About Chris Shahin

Chris Shahin is a musician and teacher based in San Jose, California. Like many teenage boys, Chris grew up listening to the classic rock guitar heroes but always had an ear and love for jazz and instrumental music.

Inspired by several friends, especially the late great Andy Mazzilli, he
began to study classical guitar with Randy Osbourne and later studied
with Jazz finger style master Tuck Andress. After graduating from San
Jose State University with a BA in Music, Shahin realized he needed to
pay the bills and began teaching music while playing and composing his own instrumental music. He quickly realized that he loved teaching
others how to play.

He founded and runs SJG School of Music and he makes time for his own musical pursuits as a solo guitarist and with The Chris Shahin Band.

He was featured in Guitar Player Magazine’s spotlight column, and has
played his music on radio and television. “I enjoy playing guitar more
now than ever; I continue to regularly practice and compose and have
lately been getting into the playing styles of Chet Atkins, Merle Travis,
Jerry Reed and Tommy Emmanuel,” says Shahin.

The Chris Shahin Band released two earlier albums, Left of Center
(1999) and The Tenth Degree (1998). His musical and guitar influences
include: Wes Montgomery, Django Rienhardt, Jim Hall, Pat Metheny,
Steve Morse, Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix, Marc Ribot, Tommy Emmanuel,
Bill Frisell and Manuel Barrueco. Two of his compositions, Emancipate
the Water Planet and Baja Cactus, have also been featured on two
compilation albums, Brine and Waves of The West. Chris released,
Valencia in 2010 an all-acoustic guitar album with the quality
accompaniment of Jemal Ramirez (drums and percussion), Ken Okada
(upright bass) and Sally Dalke (violin) resulting in the album titled
Valencia.

In 2014 Chris released Sanctuary features Sally Dalke on Violin and John
Shifflett on bass. It is an all-acoustic guitar album which draws heavily
on his classical guitar roots.
2020 starts with the release of Lifesong an album Chris calls “The
most eclectic nylon-string guitar album ever.”

2023 marks a new chapter with the release of the album “Stamadios!”
which features songs which Chris composed both lyrics and music for.
“Stamadios!” features several vocalists as well and a stellar cast of Bay
Area Jazz musicians.

Chris also start a new online learning school at
www.starttoplayguitar.com