Kristian Borring

Kristian Borring - guitar
Arthur Lea - p
Mick Coady - b
Jon Scott - d
Lewis Wright - vib

Danish guitarist, composer and bandleader, Kristian Borring, has been described as a “guitarist of enormous technical ability who utilizes his considerable gifts thoughtfully and tastefully, a highly accomplished guitarist and composer.” - The Jazz Mann

Based in London, Kristian’s second album as a bandleader “Urban Novel” (released June 2014) draws inspiration from the cityscape and is a personal homage to life in a metropolis. The album, released on Jellymould Jazz, features Arthur Lea (p), Mick Coady (b) and Jon Scott (d). Vibraphonist Jim Hart, was also invited to join in the creation of a rich sound palette consisting of guitar, piano and vibes. The music on “Urban Novel” with its strong sense of melody set in a contemporary ‘sound-scape’, has been described as being “clean, cool, precise and contemporary” – (The Scotsman). Jazzwise reviewer Selwyn Harris said, “Borring's set of originals are engaging and their subtle rhythmic and harmonic twists add to the interest”. Commenting on Kristian’s continuous ability as strong melodic player, All About Jazz ‘s Bruce Lindsey described Kristian’s playing as a “warm, open tone - a welcoming sound that draws and holds the attention”. Lance Liddle from Bebop Spoken Here added “one of the finest, most tasteful and accomplished guitarists on the scene, with Jim Hart - one of the world's great vibraphonists - in the mix, the result is another triumph for the Danish guitarist and his team.”

Following its release the album has received noticeable reviews from amongst others Jazzwise, All About Jazz and The Scotsman. The group toured the UK successfully with support from the Arts Council and they are currently planning follow up dates in 2015.

Kristian’s debut album, Nausicaa - a reference to Odysseus’ journey in Homer’s “The Odyssey” - was released in 2011 on Italian label, Ultra Sound Records, and featured New York based alto saxophonist, Will Vinson. It received wide spread national acclaim and was described by John Fordham (The Guardian) as a “hyper-cool and low-key approach to jazz guitar, but…with warmth, confidence and a rhythmic hipness that's thoroughly contemporary”. Chris Parker from LondonJazz found Kristian’s original compositions “immediately attractive and enduringly impressive”.

Kristian has in recent years worked and performed in the UK and Europe with a great variety of groups and performers such as: Archie Shepp, Antonio Zambrini, Tommaso Starace, Laurence Cottle, Liam Noble Trio, Karen David, Will Vinson, Gareth Lockrane, Nia Lynn, Monika Lidke, Ray Quinn, Bryan Abraham, Christine Tobin, Bruno Heinen, The Puppini Sisters, Ed Puddick's Big Band, Mike Garrick, Jim Hart, Ivo Neame, Lars Dietrich, Andreas Pichler, Jasper Høiby and many more. Kristian is also associated with the progressive London based jazz collective ‘SE Collective’ through his work with the bands Acrobat and Draw By Four.

Kristian studied jazz guitar at Conservatorium Van Amsterdam in The Netherlands and Guildhall School of Music in London.