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Chance Hayden
Always on the move as one of the Pacific Northwest’s most trusted string slingers, guitarist Chance Hayden has performed avidly since the mid-00s with wide recognition as a chameleon-like musician who fluidly adapts through the realms of jazz, blues, funk and soul. He continually splits duties as both a bandleader and sideman for diverse acclaimed artists such as Farnell Newton, Darrell Grant, Saeeda Wright, LaRhonda Steele, Shelly Rudolph, Lloyd Jones, John Primer, Mel Brown and Jarrod Lawson, with whom he has toured 15 countries. Hayden's albums Get Somethin’ (2018) and Grab & Go (2020) were followed by the stand-alone single Shag Bag (2022), which features iconic keyboardist Ronnie Foster (of 70s-era George Benson fame) and has garnered international acclaim as a classic groove piece sounding like an early to mid-70s CTI or Blue Note recording.
Most recently, Hayden centered his creative efforts around the seldom-featured baritone guitar with Baritone Gold (2024), a collection of a dozen 60s-inspired originals that span from surf to soul-blues with classic soundtrack vibes. This latest release commences Hayden’s own record label, Peace House Music, which will connect the dots in relaunching his earlier Peace House Sessions video series, which spotlighted Mark Lettieri, Liv Warfield, Lindsey Webster, Steve Swatkins and many more. As a composer and producer, Hayden’s works have been featured in major motion pictures and television including the Sony Pictures #1 box office film The Perfect Guy, the BET series Being Mary Jane, The Cowboy Channel and with top brands such as LANDR and Red Bull Music.
Awards
Outstanding Musician Award - Clark College Jazz Festival 2004
Outstanding Musician Award - Mt. Hood Jazz Festival 2004
Outstanding Musician Award - Reno Jazz Festival 2005
Outstanding Musician Award - Clackamas Community College Jazz Festival 2005
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Chance Hayden: Baritone Gold
by Geno Thackara
Someone with a musical personality as bright as Chance Hayden's does not need much of a reason to throw a party. If past recordings are anything to go by, the fellow is already willing and eager to kick off a fun rocking jam session at the drop of a hat. This particular occasion was sparked by getting his hands on a baritone guitar and imagining how the instrument would probably have been used at its peak of popularity in the ...
Continue ReadingChance Hayden: Shag Bag
by Geno Thackara
Warm springtime, sunshine, good friends—it must be time for a party. Chance Hayden is certainly feeling the joy and ready to kick off something fun. Working around pandemic restrictions left him and his colleagues ready to bounce and blow off some steam, and bagging (sorry) the iconic Ronnie Foster on keys made the perfect funk-fusion topping. The standalone single “Shag Bag" packs a drum-and-conga groove to get the backyard shaking, slathers on a dash of bright horns, then ties it ...
Continue ReadingChance Hayden: Get Somethin'
by Geno Thackara
From first bikes to first apartments and beyond, there's nothing quite like that initial time stepping out on your own--a certain kind of excitement that comes with finally being in charge and able to set the rules. Chance Hayden's label debut comes years after an early self-released recording, several albums' worth of sideman service and a range of touring and production/arranging work. All those years of study and woodshedding are in evidence on the fast-cooking Get Somethin,' buoyed a little ...
Continue Reading"Hayden's string-slinging fluidly dances with energetic licks... equally fit for a hot club date or a neighborhood block party." -All About Jazz
"Adventurous, no-holds-barred sensibility with both bluesy grit and modern-jazz finesse." -Jazz Society Of Oregon
"As gifted as Hayden proves to be as a guitarist, his work as a producer is equally, maybe even more remarkable." -Glide Magazine
"Supremely supple jazz-funk" -Echoes Magazine
"Tight Grooves from Chance Hayden... a player who definitely knows how to get a lot of tone and color out of his instrument." -Dusty Groove
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Close Enough
From: The Way We LoveBy Chance Hayden
Get Somethin'
From: Get Somethin'By Chance Hayden
