Biography of Chris Peirce

Chris studied classical piano from the age of 8. He later switched to pipe organ, and before completing his degree in music he also discovered jazz. After a brief period playing alto sax in a quintet, Chris settled on acoustic guitar - inspired by the music of Isaac Guillory. As well as performing in a duo with Kirsten Winter, he teaches in West London.

Since meeting at the Cheltenham International Jazz Festival in 2000 the duo has played at a variety of jazz clubs, arts centres, theatres and festivals. Audiences across England have been held spellbound by the sensitivity and spontaneity with which Kirsten and Chris treat their material. Contemporary songs sit alongside blues and jazz standards. The parts that a whole band would normally play are condensed to a weave of intimate vocals and complex, moody guitar. ‘They kept their audience spellbound throughout the whole performance with an extraordinary range and an electric performance’ (Greenbelt Arts Festival).

They produced an album in 2002 entitled ‘any day now’ and have just released their next – ‘invent some memories’.