Heard Chris Anderson decades ago at a jazz festival. He was playing trio with Victor Sproles and Billy Higgins. I don't remember him singing on that set, but they played "A Time for Love" and it was so beautiful that everyone at my table (all musicians) was in tears. Chris's voicings and phrasing were something else. He played straight from the heart.
Herbie Hancock brought me here...his early influence in jazz composing and improvisation. Got gigs this weekend and always studying other's styles to "steal" and integrate into my playing style. Very interesting voicings Mr. Anderson.
Chicago trumpeter Art Hoyle described Chris's playing as "like a beautiful little butterfly on the keys." I heard him at the Chicago Jazz Festival in the '80s, and in after-hours sessions at the Jazz Showcase. He was a sideman in one of the bands at the festival -- maybe Ira Sullivan's? In any event, he blew me away!
Herbie’s lecture series brought me here. I listened to Chris’ “Love Letters” first, which was absolutely genius. His harmonic structure is as Herbie described, very heavily influenced by Ravel and Debussy which Herbie said influenced jazz musicians in the 20s and 30s but was shelved sometime thereafter. Planning to listen to lots more Chris Anderson.
