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Chris Coyle

Chris Coyle is a bassist, composer and music educator based in Philadelphia, PA

About Me

As a very active performer, Chris can be found in an array of musical settings, including Jazz (with groups like Vaux Taux and Outside Sound, and with noted musicians such as John Swana, Behn Gillece, Doug Hirlinger, Matt Scarano, V. Shayne Frederick, and others), Americana (Fish Harmonics, Noggin Hill, Lady Bird), Experimental (Son Step, NotSoSilentCinema, Rhinoceri Trio) and World Music (Oscuro Quintet, Conjunto Philadelphia, West Philadelphia Orchestra). Chris is also a member of the renowned chamber ensemble Relache. As a composer, Chris has been recognized by the American Composers Forum, the McKnight Foundation, and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. Chris has performed and done workshops all over the Midwest and Northeast US, in Canada, Germany, and South Korea.

My Jazz Story

I love jazz because it has multiple dimensions to it, each of which can expand our consciousness. It is cultural music, with a unique history and important roots. Its sounds open up our ears to different, sometimes complex, musical ideas and tonalities and rhythms. And its performance often demands improvisation, trust, and real-time democracy.