Kris Monson is a bassist and composer based in New York City, originally from Fairfax, Virginia. 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, Vince Mendoza, Lalah Hathaway, Jim McNeely, Tyshawn Sorey, Charles Owens, and Ari Hoenig, and at venues including Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, Smalls Jazz Club, and Blues Alley.
A product of the rich central Virginia jazz community, Kris studied with Pete Spaar and 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 where he received a Master's in Music in Jazz Bass Performance summa cum laude, studying jazz bass under the tutelage of Buster Williams and Harvie S, classical bass with NY Philharmonic bassists Orin O’Brien and David Grossman, and composition with Jim McNeely.
A passionate music educator, Kris is the Instrumental and Choral Music Teacher for K-8 students at The Studio School in Manhattan. He has also taught at the Manhattan School of Music Pre-College Division and has given guest lessons and lectures at schools and universities around the country. Kris also maintains an active studio of private students in double bass, electric bass, guitar, piano, violin, music theory, and improvisation at his home in New York City and online.
As a composer he has premiered works at the Banff International Workshop in Jazz & Creative Music, Sewanee Summer Music Festival, the Manhattan School of Music, as well as various jazz clubs and live music venues around the country.