Chris Standring returns in 2026 with Time of Change, an eleven-song collection that feels both reflective and invigorating—an album shaped by personal milestones and a deep love for a golden era of music. Drawing inspiration from the sophisticated arrangements, lush harmonies, and cool grooves of the ’70s, this new release finds the Billboard chart-topping contemporary jazz guitarist embracing nostalgia while stepping confidently into the next phase of his life and career.
The tracklist itself reads like a series of snapshots, each composition offering its own mood and memory: “Photographs,” “Magnetic,” “Slippin’ In These Streets,” “All The Good Times,” “Where Were You When,” “Hollywood Hustle,” “A Good Game,” “One Of These Days,” “Remember The Day,” “All That To Say,” and the deeply personal “A Song For Alistair.” Together, these pieces form a cohesive narrative—warm, melodic, and unmistakably Standring.
Time of Change arrives at a pivotal moment. Getting married for the first time and the passing of his father marked profound shifts in Standring’s personal life, and those experiences subtly permeate the music. With nostalgia on his mind and life changes shaping what he calls the “third act” of his journey, Standring wrote and produced all eleven tracks himself. The result is an album that balances emotional depth with effortless groove, channeling ’70s-inspired cool jazz and retro R&B without ever feeling dated.
Sonically, the album is rich and expansive. A top-flight four-piece horn section and a broad palette of orchestral colors sit alongside Standring’s signature guitar tones, creating a sound that is both classic and contemporary. The core foursome powering the record includes Standring on guitars, keyboards, programming, and horn and string arrangements, joined by bassist Andre Berry, drummer Chad Wright, and percussionist Lenny Castro. Four tracks are elevated further by a stellar horn lineup featuring Brandon Fields on tenor sax, Tom Saviano on alto sax, Michael Stever on trumpet, and Erik Hughes on trombone.
Additional contributions come from an impressive cast of collaborators, including GRAMMY-winning bassist Brian Bromberg, pianist George Whitty, drummer Dave Karasony, and Rodney Lee—the keyboardist who partnered with Standring three decades ago in the innovative band Solar System at the very start of his recording career. That sense of history and continuity adds another layer of meaning to an album already steeped in reflection.
The project will be introduced by the lead single “Hollywood Hustle,” an up-tempo, horn-tinged strut that captures the album’s retro-cool spirit. The single begins collecting playlist adds and airplay on February 2, 2026, ahead of the full album’s release on March 20 via Ultimate Vibe Recordings.
From start to finish, Time of Change is exactly what its title suggests: a thoughtful, stylish soundtrack to transformation, memory, and momentum—one that invites listeners to look back fondly while moving forward with purpose.
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