Chris Flegg
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Chris Flegg is a singer, guitarist and songwriter based in St Albans, UK, who has produced a number of albums, some of which feature songs in a contemporary folk style and some which have instrumental jazz tracks, with albums of both styles getting radio play, mainly on local UK radio stations.
Background
[edit]Originally from Eastleigh in Hampshire, Flegg moved to London to graduate in physics from Imperial College in 1970, becoming involved first with Imperial College Folk Club and the Troubadour Folk Club where he became coresident with Redd Sullivan[1] and Martin Winsor[2] which is remembered in his song Troubadour Cafe.[3] This started his song writing and solo work and at the same time he took an interest in jazz, notably through a chance meeting with a guitarist called Diz Disley.[4] After leaving college, jazz tended to have a greater influence with London-based bands ranging from a Hot Club style acoustic band to mainstream combo and Dixieland bands such as Dick Laurie's Elastic Band.[5]
Once he had moved to St Albans in 2000 he discovered the remnants of the folk scene through meeting singer/guitarist John Breeze[6] and became resident at John's Windward Folk Club alongside songwriter George Papavgeris[7] and this rekindled his urge to write songs. Currently[when?] he plays local gigs with his jazz trio Mellowtone[8] and solo gigs including folk clubs. He has also fundraised for charity by busking in support of the British Heart Foundation.[9]
Albums
[edit]A back catalogue of compositions written as a vehicle for jazz improvisation led in 2000 to a jazz quartet album of original tunes, Moving On.[10] On the folk side, a retrospective album in 2004 of covers and originals, Solo,[11] was followed by three albums of newly written original songs, My Sweet Lady,[12] Through The Window[13] and The Sound Of Life.[14][15]
In 2009, Flegg recorded a jazz album called Her Favourite Flower,[16][17] playing jazz standards plus a few original instrumentals, with bassist John Rees Jones, and a solo guitar instrumental album called My Green Guitar,[18] playing a range of material from Cavatina to Round Midnight. A new album for 2010 called Time Precious Time[19] featured original songs with instrumental backing from Vicki Swan and Jonny Dyer[20] as well as harmonica solos from Steve Lockwood.[21][22] This was followed in 2013 by Gazing At The Stars All Night,[23][24] again with original material and in 2015 by The Road To The Rainbow's End.[25]
Radio play
[edit]Tracks from the folk oriented albums Through The Window and The Sound Of Life are frequently listed in play lists for local stations such as the Folk Show on Radio Argyll.[26] The jazz oriented albums such as Her Favourite Flower similarly have tracks listed in playlists for jazz programs such as John Hellings Jazz Show on Midlands BBC.[27]
Instruments
[edit]For acoustic and folk gigs Flegg favours Gibson and Martin guitars, recording using mainly a green Gibson L-4A acoustic and a Martin OMC41 (Richie Sambora signature model). For jazz, he uses a Les Paul Custom or a Gibson L-5 as shown on the cover of the album Her Favourite Flower.[16] The green Gibson L-4A acoustic is also featured on the My Green Guitar album.[18] Flegg has also experimented with alto and soprano sax and Anglo concertina to add colour to recordings of new songs.[citation needed]
References
[edit]- ^ "Redd Sullivan - Biography & History". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 21 June 2024. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
- ^ "Obituary: Martin Winsor". The Independent. 10 August 1992. Archived from the original on 15 July 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
- ^ Pat Tynan Media (29 November 2008). "Chris Flegg 'Troubadour Café'". YouTube. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021.
- ^ "Pat Tynan Media". Pattynanmedia.com. Archived from the original on 30 May 2009. Retrieved 5 May 2010.
- ^ "Dick Laurie & The Elastic Band at The Half Moon (London) on 25 Nov 2012". Last.fm. Archived from the original on 13 April 2019. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
- ^ "Windward Folk Song Club". Windwardfc.org.uk.
- ^ "George Papavgeris - singing the praises of ordinary people". Folk4all.net. Archived from the original on 8 September 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
- ^ "Mellowtone Jazz Trio - live music in the Hertfordshire and London Area". Mellowtone.co.uk. Archived from the original on 30 September 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
- ^ "busking in St Albans". Stalbansbusking.blogspot.com. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
- ^ "Coming Back Soon". Chrisflegg.com. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
- ^ "Coming Back Soon". Chrisflegg.com. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
- ^ "Coming Back Soon". Chrisflegg.com. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
- ^ "Coming Back Soon". Chrisflegg.com. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
- ^ "Coming Back Soon". Chrisflegg.com. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
- ^ "A to Z Album Reviews". NetRhythms.co.uk. Archived from the original on 7 August 2010. Retrieved 18 August 2010.
- ^ a b "Coming Back Soon". Chrisflegg.com. Archived from the original on 29 July 2013. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
- ^ "Her Favourite Flower - Chris Flegg Album Review by Elly Roberts". Allgigs.co.uk. 10 November 2008. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2010.
- ^ a b "Coming Back Soon". Chrisflegg.com. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
- ^ "Coming Back Soon". Chrisflegg.com. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
- ^ "Home". Swan-dyer.co.uk. Archived from the original on 6 October 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
- ^ "Steve Lockwood". Steve-lockwood.com. Archived from the original on 19 November 2024. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
- ^ "Steve Lockwood – Musician – Composer – Performer – Harmonica Teacher – Musician – Composer – Performer – Harmonica Teacher". Steve-lockwood.com. Archived from the original on 20 July 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
- ^ "Coming Back Soon". Chrisflegg.com. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
- ^ ":: CMR Nashville Radio :: Chris Flegg 'Gazing At The Stars All Night'". Cmrnashville.com. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
- ^ "Coming Back Soon". Chrisflegg.com. Archived from the original on 19 May 2024. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
- ^ "Argyll FM: Folk Show | Come to Campbeltown". Archived from the original on 11 June 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-18. Radio Argyll playlist
- ^ "BBC - Playlists from John Hellings Jazz Show on Midlands BBC". BBC News. 12 January 2010. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2010.