When Google book an artist for their event, someone described as ‘changing the perceived boundaries of the acoustic guitar’, you know you aren’t talking about your average musician.
A Guitar explorer and innovative collaborator. Chris Woods, recording as ‘The Chris Woods Groove Orchestra’, uses every inch of the guitar to create an inspirational sound in a diverse mix of lineups…
From pop-up guitar orchestras comprised of people who have never met, to working with interactive live electronics. From collaborations with Indian classical virtuosos, or jazz, pop and rock musicians to the simplicity of solo acoustic guitar – the sounds he creates are always unique.
Most recently his solo show ‘The Chris Woods Groove Orchestra’ billed as a ‘one man show of epic proportions’ won the best instrumentalist at The Buxton Fringe.
And his band line up was recently described as…
‘tremendous – to say Chris Woods feels this music is a wild understatement, and it’s a genuine privilege to witness him perform’ (by Headliner Magazine).
The Story
A guitarist, composer, performer, producer, and an educator. Chris Woods began his career in the guitar world as an in-demand demo musician for innovative music brands around 2011. His unique approach and charismatic performances helped him quickly begin touring across the globe appearing at festivals including Glastonbury Festival (UK) across to the likes of the Mikulášsky Jazz festival in Slovakia, with performances in art houses, theatres and even prestigious on stage shows at the likes of the NAMM show in LA.
Endorsed by the most acclaimed brands he honed his skills on the stage. He was approached by Hal Leonard to write a comprehensive guide on the percussive style, it quickly became the standard ‘how to play’ percussive guitar publication. As a result Chris’ reputation instantly grew internationally and became very highly regarded.
With a growing and loyal following behind him Chris set about writing the debut album. Determined to create an emotional work, that showed percussive guitar playing as a serious creative storytelling tool, Chris toured his new compositions relentlessly. Traveling to the US, Europe and what seemed like every corner of Britain and Ireland, refining the pieces to reach out to audiences as effectively as possible. After two years of touring, in 2013 Chris went into the studio and recorded something very special indeed, the product of two years hard work; ‘Stories for Solo Guitar’…
Soon after the solo album launch one of the worlds most popular stomp boxes the award winning ‘Pro-Log’ by Logjam was launched as a signature Chris Woods stomp box, which found its way in to music shops across the globe often beside his Hal Leonard Publication.
Alongside continued touring he started the London Guitar Night at the historic Troubadour in 2013, which continues to this day at the new home of Woodberry Wetlands in Hackney. By 2014 the night, which inspired a host of similar events globally, was a regular haunt for incredible creative musicians from locals to passing touring artists. It was fertile ground for Chris to explore new ideas and collaborations of every shape and size.
Sometimes working with those visiting world class musicians but increasingly working with the general public to form pop-up guitar ensembles’s. Employing his skills in minimalist composition and unique understanding of the possibilities of the guitar.
Guitar Revolution was the flagship project that changed everything. Publishing a score in 2016, made up of four parts, from beginner to advance, in Acoustic Guitar Magazine and inviting players to join on stage the London Olympia. The performance was over-subscribed and far exceeded expectations.
The concept went on to be a national tour in 2017 sponsored by the prestigious Martin Guitars. From then The Chris Woods Groove Orchestra enjoyed a string of game changing commissions for genre bending, innovative, guitar ensemble works and performances in 2018, 2019 and even in 2020 including SIXSTRING SPEKTRUM and CAPO EVOLUTION all alongside his regular international touring.
His compositions then went on to find their way into the London College of Music grade books released in 2020 and he was invited to create two new publications for Hal Leonard First 15 Lesson – Fingerstyle Guitar and Fifty First Fingerstyle Patterns You Should Learn on Guitar . His release of ‘In Pariedolia’ in 2019 was a demonstration of the sheer creative power of ‘the Chris Woods Groove Orchestra’ and re-affirmed his unique composition and playing ability.
Throughout 2021 and 2022 Chris released a huge range of exciting works collaborating with the inspirational brands Elixir Strings, Boss and Ableton.