Born and raised on New York’s Long Island, Chris was surrounded by the harmonica
since his father had a harmonica trio of his own. He started playing at age nine and
began appearing with his father’s trio by thirteen. At sixteen, Chris placed third in a
worldwide harmonica competition and in 1987, placed fourth in a field of 27 at the
International Harmonica Federation competition, both times finishing as the highest
placed American harmonica player. Since then, Chris has performed at many venues
including B.B. Kings (guest artist for Dickey Betts), Kenny’s Castaways in New York,
and also the harmonica role in the play "Big River."
Chris is a regular contributing writer to The Harmonica Educator magazine on jazz
topics and continues to work on recording projects that exemplify jazz harmonica. He
also performs both in jazz trio or quartet settings, and as a soloist utilizing custom
backgrounds that provide the sound of a jazz ensemble.
since his father had a harmonica trio of his own. He started playing at age nine and
began appearing with his father’s trio by thirteen. At sixteen, Chris placed third in a
worldwide harmonica competition and in 1987, placed fourth in a field of 27 at the
International Harmonica Federation competition, both times finishing as the highest
placed American harmonica player. Since then, Chris has performed at many venues
including B.B. Kings (guest artist for Dickey Betts), Kenny’s Castaways in New York,
and also the harmonica role in the play "Big River."
Chris is a regular contributing writer to The Harmonica Educator magazine on jazz
topics and continues to work on recording projects that exemplify jazz harmonica. He
also performs both in jazz trio or quartet settings, and as a soloist utilizing custom
backgrounds that provide the sound of a jazz ensemble.
Simply put, Chris Bauer performs popular jazz standards on the chromatic harmonica
with a repertoire from upbeat bop tunes to cool Latin numbers to soulful ballads.
Playing harmonica for 40 years, his performance and recording experiences are
diverse including jazz gigs, harmonica trios, church worship bands, production library
tracks, even recording “Mack the Knife” with a reggae band! He performs and gives
harmonica technique seminars at many festivals around the country. His CD “Chris
Bauer and Friends – How High the Moon” has been featured on numerous jazz radio
stations and was heralded as “an outstanding project by an outstanding group of
musicians” by Jazz Connection Magazine.
with a repertoire from upbeat bop tunes to cool Latin numbers to soulful ballads.
Playing harmonica for 40 years, his performance and recording experiences are
diverse including jazz gigs, harmonica trios, church worship bands, production library
tracks, even recording “Mack the Knife” with a reggae band! He performs and gives
harmonica technique seminars at many festivals around the country. His CD “Chris
Bauer and Friends – How High the Moon” has been featured on numerous jazz radio
stations and was heralded as “an outstanding project by an outstanding group of
musicians” by Jazz Connection Magazine.
“Chris Bauer has both the
chops and the pedigree of a
bona fide jazzman. His
lineage speaks for itself and
confirms the old saying about
apples and trees. But beyond
the DNA, his playing swings
mightily and his solos are
inventive and satisfying.
Anyone not responding to the
music of Chris Bauer should
be checked for a pulse.”
Frank Dorritie, Producer,
Art Blakey, Cal Tjader
chops and the pedigree of a
bona fide jazzman. His
lineage speaks for itself and
confirms the old saying about
apples and trees. But beyond
the DNA, his playing swings
mightily and his solos are
inventive and satisfying.
Anyone not responding to the
music of Chris Bauer should
be checked for a pulse.”
Frank Dorritie, Producer,
Art Blakey, Cal Tjader
“Chris Bauer is one of the
most enjoyable Jazz
harmonica players I have
heard.” Ferdinand Maylin,
Jazz Now Interactive
most enjoyable Jazz
harmonica players I have
heard.” Ferdinand Maylin,
Jazz Now Interactive
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