Support for Jazz 91.9 WCLK is made possible in part by The Suite Food Lounge, located at 375 Luckie Street in Downtown Atlanta. The Suite Jazz Series presents for one night this Thursday, October 27, Guitarist Chris Standring along with The Suite Jazz Series Band. Doors open at 6:30pm with showtime at 7:30pm. More information about The Suite Jazz Series including reservations is available at 404-577-2500 or at eventbrite.com or JazzBeat Promotions.
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 CD as a leader and follows his 2021 release 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.”