Kris Monson is a bassist and composer based in New York City. Kris has had the honor of performing in ensembles led by many of the top musicians in the international jazz and contemporary music scenes, including Marc Cary, Tyshawn Sorey, Veronica Swift, Charles Owens, and Ari Hoenig, and on stages including Carnegie Hall, The Panama Jazz Festival, The Kennedy Center, Smalls Jazz Club, and Blues Alley.
photo: Katie Simbala
Current and recent projects include:
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The Kris Monson Quartet, performing all original music. Full album coming this spring!
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Kris Monson's "Suite for Charlottesville: Regarding the Unite the Right Rally that took place in Charlottesville, VA on August 11-12, 2017", a suite of original music written for jazz septet
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Monson / Mathews LUSH LIFE film & fundraiser, in collaboration with the Seven Tones Project and the Jazz Foundation of America
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Extensive touring and performing as a sideman with
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Joshua Espinoza Trio
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Charles Owens Trio and Quartet
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Marc Cary Trio
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Ryan Sands Trio
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Mark G. Meadows & The Movement
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Will Evans & Angelica X
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Tomer Cohen Trio
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A passionate music educator, Kris teaches improvisation and composition at the Manhattan School of Music Summer Program, music fundamentals at George Mason University, jazz history at Rutgers University OLLI , and music theory at the New England Conservatory. Kris has also given guest lectures and master classes at schools around the country and maintains an active studio of private students in bass, piano, and improvisation.
As a researcher, Kris has presented at national and international conferences for the Jazz Education Network (JEN), the International Society of Bassists (ISB), and the College Music Society (CMS).
Kris was mentored by trumpeter John D’earth while a double major in systems engineering and music at the University of Virginia. Kris continued his studies at the Manhattan School of Music, earning an M.M. under the tutelage of jazz legend Buster Williams and longtime member of the NY Philharmonic, Orin O’Brien. Kris is currently a D.M.A. candidate at the New England Conservatory.