Chris Neville

Chris is an exciting pianist who has attracted much attention through his work with Benny Carter. He has long been a favorite of audiences performing and accompanying luminaries such as Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Stitt and Al Cohn. Neville has also had extensive experience in the orchestras of Broadway musicals.
 
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There comes a time with many jazz musicians when they have raised the level of their playing to such a degree that they make the transition from "player" to "artist." Pianist Chris Neville is one who has made that transition, as is demonstrated by this superb new release. Neville's playing is such that his solos are like stories, complete with an introduction, a powerfw climax and complete end; where the lines build and grow exponentially and where the phrasing is very compositional in nature. On this mostly trio CD, with the equally-superb rhythm tandem of James Cammack on bass and Dave Bowler on drums, Neville essays nine standards and three originals with thoughtful artistry.
Alan Chase, Portsmouth (N.H.) Herald 2000

Devotees of Hank Jones and Tommy Flanagan will enjoy Chris Neville's album, his first as a leader. Chris shares their general approach to the piano ... embellishes the harmonies with his delicate touch and lets the song evoke the emotions that were intended. (He) keeps your interest with a hundred ideas, and never forgets to swing.

Robert Tate, Jazz Now 1995

Benny Carter/Phil Woods -Another lyme, Another Place (Evening Star)

... the surprise hero of ["The Courtship"] is Neville, whose piano work on this disc ought to give him some spotlights on his career. The man knows what the piano can do and how his fmgers can make it fffl its total potential. Considering that he's also in support of contemporary giants, that he can measure up in his solos is amazing. Listen to him ... in "Rock Me to Sleep" for further adulation.
Rapport, volume 19 number 3 (1996)

The disc's band, including Chris Neville on piano ... is a joy to hear, especially Neville's wonderfully melodic keyboard lines...Neville is wonderful behind Dianne Reeves [on "We Were in Love"].

Philip Elwood, San Francisco Examiner (March 8, 1996)
Chris Neville Recordings

Chris Neville- Look, Stop, and Listen (Evening Star) 1999
Benny Carter- Songbook Vol-2 (MusieMasters) 1997
Benny Carter- New York Nights (MusicMasters) 1997
Benny Carter & Phil Woods- Another Time, Another Place (Evening Star)
1996 Benny Carter- Songbook (MusieMasters) 1996
Dan Weiner- Exchanges (Brownstone) 1996
Greg Abate & Richie Cole- Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (Candid) 1995
Chris Neville- From the Greenhouse (Evening Star) 1994
Billy Novick- Suing So Softly (Daring/Rounder) 1993
Benny Carter- Legends (MusicMasters) 1993
Benny Carter- Harlem Renaissance (MusicMasters) 1992 [1993 GRAMMY winner]
Benny Carter & Phil Woods- My Man Benny, My Man Phil (MusicMasters)
1990 David Mallett- For a Lifetime (Flying Fish) 1988
David Mallett- Vital Signs (Flying Fish) 1986

Tours

Benny Carter- USA 1988-98, Japan 1995, Germany & Thailand
1996 David Mallett (Music Director)- USA & Canada 1983-92
Artie Shaw Orchestra- USA 1992-95, Taiwan & Hong Kong 1994

Concert Performances

Sonny Stitt, Dizzy Gillespie, Al Cohn, Claudio Roditi, Mark Murphy, Nick Brignola, John LaPorta, Richie Cole, Chuck Findley, Alan Dawson, Herb Pomeroy, Dick Johnson, Steve Nelson, Phil Woods, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Plas Johnson, Warren Vach6, Jimmy Heath, Greg Abate, Bobby Shew, Joe Wilder, Scott Hamilton, Clark Terry

Theater

o Musical Director
Ferdinand Faithful (Produced by Arts at St. Ann's; Brooklyn, NY) 1995

o National Tour
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Livent/ Donny Osmond)
Keyboard I or 2, Cast Rehearsals 1995-96

o Local Hire for National Tours
Keyboard I- Showboat, Fosse, Annie
Keyboard 2- Evita, The Will Rogers Follies, A Chorus Line, Catskills on Broadway, Grease, Dreamgirls, Annie, Peter Pan, Beauty & the Beast, VictorIVictoria, Jekyll &Hyde, Titanic, Fosse

o Regional Equity
Keyboard I- Singin'in the Rain, Chess, South Pacific, Rage of the Heart Keyboard 2- Guys & Dolls, Grand Hotel, Oklahoma, Into the Woods, Nunsense 2

Cabaret and Show Acts

Moody Blues, Connie Francis, Lesley Gore, Jim Bailey, Ink Spots, The Coasters, Stars of the Lawrence Welk Show, Bobby Vinton, Smokey Robinson, Mary Cleere Haran, Marlene Ver Planck, Frank Gorshin, Bob Newhart, Bobby Rydell, Michael Crawford, Aretha Franklin, Jerry Vale, Al Martino, Joni Mitchell