Biography

 

Chris English was born and raised in Salisbury, Maryland and started playing guitar at age 11. His older brother introduced him to the blues in the late 1960’s, during his high school years. Chris concentrated on slide guitar and harmonica at this time teaching himself, using open tunings.

Chris is now primarily performing as a solo act, playing traditional and acoustic blues. He has an authentic style of playing. Over the years he has been true to his art learning the subtleties that make each blues special. His performances are both intense and spiritual releases. His dad calls him preacher man. Delta style is his forte, singing, playing guitar and harp, stamping out the time on an old wooden coca cola crate, creating the subtle polyrhythms and powerful vocals that comprise this elusive form. He also uses vintage guitars from the ‘30’s to replicate the sound and feeling of the blues he has studied and loves.

Chris released his second CD, “Lowdown in the House”, in July 2004. This is a live, solo, collection of traditional and original blues. His first CD, recorded in 1996, “Live at the Avalon”, is a combination of solo and band work. His three-piece band, Brother Lowdown, was formed in 1986. Both CD’s were co-produced and engineered by Jim Smith of Muddy Hole Studios.

Currently, Chris is teaching a course in Blues, that he created, at Salisbury University, Salisbury MD, titled “Blues, the Roots of Rock and Roll”. This lecture course explores the social and economic climate that shaped the music as well as the musicians that crafted the music. The course includes live performances to demonstrate different styles of blues, and will serve to further Chris in his own education of the blues.

 

Shows include performances at:

The Avalon Theatre    
The Globe Theatre
Riverhead Blues Festival
Bay Music Festival
Delaware Music Festival
Delaware Friends of Folk Festival
Groove City Jazz and Blues Festival
Summerfest
Salisbury Festival
White Clay Park (a solo and band performance)
Belleview State Park
Killens Pond State Park