Chris Ayres

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, hiphop and rock with 'Sub Trance'. Disco, Soul and RnB with 'Retrogression' and 'Little Fox' and hard rock with 'The Otherkind'. He is a very experienced teacher and regularly performs throughout the UK and in Europe. He has been playing for nearly two decades now and has inspired many young guitar players through his passion for music. Chris learnt a great deal of his skills by extensive touring and recording in the early days of his carreer and has done a vast amount of gigging. In 1996 He graduated from the Musicians Instutute and then whent 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 buissness such as Shaun Baxter, Dave Kilminster, Ian Scott, Max Milligan, Lee Hodgson, Eric Roche, Pete Langman and Barry Langton. During his 5 years teaching and performing in London he played and jammed with some of the finest musicians on the scene including Courtney Pines and Jazz Jamaica guitarist Cameron Pierre and members of David Bowies session list. 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. Chris left London to relocate in Oxford where he has colaborated with artists such as Julia Thomas, Al Jenkins and Jace Jacob, he has also worked as guitarist in shows like Jesus Christ Superstar. At Present Chris is performing as a solo artist incorporating most genres such as Blues , Jazz , Country , Classical and even elements of Folk. The Band Mistreated Featuring Chris ,Al Jenkins on vocals and Bass and Jake Jacob on drums, have also been working in the studio which is a much more driven and rock based outfit. Formed in March 2010, Mistreated are a new wave power trio mixing up rock, funk, blues, dub and a whole lot more besides. 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" and "Our Lady's Convent" in Oxford where he is Head of Guitar.