Chris Rhyne Creative Director/Keyboardist/Composer/Producer

Chris began studying classical piano at age seven near Boston, Massachusetts. His natural proficiency led him to reach national levels of competition. By the 4th grade Chris had become the designated pianist and band leader for his schools’ many musical theater productions.  At 16, he was playing engagements all over the New  England area and he experienced his first 15 minutes of fame when His band “Earth Shrine” signed a short-lived record deal on a major label. After high school he attended Boston’s  Berklee College of Music, studying composition, orchestration and piano.

After Berklee, Chris relocated to the Los Angeles area to work with popular A&M recording artist, Gino Vanelli.  He played an instrumental role in helping to arrange and orchestrate Gino’s groundbreaking “Pauper In Paradise” LP, which was recorded at the famous Air Studios in London with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Gino had one of the first “all-keyboard” bands, and Chris’ prodigious keyboard chops were put to the test, playing all the bass parts with his left hand while holding down strings, horns, organ, etc. with his right hand.

Chris soon came to the attention of Carlos Santana and was immediately bestowed the keyboardist / arranger position. In addition to worldwide concerts with the Santana  band, Chris did double duty as the musical director, composer and arranger for “The Devadip Orchestra” which featured Carlos’ more jazz oriented work.  He also acted as keyboardist, arranger and composer on both the hugely successful “Inner Secrets” album and Carlos’ solo album “Oneness: Silver Dreams, Golden Reality”.                                              

Next, the amazing and innovative violinist, Jean Luc Ponty enlisted Chris’ talents.   Several world tours and critically acclaimed recordings followed, (“Civilized Evil, “ Mystical Adventures” and “Live At Chene Park”).  As printed in The Detroit Free Press... “Anyone who disses fusion because it ain’t real jazz should pay close attention to the improvisational interplay between Ponty and keyboardist Chris Rhyne: All the so-called Young Lions should have such teeth.”

Somewhere in the ‘80’s, Merv Griffin called.  He needed a keyboardist who was skilled in many styles and adept at sight reading and accompanying singers. He hired Chris for the last 6 years of his television show.  In Chris’ words, “The great thing about that show was that one minute I would be accompanying Pavarotti and the next Liza Minnelli or Gregory Hines or the cast of “Cats” or Buddy Rich.  It was a great challenge and great fun!!”  He also made several appearances singing on the show as a member of acapella quintet “The Mervtones” and he excersied his arranging and composing skills producing music for many  of  Merv’s other ventures, including “Wheel Of Fortune” “Jeopardy” and several NBC specials.

It was during this “Merv” period that Chris began what would become a 25-year musical partnership with Nashville based guitarist/writer/producer Jim Kimball.
Working together, they have enjoyed many years of success as respective owners/composers of Chris’ “Wild About Music” and Jim’s “Soundscape Productions”. 

More recently, they have founded Aha! Music; a multifaceted production company that provides musical solutions in the areas of Original Score, Sound Design, Music Branding, Sonic Identification, Record Production and Live Performance. 

Currently, Chris holds the honor of being one of the world’s top called session musicians.  Couple his many talents as a sensitive player, arranger, composer, producer, musical director and engineer,  with a lifetime of musical and personal experiences and the results can only be described as world-class.  Just ask his clients... or his mother.

Copyright © 2006 Aha! Music