Chris Jentsch is a Brooklyn-based composer, bandleader, and guitarist working primarily in jazz and contemporary improvisational forms.
As a composer, he has been the recipient of grants or commissions from the Maelstrom Percussion Ensemble, the Penfield Commission Project, American Composers Forum (2), the Composers Assistance Program of the American Music Center (2), Meet the Composer, New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), Ucross Foundation, and The Commission Project. Currently Jentsch is in production for a Jentsch Group Quartet recording: Fractured Pop.
As a bandleader and sideman Jentsch has performed throughout the Northeast and Florida, and he has worked with such diverse musical personalities as George Russell, John Cage, Maria Schneider, Ira Sullivan, Harvie S, Chris Wood, Bill McHenry, Chris Cheek, and Vince Mendoza. He appears as a guitarist on the CD John Cage, Volume 11 (Mode Records 41).
Based in New York City since 1999, his main ensemble is Jentsch Group in its trio, quartet, chamber, or large configuration. He has performed at many leading NYC venues, among them the Cornelia Street Café, Barbès, World Turning Festival (Medicine Show Theatre), Symphony Space, Tea Lounge, the Knitting Factory, and the Kitchen.
He has earned critical acclaim for his performances and CDs. AllAboutJazz says: "Jentsch is more than just a seasoned musician; he's a composer who can convey his ideas on a grand scale" and in reference to Brooklyn Suite, DownBeat Magazine said that he “…created a contrasted and kaleidoscopic patchwork with marvelous melodies, splendid voicings and a skillful use of dynamics.”
Jentsch has released four CDs as a leader: Media Event, with his trio (1998); Miami Suite (1999), with original works for large jazz ensemble; Brooklyn Suite (Fleur de Son Records, 2007), which esteemed jazz critic Howard Mandel describes in the latest album’s liner notes: “Brooklyn Suite [is] Chris Jentsch's sublime set of interwoven themes and expansive movements for guitar and orchestra…” Cycles Suite for Jentsch Group Large (Fleur de Son Records, 2009) featured trumpeter Mike Kaupa.
Jentsch holds liberal arts and jazz guitar degrees from Gettysburg College, the New England Conservatory, the Eastman School of Music, and he earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Jazz Composition from the University of Miami. He is published by the University of Northern Colorado Press, Advance Music, Fleur de Son Records, and eREALBOOK.com. www.ChrisJentsch.com