Chris Bergson Trio September 21, 2007

Brooklyn based guitarist/singer/songwriter Chris Bergson creates his own brand of contemporary Americana where, "funk, soul, blues, folk and delectable jazz come together seamlessly." (All About Jazz). Led by Bergson's soulful vocals and dynamic guitar, the Chris Bergson Band features Jay Collins (Allman Brothers, Levon Helm, James Hunter) on tenor sax and backing vocals, Bruce Katz (John Hammond, Ronnie Earl) on piano and B-3 organ, Tony Leone (Ollabelle, Donald Fagen) on drums, and bassist Chris Berger (Jeff "Tain" Watts, Russell Mallone). The Chris Bergson Band's critically acclaimed 2005 release, Another Day (2 Shirts Records) draws on the rich legacy of American Roots music. Bergson's vocals are warm and personal. "Come and Gone" simmers; gorgeous ballads "Another Day" and "High Above the Morning" are deep country soul," says Blues Revue. Guitar Player's Andy Ellis writes, "On Another Day, Chris Bergson makes his thin-line Gibson sound fat and funky in true Big Easy style, pays tribute to Curtis Mayfield with sweet double-stops, and picks angular blues-bop lines like a tightly wound New York hipster. Bergson has tone and vibe to spare." Born in Manhattan and raised in Somerville, MA, Chris Bergson returned to New York in 1995. At that time, Bergson was primarily playing jazz, accompanying many great singers like Annie Ross, Dena DeRose and Norah Jones. Master jazz guitarist Jim Hall hailed Bergson as being "among the best of the young jazz guitarists". Bergson recorded two critically acclaimed jazz CDs as a leader for Juniper Records, appeared on many other records as a sideman, and performed at such top NYC clubs as The Blue Note, Jazz Standard, and Smoke. A particular highlight of this period was a weekend engagement at the Fat Cat playing trio with Miles Davis alum, master drummer Al Foster. In 2002, Bergson was appointed a Jazz Ambassador of the United States of America by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the U.S. State Department. Chris' trio toured eight countries in West Africa including Ghana, Senegal, Benin and Nigeria, giving concerts and clinics on the blues for local musicians. Bergson's years in the trenches as a jazz musician gave him a mastery of his instrument and a joyous freedom as an improviser that is infectious to the listener. But as Mick Rainsford of Blues in Britain notes, "Bergson had another love, blues and roots music, offering him the opportunity to expand his musical repertoire and develop the highly personalized blend of blues, jazz and soul that makes "Another Day" such an outstanding set.

Event submitted by Eventful.com on behalf of clmgarage.