Chris Tarry

33 year old Canadian bassist, composer, and producer Chris Tarry holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Berkley College Of Music in Boston. He is currently a faculty member at the Capilano College jazz studies program in North Vancouver and one of Canada’s busiest jazz musicians.

Chris is a two time 1998 & 1999 Juno award winner and a five time JUNO Award nominee. His recent nominations for Canada’s biggest music award came this year (2002) where Chris was nominated for two Juno’s in the same category “Best Contemporary Jazz album of the Year” for his solo album "Of Battles Unknown Mysteries" and his work with the groundbreaking Canadian super group Metalwood. Chris's latest solo album also won "Jazz album of the Year" at the 2001 Independent Music Awards.

Recently Chris was voted a runner up at the 2002 National Jazz Awards as bassist of the year along with Toronto acoustic greats Neil Swainson and Jim Vivian.

Chris is also a winner of the 1998, 1999 & 2000 West Coast Music award for Jazz album of the year and was a recipient of the 1999 & 2000 Jazz Report Magazine Award for Jazz group of the Year. He has also been nominated 1997 bassist of the year by Canadian Musician Magazine, nominated Musician of the Year at the 2001 & 2002 West Coast Music Awards, and was nominated best new artist for the Montreal jazz festivals Du Maurier Grand Jazz award in 1995.

An established sideman with a love for jazz Chris has worked and recorded with some of the top names in the Canadian and international music scene.

His work with John Scofield, Mino Cinelu, (Sting, Weather Report, Miles Davis), DJ Logic(Medeski Martin & Wood), three time JUNO award winner European blue note artist Tommy Smith, and New York based Drummer Ian Froman, has taken him across North America and abroad.

Chris has recorded and toured with various artists in all styles of music. His work as one of Vancouver's top side men has seen him share the stage with such Vancouver greats as Francois Houle, Dylan Vander Schyff, Brad Turner, Ron Samworth, Peggy Lee, Daryl Jahnke, Dave Robbins, Chris Gestrin, Randal Stoll, and Tony Wilson. Chris has studied with some of the top bass/jazz instructors in the world such as Charlie Banacos, John Patitucci, and Gary Willis.

His extensive study and experiences an electric bass specialist has lead to the completion of his first instructional book. The Bass Player Companion, Chris's commitment to teaching bass also lead to the formation of he Vancouver Bass Conference. An annual three-day workshop, Chris and three other top Vancouver players impress upon young bassists the importance of becoming a well-rounded musician.
Chris began producing music early in his career with the release of his four solo albums, Landscapes, Groups Project, Unition, and Sevyn. His production and writing credits continue with his work with such artists as Metalwood, Sponge, Vancouver Latin Ensemble, and Junction.