cello
Chris Tate is a modern jazz cellist, composer, and educator whose work brings classical technique into the language of contemporary improvisation. Blending groove, lyricism, and modern harmony, Tate is redefining what the cello can do on today’s bandstands—both as a frontline voice and as a driving rhythmic instrument.
Trained in the Suzuki tradition from an early age, Tate continued his studies with SFC Benjamin Wensel of the U.S. Army Band before pursuing jazz and improvisation more deeply. A full-tuition scholarship recipient at Berklee College of Music, he has studied with artists including Naseem Alatrash (Turtle Island String Quartet), Federico Nathan (Metropole Orkest), Jason Anick, Sara Caswell, and Eugene Friesen.
Tate’s performance credits span jazz, contemporary strings, and commercial music, including work with Vincent Herring, Adam Blackstone, Derrick Hodge, Alexa Tarantino, Marcus Printup, Eddie Barbash, and Tia Fuller, as well as collaborations with Mike Block, Christian Howes, Tracy Silverman, Darol Anger, Zach Brock, Casey Driessen, and Eugene Friesen. Outside of jazz, he has performed alongside artists such as Jeezy, Akon, Q-Tip, Gilberto Santa Rosa, and Nano Stern.
A dedicated educator, Tate has taught privately for over a decade, served on faculty at the McLean Music School, and is the youngest faculty member for Tracy Silverman’s Strum Bowing Groove Academy.