BIO
Chris Speed is a composer, clarinetist, and tenor saxophonist whose music, rooted in jazz, stretches across folk, classical, and rock. For nearly three decades, he has been a prominent and influential voice in jazz and improvised music, known for his inventive artistry and genre-defying collaborations.
“A dazzling player of exquisite restraint, intelligence, and range.” — Chicago Reader
“Speed's top-down manner of storytelling is complemented by soaring mini-motifs and graceful descents.” — All About Jazz
“Mr. Speed is a tenor saxophonist and clarinetist who can find the logical strand in an abstract canvas, and turn wobbly irresolution into a form of riveting suspense.” — The New York Times
Born in 1967 and raised in the Seattle area, Speed formed early bonds with Jim Black and Andrew D'Angelo—friendships that later led to the formation of Human Feel in Boston with guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel. The group produced several acclaimed albums, including Scatter (1992) and Gold (2019).
After studying at the New England Conservatory and touring with the Artie Shaw Band (led by Dick Johnson), Speed moved to New York City, joining Tim Berne’s Bloodcount (e.g., Unwound, Discretion, Saturation Point).
A deep interest in Balkan folk traditions inspired the creation of Pachora (with Black, Brad Shepik, and Skúli Sverrisson), a high-energy ensemble that evolved from traditional covers into an acclaimed original touring band. Speed’s passion for folk music also extended to Slavic Soul Party, with whom he recorded In Makedonija (2002).
His band Yeah NO (with Cuong Vu, Sverrisson, Black) was an experiment in shaping spontaneous improvisation into formal compositions, mixing jazz, rock, eastern folk, and minimalism (Emit 2000, Swell Henry 2004).
The Clarinets (with Oscar Noriega and Anthony Burr) explores acoustic ambient music through extended clarinet techniques and group improvisation. Their work has been praised for blurring the line between composed chamber music and experimental improvisation and was featured on NPR’s Fresh Air.
Endangered Blood —formed in 2008 with Black, Noriega, and Trevor Dunn— was born from benefit concerts for Andrew D'Angelo and evolved into a powerhouse group combining post-bop, New Orleans funeral marches, chromaticism, avant-garde jazz, and punk energy (Work Your Magic 2013, NPR Tiny Desk Concert 2012).
In 2014, Speed formed the Chris Speed Trio with drummer Dave King and bassist Chris Tordini, putting a fresh spin on the classic sax-bass-drums lineup. The trio digs deep into jazz tradition while drawing on years of boundary-pushing experience, creating music that's direct, melodic, and full of subtle invention. Their recordings — Really OK, Platinum On Tap, Respect For Your Toughness, and Despite Obstacles — highlight Speed's knack for writing tunes that are both catchy and rich with possibility.
Broken Shadows (with Tim Berne, Reid Anderson, and Dave King) reinterprets the music of Ornette Coleman and Julius Hemphill with raw energy and modernist improvisation, drawing on deep American roots (Broken Shadows, 2019 Intakt).
Most recently, Speed joined the pioneering jazz group The Bad Plus, bringing his distinctive voice to their evolving sound.