Chris Standring | "Simple Things"

Sometimes it takes a potentially life-altering event to make you stop and re-evaluate what is truly important to you. In March 2021, guitarist, composer, and arranger Chris Standring found himself in the emergency room after experiencing chest pains.  He was having a heart attack. On his newest release, Simple Things, Standring reflects on his recent experience and his new and intimate awareness of the fragility of life. Standring relates, “We have all heard cliches like ‘who knows what tomorrow may bring’ and ‘don't forget to stop and smell the roses,’ but we usually don’t take those old aphorisms to heart. To suddenly come face to face with my own mortality made me think about what is really important to me and how I want to live out my third act. Ultimately the answer came down to a just few basic things -- spending time with loved ones, being present in the moment, and doing things with joy. Indeed, the theme of this album is joy, positivity, hope, and, because I'm a sucker for a beautiful melody, a little sadness as well.” Standring is one of the most prolific and successful artists on the contemporary urban jazz scene. 

Simple Things is his 14th release as a leader and follows his 2021 large ensemble album, Wonderful World, of which critic Travis Rogers said, “Wonderful World propels Chris Standring’s reputation—indeed, fame—as masterful guitar artist and savvy arranger. Standring’s ability to pare down standards and classics, while never losing the lush quality of the orchestra, is brilliant. Whether it is his composing, his arranging, or his performing, Chris Standring is deserving of careful attention.” Standring is a superb guitarist and composer with an innate feel for funky, bluesy jazz. For him, music should be emotionally authentic rather than an intellectual exercise or a demonstration of a musician’s proficiency. As Standring says, he is a sucker for a beautiful melody, which is quite apparent on Simple Things, an album with a lot of heart.

Album Personnel: CHRIS STANDRING  guitar, keyboards, programming / ANDRE BERRY bass / CHRIS COLEMAN drums / RODNEY LEE keyboards (6,10) / GARY MEEK sax  (10) / KEVIN AXT bass (4) / Produced & Arranged by CHRIS STANDRING   

Tracks: 1. SHADOW OF DOUBT  4:32 / 2. THANK YOU BOOTSY  4:49 / 3. CHANGE THE WORLD  3:34 / 4. A THOUSAND WORDS  5:36 / 5. FACE TO FACE  4:39 / 6. AIN'T NUTHIN' BUT A THING  4:44 / 7. THE GIST OF YOU  4:09 / 8. NO TWO WAYS  4:35 / 9. TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT  4:02 / 10. DONT GET ME STARTED  5:11 / 11. AND THE SHOW GOES ON  4:12