Chris Allard is a freelance guitarist based in London. He has performed at major venues including the Royal Albert Hall, the Pyramids and Great Sphinx (Cairo), the Barbican, Montreux Jazz Festival, Ronnie Scott’s, Nuremberg Festival, Hackney Empire, O2 Arena London, Midem Festival Cannes, Friends of Jordan Festival, The Queen Elizabeth Hall, Beiteddine Arts Festival (Lebanon), Edinburgh Festival, Bahrain Spring of Culture Festival, Duoro Jazz Festival (Portugal), The Royal Festival Hall. He has also played live on TV and radio, and appeared on numerous albums.
Chris has performed/recorded with Jacqui Dankworth, Sheridan Smith, Charlie Wood, Gwyneth Herbert, Dave O’Higgins, Dame Cleo Laine, Sir John Dankworth, Omar Kamal, Jamie Cullum, Mike Walker, Lea Salonga, Steve Furst, Gwilym Simcock, the BBC Big Band, Steve Waterman to name a few.
He also leads his own group, which has performed at festivals and respected venues in the UK and Europe including the International Guitar Festival, Ronnie Scott’s, Bonington Theatre, Maison Musique Torino Italy, the Pizza Express Jazz Club Soho, London, has had press and radio-play as far afield as Portugal and Los Angeles and received critical acclaim including four stars in Guitarist.
Invisible Landscape was released in July 2016 on independent label Perdido Records, with a launch gig at Pizza Express Dean St in London. Chris’s fourth album as a bandleader, it received excellent reviews; praised for impeccable performances, and a distinctive melodic gift.
‘a non-cliched linear improviser of great originality and talent…an excellent recording of modern music full of variety, intensity and interest.’ Jazzviews
‘In an age of instant downloads and short attention spans, ‘Invisible Landscape’ is a brave album built on artistic integrity, framed by Allard’s inventive musical vision and realized by the band’s technical and improvisational excellence’ ★★★★ Get Ready to Rock
"One of the great guitarists in this country"
Jamie Cullum
News
Suffolk Jazz School 2020
https://suffolkjazzschool.co.uk Looking forward to the second year of teaching on this very nice course: MORE GREAT TUITION IN IPSWICH BY TOP JAZZ MUSICIANS An accessible and supportive course for intermediate and advanced players and singers. WINTER JAZZ COURSE... read moreTour with Lea Salonga
Throughout July 2019 touring the UK with amazing singer Lea Salonga – a huge name in musical theatre; the original Miss Saigon amongst many other things… and also the voice of Jasmin in Alladin and other Disney movie starring roles. ... read moreConcert at St Mary’s Church, Wivenhoe, on Friday 19th July 2019
A Summer Jazz Concert with Chris Allard and Friends, featuring award-winning pianist John Turville. with Oli Hayhurst on bass and Chris Higginbottom on drums 7.30pm... read moreCollabro: road to the Royal Albert Hall tour 2019
Chris is currently playing guitar on 52 date tour with Britain’s Got Talent winners Collabro – ‘the world’s most successful musical theatre group in concert’ read moreSuffolk Jazz School 19-22 feb 2019
Looking forward to teaching on the first year of this alongside some great musicians. It should be really informative and fun, is really well-organised and put together – at great premises in Ipswich, Suffolk. It’s selling well but spaces are still... read moreUpcoming Gigs
| Date | Artist | City | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04/02/20 | Chris Allard | London | The Troubadour |
| Time: 8:00pm. | |||
| 08/02/20 | BBC Big Band | Hoddesdon | Spotlight Theatre |
| Time: 7:30pm. | |||
| 09/02/20 | BBC Big Band | Aberdeen | Aberdeen Performing Arts |
| Time: 7:30pm. Address: Music Hall. | |||
| 28/02/20 | Ben Crosland Quintet plays the Ray Davies Songbook | Orpington,, Kent, | Orpington Jazz Club |
| Time: 8:00pm. Address: Orpington Liberal Club, 7 Station Road,. | |||
| 13/03/20 | Alec Dankworth’s Spanish Accents | Goring on Thames | Goring Jazz Club |
| Time: 8:00pm. Address: Goring on Thames. | |||
| 25/03/20 | Ben Crosland Quintet plays the Ray Davies Songbook | Stratford-upon-Avon | STRATFORD PLAY HOUSE |
| Time: 8:00pm. Address: 14 Rother Street. | |||
