Chris's guitar skills are vast and cover many different styles including jazz funk with 'Devision de Funk' and the 'Steve Suttee Trio', dance with 'Euphony', reggae, hip-hop and rock with 'Sub Trance'. Disco, Soul and RnB with 'Retrogression' and 'Little Fox' and hard rock with 'The Otherkind' and Mistreated and not to forget all his session and theatre work. He is a very experienced teacher and regularly performs throughout the UK and in Europe. He has been playing for over two decades now and has inspired many young guitar players through his passion for music. Chris learned a great deal of his skills through extensive touring and recording in the early days of his career and has done a vast amount of gigging. In 1996 He graduated from the Musicians Institute and then went on to London College of Music where he studied Popular Music Performance; his main focus was to study Jazz and theory. Whilst studying at Degree level he was coached by some of the leading Virtuoso guitarist's in the business. During his 5 years teaching and performing in London he played and jammed with some of the finest musicians on the scene including Courtney Pine and Jazz Jamaica guitarist Cameron Piere and members of Robbie Williams, Girls Aloud, John Legend, Madness, Pixie Lott, Harry Pane, Paloma Faith and David Bowie's session list. Chris left London to re-locate in Oxford where he has collaborated with artists such as Julia Thomas, Al Jenkins, Jake Jacob, Harry Pane and Luke Ford. Chris also worked playing guitar in shows like Jesus Christ Superstar, Sound of Music, Boogie Nights, Bugsy Malone and Little Shop of Horrors. It's hard to place Chris's guitar playing. As a whole he seems to incorporate many styles but always hinting at the feel for the blue notes. But at the same time when he picks up an acoustic hinting at classical influences. Full of details and finesse, every single note is hit with passion and feeling. Lead and rhythm flow relentlessly from Chris's guitar, making it resonate generously to the merest touch. Underlying this is a profound musical mind, consummate technique and a depth of musical talent. His playing is presented in an open, honest, personable way, the music tugging at the emotions. At Present Chris is performing as a solo artist incorporating most genres such as Blues, Jazz, Country, Classical and even elements of Folk. The Chris Ayres Band have also been working in the studio which is a much more driven and rock based outfit. When Chris is not performing or recording he is teaching. Credits include area manager for Southern Counties Music Service, Hounslow Guitar Ensemble, Director of Banbury Young Musicians, Rock School, Base1 Music, Yamaha, The Music Practice, St Edwards School, Oxford High School, St Helen and St Katherine, Our Lady’s Abingdon, John Mason School and the world renound Stowe school. He has also taught members of the Saudi Royal Family.
