranger and teacher, playing a wide variety of musical genres and styles on both upright and electric basses Mr. Jennings projects as a sideman include the Jacek Kochan/Dave Liebman Quartet in Eastern Europe and the Lee Konitz/Giovanni Ceccarelli Quartet. He performs as a sideman with Rick Margitza, Paul McCandless, Karim Ziad, Seamus Blake, Marilyn Mazur, Eivind Aarset, Yaron Herman, Terumasa Hino, Kiyohiko Semba, Hüsnu Senlendirici, Andy Milne, Marçin Wasilewski, Satoshi Takeishi, Francis Lassus, Nelson Veras, Mike Murley, Phil Dwyer, Dave Restivo, Bob Brough, ‘El Gusto’ (Algerian Orchestra) to name a few.
Since 1996, Mr. Jennings completed numerous self-study/project residencies at the Banff Centre for the Arts Canada, a Bachelors (B.A.) in Jazz Performance from the University of Toronto, Canada (2000), and a Masters (M.A.) in Music from the Royal Conservatory of the Hague, Holland (2004). Teaching at the Didier Lockwood Music School since 2005 and having taught at the Conservatory of Chelles France for 7 years, he is always actively giving master classes and private teaching alongside pursuing his energy in multicultural and original projects.
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“...le contrebassiste poète Chris Jennings.” Dominique Largeron : Citizen Jazz Nov 2010
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“Le chant de la contrebasse, car à ce niveau de virtuosité on peut parler comme dans le chant lyrique de basse chantante, ce chant donc semble amplifier les notes de la guitare.” Michel Mattias : www.jazz-rhone-aples.com déc 2010
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“Ils sont en effet dans une telle complémentarité que le lien entre eux est presque palpable… Une telle osmose entre les musiciens sans qu’aucun d’entre eux ne disparaisse dans le collectif nous a donné l’impression qu’ensemble ils n’avaient pas de limite.” Michel Mathais chronique pour le CHRIS JENNINGS TRIO (avec Pierre Perchaud et Leon Parker) 2010
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“...following Dhafer Youssef’s ascendant vocals, turns to modal territory - the pianist’s (Tigran Hamasyan) inside/outside playing creating fierce tension and release, bolstered by Canadian bassist Chris Jennings and American drummer Mark Guiliana, who lights a serious fire underneath the group.” John Kelman : All About Jazz May 2011
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“Jamais entendu une chose pareille, me confiera un musicien présent dans la salle, pour ma part, jamais entendu un trio pareil, généreux, simple, riche…. “ Eric Téruel chronique pour le CHRIS JENNINGS TRIO (avec Pierre Perchaud et Leon Parker) 2010
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Feature de professeur. Magasine de Ville de Chelles (France) Avril 2008 Par Joelle Bappel, Mairie de Chelles, France. avril 2008 edition no. 237
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Feature artist in “Bassist Magasine” (France) Mars/Avril Edition 2007 Bassiste Magazine, de Adrien Evangelista, mars/avril edition 2007
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“… est rapidement remplacé par un contrebassiste dont le nom circule beaucoup depuis qu’il s’est installé en France, le Canadien Chris Jennings” Jazzman Magazine, de Franck Bergerot, mai 2004, Paris France.
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“ …et PUSH [de Chris Jennings] à la latinité dansante diablement efficace. Au passage, on saluera le discours tout en puissance mélodique de Chris Jennings, contrebassiste dont on entend de plus en plus souvent parler dans les clubs parisiens,….” Le nouveau disque …EVEIL Choisisait disque d’emoi, juin 2003, de Jêrome Plassard, Jazz Magazine, Paris, France
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“ Airelle Besson avec Chris Jennings a convaincu le jury.” Tremplin d’Avignon Festival du Jazz; August 5, 2002, by Phillipe Lemande. La Delphine, Avignon, France
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“ ...the very promising rhythm tandem of bass Chris Jennings and drummer Mark Adam ... did themselves proud,” noting Chris' “ confident melodicism” and Mark's “loose, enterprising approach” CJSW Concert Series; April 12, 2000, by Geoff Chapman. Toronto Star, Toronto, Canada
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Primary Instrument:
Bass, acoustic
Location:
Paris
Willing to teach:
Advanced students only.
Credentials/Background:
Professeur at the Conservatory of Chelles, France
Professeur at the Centre Musiques de Didier Lockwood (CMDL), France
