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Chris Jennings

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.

Gear

Endorsed by d'Addario Bowed Strings “Karla,” 2004 custom double bass by Thomas Martin. "Fiona,” circa 1880 German double bass restored by Gerard Samija (Vancouver). "Setâreh,” 2011 custom upright-electric by Hervé Prudent “Bapoum,” 1990 custom six string electric bass with the help of bassist/mentor Dale James. Body and neck by Tak Hosono (ibenez)/electronics by Pat Bartolini, body/neck refinished by french luthier Julien Gendre.Eden Traveler Amplifier, FWR upright pick-up, EBS effects, monster cables


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6
Album Review

Chris Jennings: Drum'n Koto

Read "Drum'n Koto" reviewed by Ian Patterson


For his seventh album as leader, Paris-based bassist Chris Jennings allies himself with like-minded adventurers in koto player Mieko Miyazaki and drummer Patrick Goraguer. The common denominator between the musicians is openness to music that transcends borders and labels. Miyazaki plays in guitarist Nguyen Le's Saiyaki along with tabla player Prabhu Edouard; Goraguer--a regular in Jennings quartet--has played with bassist Richard Bona and singer Fema Kuti, while Jennings's collaborations include oud player Dhafer Yousef and saxophonist Lee Konitz. The idiom ...

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“Un des morceaux que l’on retiendra est le morceau « Riyaz », un composition originale du contrebassiste Chris Jennings, inspirée du folklore iranien. Chris Jennings nous a montré à quel point la contrebasse pouvait être un instrument lyrique, les phrases mélodiques de son introduction nous évoquaient le chant des religieux psalmodiant les versets du Coran.” Par Neil Saidi, http://toutelaculture.com/ mars 2011 concert au Sunside du Thomas Enhco Trio

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Primary Instrument

Bass, acoustic

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

Professeur at the Conservatory of Chelles, France Professeur at the Centre Musiques de Didier Lockwood (CMDL), France

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

John Hadfield's Paris...

OutNote Records
2022

buy

Streams

ACT Music
2019

buy

Drum'n Koto

Promise Land Records
2013

buy

Left Turn Signal

From: Drum'n Koto
By Chris Jennings

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