Chris Standring (born 1 December 1960) is a British jazz guitarist known for his heavy use of 1970s-style musical nuances. Before launching his solo career with his 1998 album Velvet, he represented a third of the band SolarSystem, a band that combined elements of jazz and hip-hop.

Solo career

His solo debut Velvet was followed two years later by Hip Sway, co-produced with Rodney Lee. Groovalicious followed in 2003, then Soul Express in 2006. Love & Paragraphs (2008) spawned the title track hit radio single. Blue Bolero spawned the hit single "Bossa Blue" which went to No. 1 on contemporary radio across the US and stayed there for nine consecutive weeks. "Bossa Blue" was named 2010 Billboard contemporary jazz track of the year. Electric Wonderland was released on 20 March 2012.

Strandring continues to release new material regularly. "Change the World" from Simple Things (2022) and "Top Hat & Tails" from As We Think (2024) both reached No. 1 in the Smooth Jazz Airplay chart. Time of Change (2026) is his 18th full length solo album.

Discography

Studio albums

yeartitlelabelnotes
1989Main CourseUltimate Vibethe early tapes, recorded 1989, released 2011
1996Solar SystemSonic Imagesrecorded as the 'Solar System' group
1998VelvetInstinct
2000Hip SwayInstinct
2003GroovaliciousPyramid Media Group
2006Soul ExpressTrippin n Rhythmreissued on Ultimate Vibe in 2018
2008Love & ParagraphsUltimate VibeStandring's own label
2010Blue BoleroUltimate Vibe
2011Send Me Some SnowUltimate Vibefeaturing Kathrin Shorr
2012Electric WonderlandUltimate Vibe
2014Don't Talk, Dance!Ultimate Vibe
2016TenUltimate Vibe
2018SunlightUltimate Vibe
2020Real LifeUltimate Vibe
2021Wonderful WorldUltimate VibeChris Standring Trio & Orchestra
2022Simple ThingsUltimate Vibe
2022Silent NightUltimate Vibe
2024As We ThinkUltimate Vibe
2026Time of ChangeUltimate Vibe

Live albums

yeartitlelabelnotes
2017Live in LondonUltimate Vibe

Compilation albums

yeartitlelabelnotes
2014Collector's Series
2019Best of Chris Standring – RemixedUltimate Vibe
2023The Lovers Remix CollectionUltimate Vibe

Charted albums

YearTitlePeak chart positionsLabel
US JazzUS Con. Jazz
2006Soul Express4420Trippin n Rhythm
2008Love and Paragraphs157Ultimate Vibe
2010Blue Bolero24
2012Electric Wonderland154
2014Don't Talk, Dance!104
2016Ten125
2018Sunlight71
2019Best of Chris Standring – Remixed2411
2020Real Life12
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

Charted singles

YearTitlePeak chart positionsAlbum
Smooth Jazz Airplay
2006"I Can't Help Myself"18Soul Express
2008"Love & Paragraphs"2Love and Paragraphs
"Have Your Cake & Eat It"15
2010"Bossa Blue"1Blue Bolero
"Fast Train to Everywhere"14
2012"Oliver's Twist"1Electric Wonderland
"Pandora's Box"10
2014"Sneakin' Out the Front Door"1Don't Talk, Dance!
"Imagine That"15
2016"Ready Steady Flow"2Ten
"Soul Vibration"2
2017"Like This, Like That"1
"Category A" (Cindy Bradley featuring Chris Standring)1Natural – (Cindy Bradley)
"Piccadilly Circus" (Paul Brown featuring Chris Standring)1One Way Back – (Paul Brown)
2018"Love Street"6Sunlight
"Like Paradise"15
2019"Static in the Attic"9
"Kaleidoscope (2019)"4Best of Chris Standring – Remixed
2020"Is There a Doctor in the House?"1Real Life
"Shake You Up"1
2021"Whatever She Wants"8
2022"Change the World"1Simple Things
"Shadow of Doubt"13
2023"Face to Face"21
"Liquid Soul (Lovers Remix)"6The Lovers Remix Collection
2024"Alphabet Soup"7As We Think
2025"Top Hat & Tails"1
"Chocolate Shake"2

External links