CHRIS ALLARD BAND
Chris Allard Electric and Acoustic Guitars
Brandon Allen Tenor Saxophone
Ross Stanley Piano and Keyboards
Oli Hayhurst Double Bass
Nick Smalley Drums
Drawing on various influences including Brad Mehldau, Pat Metheny, Radiohead, Miles Davis, Kurt Rosenwinkel, the group play in a dynamic and contemporary way, with interplay, improvisation and energy.
“Great playing…beautiful…a real guitar player” Pat Martino
“An assertive debut… Allard dodges any jazz-bluesy rock clichés with a bold, rounded sound and patiently-shaped sense of melodic direction… full-blooded solos right on the money” Jazzwise
“Energetic guitar-led modern jazz originals from fine player Allard, who works with Jacqui Dankworth and Gwyneth Herbert, and is joined by a great rhythm section. Expect Radiohead-style flourishes and Metheny-ish melodies wrapped in a hip approach to modern jazz.” Time Out
"Chris Allard is a regular on TV, radio and the international jazz festival circuit. His original jazz is approachable and witty, especially in the company of his band, featuring
Brandon Allen (sax), Ross Stanley (keys) Oli Hayhurst (double bass) and Nick Smalley (drums). Open Spaces and Insurgence demonstrate the group’s dexterity while maintaining a balance between tension and release as spiralling highs give way to relaxed improvisations. Top drawer."
The Musician, Spring 2010 Reviews
Chris Allard has performed at The Royal Festival Hall, Ronnie Scott’s, Edinburgh Festival, Nuremberg Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival, The Queen Elizabeth Hall, Cannes Festival, Hackney Empire and many other venues all over the world.
TV and Radio appearances include playing live on the Paul O’Grady Show and Children in Need with Jacqui Dankworth, and Friday Night is Music Night with Gwyneth Herbert and the BBC Concert Orchestra live on BBC Radio Two. In august 2009 was featured guest on Solar Radio,
Los Angeles California, talking about new album Open Spaces and playing live in the studio.
He has performed with Jacqui Dankworth, Dave O Higgins, John Helliwell (Supertramp), Dame Cleo Laine, Sir John Dankworth, Mark Heart (Crowded House), Gwyneth Herbert, Guy Pratt (Pink Floyd), Jamie Cullum, Carleen Anderson (James Brown) amongst others.
www.chrisallard.co.uk
www.myspace.com/chrisallardband
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