About Chris

Chris Lord is London's premier, traditional bluegrass banjo player, staying active on the scene and regularly gigging across the UK.

Banjo

South Croydon

I began playing music as a child on piano, and moved through various instruments including trombone, bass guitar and drumkit. I am classically trained, but changed my musical outlook after discovering American string-band music and became deeply immersed in the banjo. Since that day, I've founded two popular bluegrass bands: The Vanguards and The London Bluegrass Band. I also fill in for other bands when banjo is called for. My bands have played several popular festivals, such as Black Deer Festival, The Long Road and Cambridge Folk Festival. They've also played internationally, at Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival and La Roche Bluegrass Festival. Banjo is my passion, and when not performing, I also teach the instrument in one-to-one lessons and workshops. My major style influences cover a broad spectrum within bluegrass and include the likes of Ralph Stanley, Don Reno and Béla Fleck.

Chris' Song list

Bill Monroe - Columbus Stockade Blues

Bill Monroe - I Wonder Where You Are Tonight

Bill Monroe - Old Daingerfield

Bill Monroe - Road to Columbus

Bill Monroe - Shenandoah Valley Breakdown

Bill Monroe - Big Sandy River

The Stanley Brothers - A Little at a Time

The Stanley Brothers - Clinch Mountain Backstep

The Stanley Brothers - Hard Times

Carter Family - The Waves on the Sea

Jimmie Rodgers - In The Jailhouse Now

Ray Price - Heart Over Mind

George Jones - Life To Go

Gordon Lightfoot - Redwood Hill

Alex Leach - Raining in my Heart

Flatt & Scruggs - Foggy Mountain Breakdown

Flatt & Scruggs - Dear Old Dixie

Ralph Stanley - Coosy

Frank Wakefield - New Camptown Races

The Osbourne Brothers - Sledd Ridin'

Country Gazette - Hot Burrito Breakdown

Crystal Gayle - Wrong Road Again

Herb Remington - Remington Ride

Traditional - The World is Waiting for the Sunrise

Traditional - Farewell Blues

Traditional - Bully of the Town

Traditional - Home Sweet Home

Traditional - Cherokee Shuffle

Traditional - Big Sciota

Traditional - Temperance Reel

Musicianship

Genres:

Bluegrass, Folk, Country

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Instruments:

Banjo, Guitar, Singing guitarist

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Event types:

Concert, Wedding, Hotel / Restaurant event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Recording session, Theatre / Show, Burns night, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve, Virtual event

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Other skills:

Composer, Songwriter, Transcription, Fluent improviser, Instrumental teaching

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