Chris Bergson Celebrates 30 Years in New York with East River Blues

Chris Bergson Celebrates 30 Years in New York with East River Blues

Release date: May 15, 2026
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​East River Blues, the forthcoming CRS release from internationally acclaimed guitarist and singer Chris Bergson, marks 30 years of making music in New York City. A deeply personal statement, the album reflects Bergson’s three decades in the city while paying tribute to his core blues and jazz influences — from Muddy Waters and Ray Charles to Blue Note heroes of the 1960s such as Grant Green, Lou Donaldson and Herbie Hancock.

The album features Bergson in a powerhouse trio with premier bassist Larry Grenadier and master drummer Herlin Riley. On three selections, the group expands to a quartet with longtime bandmate, saxophonist Jay Collins.

30 Years in New York
In January 2025, Bergson celebrated his 30th year living in New York City — a journey that began in the mid-1990s with pre-dawn jam sessions at Smalls Jazz Club, studies with guitar legend Jim Hall, and classes at the Manhattan School of Music. Over three decades, New York shaped him not only into a respected guitarist, but also into a vocalist, bandleader, husband, father, and devoted student of the blues tradition.
To mark the milestone, Bergson set out to record an album that honored both his musical heroes and the city that forged his sound.
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A Session Shaped by Fate
Initially, Bergson envisioned the trio with Grenadier and legendary drummer Al Foster, whose history stretches back to the quartet of saxophonist Joe Henderson. Bergson and Foster had previously shared the stage in New York, an experience Bergson describes as “life-changing.”
A June session was booked at NRS Recording in Catskill, NY. But tragedy struck when Foster passed away on May 28, 2025, just weeks before recording.
In a remarkable turn, Bergson reached out to New Orleans drum master Herlin Riley, whom he had recently met during a Jazz at Lincoln Center blues jam weekend. By coincidence, Riley was already scheduled to perform in nearby Connecticut the night before the session — with Larry Grenadier on bass. The alignment felt serendipitous. The trio entered the studio, and the chemistry was immediate.

The Music
From the opening bars of Muddy Waters’ “Mean Disposition,” the trio locks into a deep, gritty groove. Bergson’s pick-free approach on his Tele-style guitar produces vocal-like textures, complementing his soulful, unvarnished singing.
The standard “Little Girl Blue” (Richard Rodgers/Lorenz Hart) moves the album into jazz territory, with Bergson’s unaccompanied chordal introduction and a vocal interpretation inspired by Ray Charles’ phrasing and emotional depth.
The funky instrumental title track, “East River Blues,” channels the boogaloo spirit of Lou Donaldson’s Blue Note era, blending blues, soul, jazz, and groove. Saxophonist Jay Collins joins for playful exchanges and bold ensemble work. The album was largely recorded in first or second takes, preserving a spontaneous, live feel.
Other highlights include the jazz waltz “Sad Strains,” a poignant composition from Bergson’s college years, and the hard-swinging quartet interpretation of Herbie Hancock’s “Driftin’.” A soulful reading of Ray Charles’ “What Would I Do Without You” further underscores Bergson’s deep connection to the blues-soul continuum.

An Album of Flow
What began as a tribute project evolved into something even more profound — an album shaped by loss, resilience, and creative trust. With the empathetic interplay of Grenadier and Riley, and the dynamic presence of Jay Collins, East River Blues captures Bergson at a pivotal moment: honoring his past while sounding fully alive in the present.
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Listen her to the titletrack 

Website:
chrisbergson.com

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