Chris Combs

Biography

Chris Combs is a composer, arranger, steel guitarist, and producer born on October 12, 1983, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.[1] He has established himself as a cornerstone of Tulsa's vibrant musical community, known for his work on lap steel and steel guitar across multiple genres including jazz, contemporary, and experimental music.[1] Since 2008, Combs has been a integral member of the Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey (JFJO), one of Tulsa's most acclaimed jazz ensembles, where he has collaborated with world-class musicians including George Porter Jr., Matt Chamberlain, Jeff Coffin, Steven Bernstein, Skerik, Johnny Vidacovich, and Mike Dillon.[1]

Combs is perhaps best known for writing, arranging, and orchestrating "The Race Riot Suite" (2011), JFJO's 21st album and a long-form conceptual masterwork that tells the story of the 1921 Tulsa race riot.[1] The album reached #1 on the CMJ Jazz chart in Fall 2012 and received critical acclaim from major publications including the Los Angeles Times and The Boston Globe for its beautiful orchestration and celebration of the Greenwood community.[1] Beyond his work with JFJO, Combs released a self-titled solo album titled "COMBSY" in October 2017, which showcases influences ranging from Charles Mingus and J Dilla to Radiohead and James Blake, featuring a lush, groove-heavy sound recorded live as a trio to 2" tape.[1]

Combs has become a respected figure in Tulsa's music scene, known for his improvisational approach and collaborative spirit.[3] He has participated in numerous festival performances and tours, including appearances at the Jazz Standard in New York City, the Montreal Jazz Festival, and the High Sierra Music Festival.[1] His work exemplifies the deep creative tradition of Tulsa and his commitment to original composition and community-driven music-making.

Fun Facts

• Combs spent significant time in New Orleans during Jazzfest with Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, which deeply influenced his exposure to free and creative music scenes.[3]
• The Race Riot Suite was recorded in January 2011 and debuted live on May 20, 2011, at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center with a packed house featuring the complete album lineup.[1]
• Combs' COMBSY solo album was primarily tracked in October 2016 and recorded live as a trio to 2" tape at Fellowship Hall in Little Rock, Arkansas, reflecting his commitment to organic, live recording methods.[1]
• The Race Riot Suite reached #1 on the CMJ Jazz chart in Fall 2012 and included a North American tour with performances at prestigious venues including the Jazz Standard in NYC, the Boom Boom Room in San Francisco, and the Montreal Jazz Festival.[1]

Musical Connections

Key Collaborators

• Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey - Core member playing lap steel guitar; primary collaborative vehicle for most of his professional work (The Race Riot Suite, multiple JFJO albums) [2008-present]
• Jeff Coffin - Guest horn player and collaborator on stage and in studio (The Race Riot Suite, various JFJO projects) [2011+]
• Steven Bernstein - Guest horn player and collaborator on stage and in studio (The Race Riot Suite, various JFJO projects) [2011+]
• George Porter Jr. - Contemporary artist collaboration on stage and in studio (Various collaborative projects) [2000s+]
• Matt Chamberlain - Contemporary artist collaboration on stage and in studio (Various collaborative projects) [2000s+]
• Brian Haas - Permanent JFJO lineup member; pianist in core ensemble (The Race Riot Suite, JFJO albums) [2008+]
• Josh Raymer - Permanent JFJO lineup member; drummer in core ensemble (The Race Riot Suite, JFJO albums) [2008+]
• Jeff Harshbarger - Permanent JFJO lineup member; bassist in core ensemble (The Race Riot Suite, JFJO albums) [2008+]
• Aaron Boehler - Collaborator on COMBSY solo project; bassist in core trio (COMBSY album) [2016]
• Andrew Bones - Collaborator on COMBSY solo project; drummer and vibraphonist in core trio (COMBSY album) [2016]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia