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Chris Bergson is an Associate Professor of Guitar at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he teaches private guitar lessons, slide guitar, and songwriting. He is affiliated with the Guitar Department under the College of Performing Arts. A graduate of the Manhattan School of Music with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance, Bergson is internationally recognized as a guitarist, singer, and songwriter rooted in blues, jazz, and American roots music.
- Bachelor of Music (BM), Jazz Performance, Manhattan School of Music, 1999
Bergson's research and artistic interests center on blues and jazz guitar performance, songwriting, and the cultural dimensions of American roots music. His work blends traditional forms with modern expression, emphasizing authenticity, emotional depth, and technical mastery. He explores the intersections of Delta blues, soul, funk, and jazz, often integrating horn arrangements and collaborative improvisation.
His recent recordings reflect a consistent evolution in style and thematic depth, moving from early jazz-blues fusion to mature, soul-infused compositions. Albums like Comforts of Home (2024), All I Got Left (2021), and Bitter Midnight (2017) showcase sophisticated guitar work, live-in-studio energy, and lyrical sincerity. These works emphasize live performance, collaboration with guest artists like Ellis Hooks and Bernard Purdie, and a deep connection to New York’s musical identity.
- Inducted into the New York Blues Hall of Fame as a Master Blues Artist, 2015
- MOJO Magazine's No. 1 Blues Album of the Year 2008 for Fall Changes
- Five consecutive albums named among MOJO Magazine's Top 10 Blues Albums of the Year
- Multiple MOJO, Gitarist, and Soul Bag Magazine accolades across 2011–2024
- Appointed Jazz Ambassador of the USA by the Kennedy Center and U.S. State Department
Bergson has developed a significant career as an educator and performer, drawing from over 25 years of global touring and recording. He mentors students in developing their unique voice and practical performance skills, informed by his extensive experience as both bandleader and sideman. He has not received public grants, but his work is supported through album releases, performance tours, and institutional affiliation with Berklee. His performances span major festivals in the U.S., Europe, Russia, and West Africa, reflecting a broad international reach.
Bergson leads the Chris Bergson Band and frequently collaborates with vocalist Ellis Hooks, forming a dynamic duo often compared to Sam & Dave. His recording projects often involve tight-knit ensembles, including horn sections arranged by Jay Collins and European touring bands featuring French and Dutch musicians.
