INTERESTED IN SOUTHERN CHARM & SWING?
ARTIST BIO
Chris began playing the piano at age seven, when his painter grandmother first got him interested in music. At age 14, he was earning money as a musician, participating in several rock bands during his high school years. Following his graduation from high school, he enrolled at the College of William and Mary where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Music.
Chris' performance of Chopin's 2nd Concerto with the Richmond Symphony earned him a fellowship at the University of Richmond, where he acquired a Master's degree in Music. Additionally, while pursuing his degree, Chris was soloist with the Richmond Community Symphony Orchestra.
Upon graduation from the University of Richmond, Chris took his act on the road for six years, during which time he was featured at numerous supper clubs and resorts in Washington, D.C., Virginia, Maryland, Massachusetts, California, West Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, South Carolina, and Georgia. When Chris returned to his hometown of Savannah, Georgia, he released his first album, ''Wind of Change," in 1990, which included eight original compositions, as well as Johnny Mercer's "Satin Doll and Antonio Joabim's "Wave".
Then, in 1993 Chris found his niche with the release of "Southern Charm & Swing," a tribute to the works of Johnny Mercer This selection of 10 songs, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer and arrangements by the late Ken Palmer, thrust Chris into the spotlight, enabling him to develop a significant following in the coastal regions of the Southeast. In fact, this project formed the foundation for Chris' appearance as headline entertainer for the Gala Opening of the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in September 1996. During this performance, he was accompanied by Connie Haines, former big band vocalist with Frank Sinatra, Harry James, and Tommy Dorsey, for a medley of Mercer favorites.
Following "Southern Charm & Swing," Chris became actively involved with The Friends of Johnny Mercer, where he served as Vice President and President. Through their efforts, April 19 was proclaimed Johnny Mercer Day in the state of Georgia by Governor Zel Miller. In this regard, Chris has organized and promoted many special events, including a collaboration with Set Sail for Savannah! to establish an annual festival series paying tribute to Mercer. During the 1994 Inaugural Festival, the Chris Chandler Connection opened for Mel Torme Chris also served as the Technical Production Coordinator for the concert and festival.
Chris is the 1995, 1996 and 1997 recipient of the ASCAP Popular Song Award for musical selections from his most recent recording project, "Lover's Holiday," released in 1997 Produced on Chandler's independent label, Playing Dude Records, "Lover's Holiday" is an eclectic mix of originals and includes tunes which may be termed jazz and adult contemporary. Mixed and mastered at Disney Studios in Orlando, Florida, the CD features Dan Toler, former guitarist with the Allman Brothers, on four of the 10 tracks. Additionally, the exceptional horn work (both trumpet and fluegle horn) of Dave Ferguson, 1996 Helen Hayes Award winner is showcased on the final two songs of the album. It also features the co-production talents of independent Polygram record producer Ken Hatley. Additionally, tracks from this project have been submitted to the Jonathan Krane Group for possible use in the soundtrack of the upcoming feature film "Lay of the Land." The proposed title track "Lay of the Land" is featured on "Lover's Holiday " The CD can be found at Blockbuster Music on Peachtree in the Jazz Room.
Chris Chandler is supported by as many as 10 musicians, with a band foundation that features Allen Murphy (toured with Count Basie) on drums/vocals, George Grier (featured on Curtis Mayfield's most recent album) on acoustic/electric bass, and Dave Ferguson (Helen Hayes Award winner and session player with the Stone Temple Pilots) on trumpet/fluegle horn. They can perform in various configurations. from solo to big band, to accommodate any event size, from intimate gatherings to gala affairs.
