BIO
Chris Speed is a composer, clarinetist, and tenor saxophonist whose work, rooted in jazz, draws from folk, classical, and rock traditions. For over 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 went on to release several acclaimed recordings, 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, where he became a key figure in the downtown scene, notably through his work with Tim Berne’s Bloodcount (Unwound, Discretion, Saturation Point).
A deep interest in Balkan folk traditions led to the the creation of Pachora (with Black, Brad Shepik, and Skúli Sverrisson), an ensemble that evolved from interpreting traditional material into a dynamic original band. This interest in folk music also informed his work with Slavic Soul Party, including the album In Makedonija (2002).
His band Yeah NO (with Cuong Vu, Sverrisson, Black) explored the shaping of spontaneous improvisation into formal structures, blending jazz, rock, Eastern folk, and minimalism (Emit, 2000; Swell Henry, 2004).
In a more acoustic and textural vein, The Clarinets (with Oscar Noriega and Anthony Burr) is devoted entirely to collective improvisation, using extended techniques and deep listening to create richly detailed, slowly unfolding soundscapes. The group has been praised for its boundary-blurring approach 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, reimagining the saxophone trio format with music that is direct, melodic, and quietly adventurous. Their recordings—Really OK, Platinum On Tap, Respect for Your Toughness, and Despite Obstacles—highlight his gift for writing pieces that are both immediately engaging and open-ended.
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 internationally acclaimed group The Bad Plus, bringing his distinctive voice to one of the most high-profile ensembles in contemporary jazz.