Bio
MUSIC: Professional musician in the DC-area for the past 33 years. Main instruments are baritone and tenor saxophones. Founding member of roots rock band The Grandsons. Toured nationally and internationally, and has performed at many prestigious venues/events including: The Kennedy Center, The Lincoln Center, The White House, Wolf Trap, Warner Theater, 930 Club, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Has performed with numerous R&B legends such as: Lloyd Price, Ben E. King, Jerry Butler, Gene Chandler, Howard Tate, the Spinners, the Chiffons, Carla Thomas, Earl King, Ruth Brown, James Hunter, Ronnie Spector, Dr. John, The Four Tops. Has performed and recorded in the DC-area with many of the top regional artists such as: King Soul, Last Train Home, Bill Kirchen, Mitch Woods & his Rocket 88s, Tom Principato, Jon Carroll, Virginia Coalition, Mary Battiata & Little Pink,
AWARDS/HONORS: Won American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Composer’s award six times. As a member of The Grandsons, voted “Artist of the Year” by the Washington Area Music Association (WAMA). As an instrumentalist, voted "Best Blues Instrumentalist" by WAMA. Compositions and interviews have aired on NPR stations.
ARRANGER/PRODUCER: Have produced and arranged recording sessions in the top DC-area recording studios such as: Bias, Cue, Omega, Hit & Run, and Wally Cleaver’s. Music I have produced and recorded has been featured on Sirius XM's Kid's Place Live station.
EDUCATION: Started playing saxophone at age 10. Played in McLean High School Jazz and symphonic bands 1981-1985. Member of the University of Virginia Jazz Ensemble 1985-1989; lead alto for two years; ensemble was under direction of trumpeter John D'Earth. Have been playing professionally in the Washington, D.C. area since 1986. Musical styles include: Jazz, R&B, Blues, Latin, Rock.
INFLUENCES: Sonny Rollins, Charlie Parker, Harry Carney, Johnny Hodges, Johnny Griffin, Ben Webster, Coleman Hawkins, Pepper Adams, Lester Young, Eddie "Lockjaws" Davis, Lee Allen, Sam Butera, Dexter Gordon, Ronnie Cuber, Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus...
Chris Watling
Musician
Saxophonist
Composer
Arranger
producer
301-806-2968