VIDEO GALLERY
PHOTO GALLERY
SONG LIST
Jerry Jeff Walker - Mr. Bojangles
- Motown, R&B, Soul
Aretha Franklin - Chain of Fools
Aretha Franklin - Natural Woman
Aretha Franklin - R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Otis Redding/Black Crowes - Hard to Handle
Roberta Flack - I Feel Like Making Love
Smokey Robinson - Just My Imagination - Standards, Swing, and Jazz
Big Band & Swing - A Fine Romance
Big Band & Swing - A-Train
Big Band & Swing - And The Angels Sing
Big Band & Swing - Autumn Leaves
Big Band & Swing - Basin St. Blues
Big Band & Swing - Blues In The Night
Big Band & Swing - Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
Big Band & Swing - C-Jam Blues
Big Band & Swing - Canadian Sunset
Big Band & Swing - Choo Choo Cha Boogie
Big Band & Swing - Don't Get Around Much Anymore
Big Band & Swing - Don't Mean A Thing Ifá It Ain't Got Swing
Big Band & Swing - Hello Dolly
Big Band & Swing - Hey Jealous Lover
Big Band & Swing - I Get A Kick Out Of You
Big Band & Swing - I Remember You
Big Band & Swing - I'm Old Fashioned
Big Band & Swing - In A Sentimental Mood
Big Band & Swing - Inthe Mood
Big Band & Swing - Jeepers Creepers
Big Band & Swing - Laura
Big Band & Swing - Moonlight Serenade
Big Band & Swing - My Funny Valentine
Big Band & Swing - New York, New York
Big Band & Swing - Nice N Easy
Big Band & Swing - Night And Day
Big Band & Swing - Peanuts Theme
Big Band & Swing - Route 66
Big Band & Swing - S'wonderful
Big Band & Swing - San Francisco
Big Band & Swing - Satin Doll
Big Band & Swing - Satin Doll
Big Band & Swing - Saturday Night Fish-Fry
Big Band & Swing - Someone To Watch Over Me
Big Band & Swing - Something's Gotta Give
Big Band & Swing - St. Louis Blues
Big Band & Swing - Stardust
Big Band & Swing - Stompin' At The Savoy
Big Band & Swing - Stormy Weather
Big Band & Swing - Strangers In The Night
Big Band & Swing - String Of Pearls
Big Band & Swing - Summertime
Big Band & Swing - Take Five
Big Band & Swing - Tangerine
Big Band & Swing - Tenderly
Big Band & Swing - The Days Of Wine And Roses
Big Band & Swing - The Way You Look Tonight
Big Band & Swing - They Can't Take That Away
Big Band & Swing - Things Ain't What They Used To Be
Big Band & Swing - This Time The Dream's On Me
Big Band & Swing - Tommy Dorsey Boogie Woogie
Big Band & Swing - Tuxedo Junction
Big Band & Swing - Wave
Ella Fitzgerald - April in Paris
Ella Fitzgerald - September in the Rain
Ella Fitzgerald - Thats All
Frank Sinatra - Come Fly Away
Harry Belafonte - Jamaica Farewell
Jazz Crusaders - Mercy Mercy
Natalie Cole - Pink Cadillac
Sade - Smooth Operator
Sarah Vaughn - Someone to Watch Over Me
Sarah Vaughn - They Cant Take That Away From Mr. Summertime
Standards - 'Lil Darlin'
Standards - Acheson, Topeka & Santa Fe
Standards - Ain't Misbehavin'
Standards - Alexander's Ragtime Band
Standards - All Of Me
Standards - All The Things You Are
Standards - Alright, Okay
Standards - Anything Goes
Standards - As Time Goes By
Standards - Autumn Leaves
Standards - Baby, Baby I Love You
Standards - Begin The Beguine
Standards - Bill Bailey
Standards - Blue Skies
Standards - Caldonia
Standards - Cheek To Cheek
Standards - Cheek To Cheek
Standards - Days Of Wine And Roses
Standards - Deed I Do
Standards - Do Nothing Til You Hear From Me
Standards - Do You Know What Means Miss New Orleans
Standards - Early Autumn
Standards - Entertainer
Standards - Everyday I Have The Blues
Standards - Foggy Day
Standards - Georgia
Standards - Girl From Ipanema
Standards - Goody Goody
Standards - Got You Under My Skin
Standards - Honeysuckle Rose
Standards - I Could Write A Book
Standards - I Got Rhythm
Standards - I Wanna Be Around
Standards - I've Got You Under My Skin
Standards - It Had To Be You
Standards - Its Alright With Me
Standards - Jeepers Creepers
Standards - Lady Is A Tramp
Standards - Laura
Standards - Laura's Theme
