Bassist CHRIS COLANGELO is one of the genuine masters on his instrument. The first thing you notice about Chris’s playing — his tone, deeply resonant with astonishing articulation across the instrument’s sonic register. Once you adjust to such reverberant force, you recognize that this is a musician with serious chops … that hard to define, never forgotten lyric quality that separates yeoman time-keepers from bassists with seductive narrative power.
Born in Camden, New Jersey, Chris attended Rowan University, majoring in jazz performance. Then a resident of the Philadelphia area, Chris was part of the local jazz scene, with session work throughout the Delaware Valley, including gigs in Atlantic City. After moving to Los Angeles in late ’91, Chris began performing and traveling with heavyweights such as the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, Count Basie Orchestra, “The Tonight Show Band”, Yusef Lateef, Bob Brookmeyer, Jimmy Cleveland, Alex Acuna, Roy McCurdy, Doc Severinsen, Ernie Watts, Kei Akagi, Les McCann, Richie Cole, Sal Marquez, Joe La Barbera, Bob Mintzer, Arturo Sandoval, Tom Scott, Peter Erskine, Gary Novak, Chuck Findley, Mark Sherman, Bill Cunliffe, Ralph Moore, Michael Dease, Terell Stafford, Rick Margitza, Wycliffe Gordon, Marvin “Smitty” Smith and Jerry Bergonzi among many others. He is currently touring with famed vocalists Jack Jones and Mary Wilson.
Chris’s first solo album, 2 trios + 1 — “Live” (BluePort Jazz) recorded in 2000, earned plaudits at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas soon after its appearance in nationwide distribution. Legendary pianist Jane Getz joined Chris for this “in concert” recording, along with percussionist Dave Hocker and saxophonist Chuck Manning.
In 2010, Chris recorded his 2nd solo CD entitled “Elaine’s Song” (C-note Records). It is comprised of mostly original material with a couple of jazz standards thrown in. Pianist John Beasley and saxophonist Bob Sheppard are featured on this latest effort. Chris received rave reviews on the CD, not only as a bassist but also as a composer, including in Downbeat Magazine.