Christopher Leighton
Band Story
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: windowtext; font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Born in the Bronx, NY, Christopher Leighton (Cjeff) has been performing and recording for the better part of three decades as a solo artist and in bands on stages from Las Vegas to Nashville. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: windowtext; font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Christopher's introduction to guitar fundamentals was from a classical standpoint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, after finding a book on jazz guitar in the local library, he photocopied the chord charts, learned them all and began ("to my parents dismay"), playing rock'n'roll.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His initial forays into lead guitar were influenced by Jethro Tull (Martin Barre), King Crimson (Robert Fripp), Carlos Santana and Eric Clapton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: windowtext; font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">While living in Des Moines, Iowa, he studied music theory with Don Archer while working with the Iowa Arts Council, teaching and playing in many venues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He began playing in clubs and at various events (including the Iowa State Fair and the Jerry Lewis telethon), as a solo artist and with acoustic and electric bands.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: windowtext; font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He spent three years on the road, traveling across America with two show bands, playing musical material ranging from 'Dream Girls' to Lee Rittenour.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: windowtext; font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Following "a series of interesting events", he now resides in Mahopac, New York with his wife Lidia, five parrots, two cats, and four aquariums worth of fish.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">His musical compositions are influenced by a wide range of artists, including Mark Knopfler, Pat Metheny, Weather Report, George Gershwin, Keith Emerson, Thelonius Monk, Alan Holdsworth, Van Halen and Lee Rittenour.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: windowtext; font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Christopher's introduction to guitar fundamentals was from a classical standpoint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, after finding a book on jazz guitar in the local library, he photocopied the chord charts, learned them all and began ("to my parents dismay"), playing rock'n'roll.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His initial forays into lead guitar were influenced by Jethro Tull (Martin Barre), King Crimson (Robert Fripp), Carlos Santana and Eric Clapton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: windowtext; font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">While living in Des Moines, Iowa, he studied music theory with Don Archer while working with the Iowa Arts Council, teaching and playing in many venues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He began playing in clubs and at various events (including the Iowa State Fair and the Jerry Lewis telethon), as a solo artist and with acoustic and electric bands.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: windowtext; font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He spent three years on the road, traveling across America with two show bands, playing musical material ranging from 'Dream Girls' to Lee Rittenour.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: windowtext; font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Following "a series of interesting events", he now resides in Mahopac, New York with his wife Lidia, five parrots, two cats, and four aquariums worth of fish.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">His musical compositions are influenced by a wide range of artists, including Mark Knopfler, Pat Metheny, Weather Report, George Gershwin, Keith Emerson, Thelonius Monk, Alan Holdsworth, Van Halen and Lee Rittenour.</span></p>