Chris Combs

Chris Combs is a versatile composer, arranger, steel guitarist, and producer hailing from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Since 2008, he has been a key member of the jazz group Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey and has collaborated with notable artists such as George Porter Jr., Matt Chamberlain, and Jeff Coffin. He is known for blending jazz with other genres and has led his own project, COMBSY, which debuted with a self-titled album in 2017. Combs is especially recognized for his innovative work on the steel guitar, including a groundbreaking performance in 2010 where he played lap steel guitar alongside a 50-piece orchestra in reinterpretations of Beethoven’s symphonies — a feat labeled by Down Beat magazine as "a tour de force of jazz melded with classical".

His recent releases include live recordings like *In Session: Live at The Church Studio* and ambitious projects such as *Roche Blave: Large Ensemble Works Recorded Live in Switzerland*, showcasing his skills as a composer for large ensembles and his interest in merging jazz with classical composition influences. His music often draws inspiration from jazz legends such as Charles Mingus and Duke Ellington, making him a dynamic and respected figure in contemporary jazz and experimental music.

Genres

Experimental

Jazz

Contemporary Classical

Blues

Fusion Music

Nu Jazz

Avant-garde Jazz

Big Band

Progressive Jazz

Related Artists

George Benson

The Chemical Brothers

Herbie Hancock

Robert Glasper

Pat Metheny

Brian Culbertson

Wayne Shorter

Bob James

Lee Ritenour

Snarky Puppy

Julian Lage

Hiromi

Latest Release

In Session: Live at The Church Studio

Chris Combs

Album - 11 Tracks - Released August 15, 2025