Chris comes from a long line of musicians. Chris’ strongest influence probably came from his mother who encouraged him to follow his dream in becoming a musician. Being a musician and vocalist herself and a music teacher of many years, and eventually becoming head of the music department for the Greenwich Connecticut Public Schools - she was in a perfect place to encourage him. She encouraged Chris to attend a Berklee College of Music Summer Program which eventually led to his obtaining a degree from Berklee in professional music. His influences in chronological order were: The Beatles, Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66, Led Zeppelin, Cream, John Lennon, Cat Stevens, Pink Floyd, Blood Sweat & Tears, Deep Purple, Frank Zappa, Jeff Beck, Tommy Bolin, Allan Holdsworth, Steely Dan, Weather Report, Allman Brothers Band, Stanley Clarke, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Mike Stern, John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Horace Silver, Gang of Four, Peter Gabriel, David Bowie, Brian Eno, Robert Fripp/King Crimson, John Scofield, Wes Montgomery, Jimmy Raney, Jim Hall, Pat Metheny, Stan Getz/Joao Gilberto, Grant Green, Sonny Rollins, Joe Diorio, John Abercrombie, James Taylor, Kenny Burrell, Attila Zoller, Public Image Ltd., Joy Division/New Order, Wire, Can, The Fall, Killing Joke, Husker Du, James Brown, Nirvana, Beck, Radiohead, Queens of the Stone Age, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and The Mars Volta.
Sounds Like
Chris has his own unique sound. His sound is clean without effects, technically challenging, but his compositions stay with you, relax, soothe, and excite.
C H R I S H O U G H
It’s been a long road to a good place for jazz plus guitarist, Chris Hough. After graduating from Berklee College of Music Chris played for 20 years in the Boston and surrounding New England areas with the Winker Band. Gigs were plentiful and included events like President Clinton’s Presidential Inaugural Ball, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston Ballet, Harvard University, and some venues such as The Wang Center, Boston’s Regatta Bar, The Parker House Hotel, Zanzibar, and The Colonnade. Chris gained an incredibly vast repertoire playing countless events on the East Coast as a part of the “Winiker Band.” The Boston Globe called the Winikers “Boston‘s House Band.”
Relocating to the Salt Lake area for Chris was a process of energizing and sparking new creativity and drive into a life that had become too comfortable, too predictable. It was a very difficult decision for him, but one that led to new possibilities, and the composition of a long overdue original jazz CD to be released June of 2008. Chris was embraced quickly in SLC and very humbly has earned a reputation as one of the area’s finest guitarists. Some past performances in Salt Lake City have included The Gateway Concert Series, Little Shop of Horrors at the Capital Theater, The Grand America, and Zanzibar, to name a few, and upcoming is the 2008 Utah Arts Festival and performance afterwards at Zanzibar on June 27, 2008.
Chris has a sound that is "retro-fresh." Some of the best players, amazing technically, still struggle with their guitar sound and so effects are added. Not so with Chris, his sound is a good and pure sound difficult to come by. And while many of his compositions are difficult technically to play, he gives the audience something to hold on to (sometimes difficult in the jazz world) with sounds that soothe, relax, excite and challenge, and best of all, stay with you. And I can't say as I've ever before heard a Led Zeppelin-like quote in a jazz tune such as you'll find in "Row 12." Maybe that's why they called him "Mr Rock" at the jazz college he attended. Chris' grit and energy from a musical road well traveled translate well to the audience.
For booking information contact Lorraine Hough at 801.576.0931 or christuffmusic@comcast.net. YOU CAN ALSO SEE CHRIS AT WWW.CHRISHOUGHBAND.COM and WWW.JOEFRIDAYMUSIC.COM.
How You Can Help! Join Chris' email list below.
CHRIS PLAYING CLINTON'S INAUGURAL BALL IN WASHINGTON DC WITH BOSTON'S "WINIKER ORCHESTRA." Chris played with the Winikers for 20 years as a first call guitarist and has been invited back to play on several ocassions since leaving the Boston area.
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Hey hey, How are you? I spoke with Steve Williams just as he went off air lastnight! I feel as busy as a one armed paper hanger.... Just business stuff not shows! xoxo Peggie
Hey Chris, thank you for being at the show and for your kind words. I appreciate it very much. I was so happy that I got to meet your wife and chat for a bit. Small world.
Best of luck at your concert on the 4th, I'm sure that you will knock em' dead! I'm so sorry I won't be there, heading to New York tomorrow. I'll be thinking of you and sending warm musical vibes your way...:)
Hi Chris, Pleasure meeting you and having you play guitar with me singing Stormy Monday at Zanzibar way back in July! Keep up the great playing! Love, Peggie
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