Biography
A life shaped by blues, jazz and the freedom to follow the guitar wherever it leads.
Chris Dair is a British guitarist, songwriter and composer whose playing crosses blues, jazz, rock and World music.
Chris Dair first wanted to play guitar after hearing the guitarist Manitas de Plata. By fourteen, the blues had taken hold. He was soon gigging in London, including appearances at Ronnie Scott’s with John Mayall, John McVie and George Melly.
As a young lead guitarist, Chris played and jammed with musicians including Rory Gallagher, Jimmy Page, Ginger Baker, Paul Kossoff, Captain Beefheart, Dave Davies, Roy Wood, Peter Green, Jeff Beck and the great Delta bluesman Bukka White. Later came memorable performances with Noel Redding and John Coughlan.
Chris has also composed for film and media, with work used in productions connected with Nickelodeon, ITV, Channel 4, London Weekend Television and Guinness World Records in the United States.
His records are built around performance. Chris plays the instruments himself and favours complete takes over loops, samples or studio shortcuts. The catalogue moves freely through Delta and Chicago blues, jazz fusion, psychedelic rock, World music and solo instrumental guitar, but the touch is unmistakably his.
Career highlights
Played and jammed with leading figures from British blues, rock and R&B.
Multi-instrumentalist who writes, performs, records and produces his own work.
Film and media composer with credits across British and international television.
Praised by blues press for originality, tone and stylistic range.
From the press
All reviews“Crossroads To Freedom shows off an amazing talent that can stand beside the best musicians, vocalists, and songwriters working today.”
“Whether ballad-like, floating, or rocking, the blues fan simply cannot avoid this record.”
“It has been a while since I heard a guitar player that I resonate with like I do Chris Dair.”
Press and media enquiries
Portraits, biographies and additional material are available.
