Chris Dingman: Journeys

NYC-based vibraphonist and composer Chris Dingman is known for his distinctive approach to the instrument: sonically rich and conceptually expansive. In his captivating solo performances, he casts an enveloping atmosphere, creating layers of simultaneous sound – soaring melodies, swirling textures, and undulating pedal tones. It’s an immersive listening experience that many have described as transportive and deeply healing.

In his solo project “Journeys,” Chris is exploring the intersections of spiritualism, dream work, meditation, and healing, through music improvisation. Known for his significant work with legendary artists Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter, and albums with next-generation visionaries such as Ambrose Akinmusire, Linda May Han Oh, and Steve Lehman, Dingman brings together his experience in modern jazz with a host of influences from around the world in service of taking listeners on a journey to a transcendent place.

On his path to becoming a solo artist, he documented his improvisations privately for many years, until his world changed. When his father entered hospice care in 2018, he created the 5-hour extended album Peace, recorded as he played it for his father, and ultimately released in 2020.  This led to an ongoing exploration of the creative process in his solo playing. He released journeys vol. 1 and vol. 2 in 2022 and 2023 respectively, each born from an audience-supported subscription series.

Chris is actively touring, performing in concert, healing, and hybrid modalities for audiences around the world, both in person and online. Recent concert performances include Omega Institute (Rhinebeck), The Rubin Museum of Art (NYC), Timucua Arts (Orlando), The Alembic (Berkeley, CA), Tibet House (NYC), One Longfellow Square (Portland, ME), Constellation (Chicago), Lawrence University (Appleton), Redwood Jazz Alliance (Eureka), and many others including a 10-date solo tour of the US supported by a grant from South Arts.

In addition, Chris was commissioned to conceive and lead the twice-monthly series Transformations in partnership with Connect.faith, finding creative new ways to engage audiences and hold space for healing through music. In these meditative and creative sessions on Zoom, Chris invites participants to share issues and hardships they’re facing, and he channels this into the music. This exchange has proven to be very meaningful, leading participants to describe the experience as “immediately energizing and healing on a physical, emotional and spiritual level.”

Chris has performed around the world including in India, Vietnam, and extensively in Europe and North America. He has been profiled by NPR,  the New York Times, Downbeat, DRUM magazine and many other publications, and has received fellowships and grants from Chamber Music America, New Music USA, South Arts, and the Thelonious Monk Institute. Hailed by the New York Times as a  “dazzling” soloist and a composer with a “fondness for airtight logic and burnished lyricism,” the fluidity of his musical approach has earned him praise as “an extremely gifted composer, bandleader, and recording artist.” (Jon Weber, NPR).

Albums

Press

“fetching, hypnotizing patterns that pull you into their force field”
– Giovanni Russonello,
The New York Times

“absolutely beautiful and meditative”
– Seton Hawkins
Jazz at Lincoln Center

“an intensely personal statement”
– Nate Chinen,
WBGO

“with these solo masterpieces, Dingman has found his true calling”
– Frank Alkyer,
Downbeat Editor’s Pick

“spellbinding”
– Dave Sumner, Bandcamp

“it can sweep you away, transport you into a sensory world that connects to a primal part of your being“
– Ralph A. Miriello,
Notes on Jazz

“a compelling and unequivocal triumph.”
– Fred Grand,
Jazz Journal

“genuinely arresting”
– Morgan Enos,
JazzTimes

“he’s honed his solo approach to an enviable level, allowing a deeply artistic eloquence to emerge.”
Jim Macnie,
Lament for a Straight Line