"Great playing…beautiful…a real guitar player"

Pat Martino

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

GUITAR FEST live streaming gig 05/12 2-3pm

nice gig at the GUITAR FEST this Saturday 2-3pm UK time, streamed live on Youtube here: 3) Saturday 5th – Chris Allard & Ross Stanley Session at 2pm (UK Time) https://youtu.be/D-ELM7q9WJU Chris Allard on guitar Ross Stanley on piano It’s free! But it’s... read more

GUITARFEST gig 5th December

Very pleased to be playing at the brand new Live Streaming Guitar Fest at 2pm on December 5th in duo with great pianist Ross Stanley.... read more

Charlie Wood at Ronnie Scott’s November 1st

Line-up: CHARLIE WOOD keys/vocals; CHRIS ALLARD guitar; DUDLEY PHILLIPS bass; NIC FRANCE (drums)Charlie Wood is a singer/songwriter and keyboardist whose work incorporates elements of jazz, blues, traditional r&b and popular music. Wood’s most recent album, a... read more

Suffolk Jazz School Guitar Workshop

Tuesday 16th June 7pm – 8.30pm. Looking forward to teaching this jazz guitar workshop – organised by the marvellous Suffolk Jazz School. ‘Guitarist Chris Allard will Improve your jazz guitar playing, drawing on material from greats including Joe... read more