Chris Standring

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Chris Standring (born 1960) is a British-born smooth jazz guitarist known for his heavy use of 1970s-style musical nuances. Before launching his own solo career with his 1998 album "Velvet", Standring represented a third of the band SolarSystem, a one-shot project that combined elements of jazz and hip-hop.

Chris Standring was born and raised in Buckinghamshire, England; classically trained at the London College of Music, he further honed his skills during a decade spent working for the BBC as well as a number of theatrical orchestras on London's West End. From there Standring relocated to Los Angeles, where he became a top session player after recording with everyone from Bebe & Cece Winans to Jody Watley to Carole Bayer Sager; in 1996, he also teamed with keyboardist Rodney Lee to helm the acid jazz combo SolarSystem. After touring for a year and a half with trumpeter Rick Braun, Standring issued his solo debut Velvet in 1999, scoring the smooth jazz radio hit "Cool Shades"; Hip Sway appeared a year later. Groovalicious came next (2003) followed by Soul Express (2006). Love & Paragraphs (2008) spawned the title track hit radio single.