Guitarist Chris Parsons is a rock guitar player at heart with a background in Jazz & Blues. Chris spent three years in the Elmhurst College Jazz Band, under the direction of GRAMMY Award Winner Doug Beach. This experience gave him the opportunity to perform with notable jazz musicians such as Simone, Wayne Bergeron, Bill Holman, Tom Scott, Byron Stripling, among others. He also had the opportunity to perform at jazz festivals and clubs across Western Canada, the Czech Republic, and Chile. Chris also recorded three albums with the band, two of which won “Outstanding Awards” by Downbeat Magazine. Since graduation, Chris has performed in a variety of musical scenarios, including the “Heisenberg Uncertainty Players Big Band,” an all original composers big band, the “Big Cluster Big Band,” and his own rock band “T.B.A.” Outside of all of his responsibilities with Time Chicago and BeatMix Music, Chris keeps an active teaching schedule at the North Shore Music Institute. He also works at his Alma Matter, serving as coordinator for the “Elmhurst College Jazz Festival,” the largest collegiate jazz festival in the United States.
Chris has the ability to lay down the smooth chords for a Jazz set or get the crowd going with a Rock guitar riff. His love for music began with Blues and Rock, but through experience and education, he has found a pure passion for Jazz. After touring the world and performing for fans, Chris is happy to be home sharing the stage with the Time Chicago band.