In a rather noisy back room at London’s Pizza Express Jazz Club, Geoff chews the fat with ‘soul’ jazz guitarist Chris Standring before a gig.

Native Brit Chris has just flown in from LA for a series of concerts in London and reminisces about his dilemmas as a frustrated young jazz guitarist looking to make it as a solo artist. Chris reveals the pivotal moment when a friend’s casual observation – “You’ve got more gigs in LA than you’ve got over here” – prompted him to permanently relocate to America in 1991. “I slept on that overnight and by the morning I had decided not to come back”.

He candidly discusses his early influences, from classical guitar studies to the transformative impact of hearing players like Larry Carlton at iconic venues such as The Baked Potato in North Hollywood. His introduction to the ‘smooth' jazz scene came through unexpected friendships and collaborations, gradually leading to recording contracts and his emergence as a distinctive voice within contemporary jazz.

Chris talks frankly about everything from a guitar lesson with Pat Martino, lucky breaks and jam sessions in LA, to his evolving jazz vocabulary. Chris also treats us to a couple of spontaneous improvised choruses in the style of Victor Young’s ‘Stella By Starlight’.

Whether you’re a dedicated jazz aficionado or simply appreciate stories of artistic perseverance, subscribe now to catch more candid conversations with today's most exciting jazz artists.

Presenter: Geoff Gascoyne
Series Producer: Paul Sissons
Production Manager: Martin Sissons
The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast is a UK Music Apps production.