Chris Byars
Chris Byars was born in New York City on Nov. 2, 1970 into a family of Juilliard-trained musicians. The artistic resources of NYC were made accessible to the youngster, who soon found himself in musical situations with the top talents of the world. Throughout his childhood, he was granted private study with the great teachers in the area, devoting much effort to learning drums, voice, saxophone, musicianship and ballet technique. From age 6 to 14, Chris enjoyed a successful career as an opera singer, performing, touring, and appearing on television with the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera and New York City Ballet. At age 14 he devoted himself exclusively to the idiom of jazz.
In the next ten years Byars undertook a period of apprenticeship that transformed him from a jazz novice into a fully functioning jazz composer, arranger and multi- instrumentalist. A Bachelor's and Master's Degree were earned from Manhattan School of Music, but perhaps the most impact was gained by 2 years of intensive private study with musicianship guru Helen Jordan.
In 1994 he began a nine-year run of steady engagements at the Greenwich Village “cutting-edge jazz club” Smalls, appearing on average twice weekly with jazz legends Frank Hewitt and Jimmy Lovelace. This decade of late-night gigs saw the birth of two bands: the quintet Across 7 Street (co-led by bassist Ari Roland) and The Chris Byars Octet. Both have recorded with the indie label Smalls Records to great critical acclaim.
Read moreTags
Interview
Album Review
- Pictures at an Exhibition of Himalayan Art by Elliott Simon
- Photos in Black, White and Gray by Ken Dryden
- Night Owls by Jim Santella
Multiple Reviews
Read more articlesJune 23, 2011
Chris Byars - Lucky Strickes Again (Steeplechase, 2011)
May 10, 2011
Chris Byars: Lucky Strikes Again
April 29, 2011
April 28, 2011
Recent Listening: Lucky Strikes Again
May 12, 2010
Chris Byars - Bop-Ography (Steeplechase)
September 14, 2009
Primary Instrument
Saxophone
Willing to teach
Beginner to advanced
Credentials/Background
I charge $90 for first hour, $40 each additional hour. I'll come to you if you're not too far away! I have a Masters of Music degree in Jazz Studies (Manhattan School of Music). For schools of any level, I present an award-winning clinic/concert program called "Basheer's Dream: The Music of Gigi Gryce Returns," and have given solo master classes on the Musical Legacy of Lucky Thompson. As a teaching musician, I've been selected by the US State Department to tour the former Soviet Republics in April/May 2007
Photos
Albums
Similar

saxophone, alto

saxophone

guitar, electric

saxophone, tenor
.jpg)
bass

guitar

bass

piano

bass

saxophone

saxophone

saxophone, tenor

saxophone

saxophone

bass

band/orchestra