Chris Dingman

Chris Dingman
Brooklyn, NY
Grant amount: $6,985 

About the Artist

Chris Dingman is a vibraphonist and composer known for his distinctive approach: sonically rich and expansive, bringing listeners on a journey to a beautiful, transcendent place.

Known for his work with legendary artists Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter as well as next generation visionaries such as Ambrose Akinmusire, Linda May Han Oh, Steve Lehman, Jen Shyu, and many others, Dingman casts an enveloping atmosphere in his captivating solo performances. With layers of sound – soaring melodies, swirling textures, and undulating pedal tones - it’s a listening experience that many have described as transportive and deeply healing.

On his journey to becoming a solo artist, Chris documented his improvisations privately for many years, until his world changed. When his father entered hospice care before passing away in 2018, Chris created the 5-hour extended album ""Peace,"" recorded as he played it for his father. The album was publicly released in 2020. That profoundly emotional experience forced Dingman to re-examine the role that solo performing played in his life and career – imbuing it with an even deeper sense of mission and introspection. His new album ""journeys vol. 1"" features pieces selected from more than a year of solo explorations.

His most recent tours in the past year include solo concerts at University of Central Florida in Orlando and the South Florida Center for Percussive Arts in Miami; and performances with his trio at the St. Petersburg Jazz Festival, the Bop Shop in Rochester, NY, and Firehouse 12 in New Haven, CT. As a side person, Dingman has performed around the world including in India, Vietnam, and extensively throughout Europe and North America.

Dingman has released five critically acclaimed albums as a leader, including the aforementioned solo albums “Peace” and “journeys vol. 1.” His trio album ""Embrace,"" featuring Linda May Han Oh and Tim Keiper, was awarded the New Music USA project grant. His first album ""Waking Dreams"" features an all-star cast and was named Debut Album of the Year in the annual jazz critics poll. His second album ""The Subliminal and the Sublime,"" an hour-length piece commissioned by Chamber Music America, earned a place in numerous year-end lists, including being named jazz album of the year by the Huffington Post.

Chris has appeared on over forty albums as a side person, having recorded with some of the greatest musicians in jazz including Anthony Braxton, Kenny Barron, Tyshawn Sorey, Gretchen Parlato, Walter Smith III, Jimmy Greene, Ingrid Jensen, Justin Brown, Donny McCaslin, Anna Webber, Johnathan Blake, and many others.

Dingman has been profiled by NPR, the New York Times, DRUM magazine and many other publications. He was nominated for Mallet Instrumentalist of the Year in the 2021 Jazz Journalist Association Awards, and has been named numerous times in the Downbeat and Jazz Times Critics polls. winning the Rising Star Vibraphonist award in 2012.