Bio

Chris Colby is an American musician, singer-songwriter, guitarist: Rock, prog, power-pop, the works!
 

4x GRAMMY Consideration - 63rd Grammy Awards

 
Chris is known for his work as a performer, producer, songwriter, educator and recording artist. Chris studied guitar under Grammy-award winning guitarist David Cullen and recorded Jay Umble’s Spirit Crossing album. His live performances share the hallmarks of bands such as the Grateful Dead: evolving setlists as well as some improvisational explorations. Songs from his Sun Debut album appear in Walt Disney Productions’ television series Hollywood Lives. 

As a producer and songwriter, Colby’s collaborations with pop stars across the MENA (Middle East / North Africa) region helped launch a digital media platform serving the entire region. Collaborations with Rouwaida Attieh, Aline Lahoud and DJ Osane produced several hit songs and music videos with Rouwaida Attieh’s “Kawn Jdeed” receiving a music video award in Egypt. 

Notable musicians appearing on Chris Colby’s studio albums include: Jamey Haddad (Paul Simon), Clyde Lucas (Illinois Jacquet, Ray Charles) and Robin Diaz (KISS, Courtney Love, Live, Train, O.A.R., Daughtry). Chris’ album Begin was mastered by Grammy award-winning engineer Steve Fallone at Sterling Sound, New York. 

Recent projects include the release of an anniversary edition of the Gandy Dancers album.

Current activities include the release of his latest album Chris Colby - II,  the completion of an album of 21st-century classical piano variations and a return to the stage.

He holds the distinction of being granted permission by Ann Druyan / Cosmos Studios to honor Carl Sagan’s contributions in his song “These Thoughts Will Change My Mind” which appears on the latest album.

Listen while you read....

About

Chris Colby is a singer-songwriter / guitarist who presents original music and live performances best described as a pop-oriented version of the Grateful Dead crossed with elements of jazz, pop, prog, funk and world-beat.

Performing solo-acoustic as well as electric with a full-band, Chris Colby's music has been favorably compared to Coldplay, Lindsey Buckingham, Todd Rundgren, Dave Matthews, David Bowie, The Beatles, Phish, Paul Simon, Sting, Jeff Beck, Genesis, Rolling Stones.

Both new and strangely familiar simultaneously. Challenging and comforting all at once.

Obeisance is not surrender. 

Learn Guitar with chris

Colby’s latest project - The Joy of Jamming - brings his expert knowledge to a much wider audience of students via Video Guitar Lessons Online. His kind, bubbly and friendly disposition, calming demeanor and positive, encouraging delivery has him being hailed as ‘The Bob Ross of Music.’ 

He earned his B.A. in Music Performance (cum laude) from Susquehanna University and also completed his advanced studies at Musician’s Institute in Hollywood, California. 

As a Recording Artist: Notable musicians appearing on Colby’s studio albums include: Jamey Haddad (Paul Simon), Clyde Lucas (Illinois Jacquet, Ray Charles) and Robin Diaz (KISS, Courtney Love, Live, Train, O.A.R., Daughtry), Grammy award-winning engineer Steve Fallone (Taylor Swift, Bob Dylan, Sonic Youth, The Strokes, Norah Jones, Charlie Parker). 

Songs from his Sun Debut album appear in Walt Disney Productions’ television series Hollywood Lives.  

As a producer and songwriter, Colby collaborated with pop stars across the Mediterranean / MENA (Middle East / North Africa) Regions. Collaborations with Rouwaida Attieh, Aline Lahoud and DJ Osane produced several hit songs and music videos with Rouwaida Attieh’s “Kawn Jdeed” receiving a music video award in Egypt.
 

CREDENTIALS: 

  • Susquehanna University - B.A. Music Performance (cum laude) 
  • Musician's Institute - Hollywood, CA - Advanced Studies 
  • Berklee College of Music - Boston, MA - Summer Sessions - Advanced Placement 
  • Presenter and Lecturer at PennAEYC and NAEYC Conferences 
  • Private guitar instruction 25+ years 
  • Lebanon Valley College - Community Music Institute

 

Absolute beginners are WELCOME! Even if you don’t know the first thing about guitar, you will be patiently and carefully guided through your first steps.