Standards - Let The Good Times Roll
Standards - Maple Leaf Rag
Standards - Misty
Standards - Moon River
Standards - Moonlight In Vermont
Standards - My One And Only Love
Standards - My Romance
Standards - Nightingale Sang In Barclay Square
Standards - Old Black Magic
Standards - Our Love Is Here To Stay
Standards - Pardon My Southern Accent
Standards - Rhapsody In Blue
Standards - Since I Fell For You
Standards - Skylark
Standards - Solace
Standards - St. Thomas
Standards - Sunny Side Of The Street
Standards - Sweet Georgia Brown
Standards - Tangerine
Standards - Tequila
Standards - This Time The Dream's On Me
Standards - Travelin' Light - Motown, Oldies, and Beach
Ben E. King - Stand By Me
Chuck Berry - C'est La Vie
Chuck Berry - Johnny B. Goode
Chuck Berry - No Particular Place To Go
Coasters - Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye
Dobie Gray - Drift Away
Drifters - 39-21-40 Shape
Drifters - Spanish Harlem
Drifters - Under The Boardwalk
Elvis - All Shook Up
Elvis - Blue Suede Shoes
Elvis - Can't Help Fallin' In Love
Elvis - Don't Be Cruel
Elvis - Heartbreak Hotel
Four Tops - Can't Help Myself
Jerry Lee Lewis - Chantilly Lace
Jerry Lee Lewis - Great Balls Of Fire
Little Richard - Long Tall Sally
Nat King Cole - Route 66
Otis Redding - Dock Of The Bay
Ray Charles - Tell Me What I Say
Ray Charles - You Don't Know Me
Righteous Brothers - You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'
Sam & Dave - Bring It On Hometo Me
Sam & Dave - Soul Man
Sam & Dave - Sweet Soul Music
Sam Cooke - You Send Me
Temptations - Ain't Too Proud To Beg
Temptations - How Sweet It Is
Temptations - My Girl
Wilson Pickett - Knock On Wood
Wilson Pickett - Midnight Hour
Wilson Pickett - Mustang Sally - R&B, Funk, and Disco
Bill Withers - Lean On Me
James Brown - I Feel Good
James Brown - Living In America
James Brown - Papa's Got A Brand New Bag
James Brown - Try Me
Kool & The Gang - Celebration
Marvin Gaye - Heard It Through The Grapevine - Acoustic, Folk, and Blues
Billie Holiday - God Bless the Child
Bo Diddley - Can't Judge A Book By Looking At The Cover
Cat Stevens - Wild World
Etta James - At Last - Modern, Alternative, and Classic Rock
Average White Band - Pickin' Up The Pieces
Beatles - Act Naturally
Beatles - Back In The Ussr
Beatles - Day Tripper
Beatles - Hey Jude
Beatles - I Saw Her Standing There
Beatles - Lady Madonna
Beatles - Let It Be
Beatles - One After 109
Beatles - She Came In Through The Bathroom Window
Beatles - Something
Beatles - When I'm 64
Beatles - Yesterday
Billy Joel - Baby Grand
Billy Joel - Just The Way You Are
Billy Joel - New York State Of Mind
Billy Joel - Piano Man
Billy Joel - Rootbeer Rag
Billy Joel - She's Always A Woman
Blues Brothers - Sweet Home Chicago
Bob Seeger - Old Time Rook N Roll
Credence Clearwater - Proud Mary
Elton John - Crocodile Rock
Elton John - Daniel
Elton John - Rocket Man
Elton John - Tiny Dancer
Elton John - Your Song
Eric Ciapton - I Shot The Sheriff
Hall & Oates - Sarah Smile
Herbie Hancock - Maiden Voyage
Herbie Hancock - Watermelon Man
Jimmy Buffett - Margaritaville
Jimmy Buffett - Margaritaville
Jimmy Buffett - Pirate Looks At 40
Paul Simon - Bridge Over Troubled Waters
Paul Simon - Late In The Evening
Procol Harem - Whiter Shade At Pale
Rod Stewart - Have I Told You Lately
Steely Dan - Dirty Work
Steely Dan - My Old School
Steely Dan - Rikki Don't Lose That Number
Van Morrison - Brown Eyed Girl
Van Morrison - Domino
Van Morrison - Moon Dance - Other Songs
Joe Williams - 'Deed I Do
Joe Williams - Alright, Okay
Joe Williams - Drink Muddy Water
Johnny Rivers - Bright Sunshiny Day
Johnny Rivers - Rockin' Pneumonia
Maurice Williams - Stay
Michael Franks - Monkey See Monkey Do
Michael Franks - Mr. Blue
Michael Franks - Popsicle Toes
Mose Allison - Live The Life I Love, Love The Life I Live
Tony Orlando - He Don't Love You
Weather Report - Birdland