Chris began playing music at age 7, studying organ with a neighborhood teacher. At age 13 he began studying organ with master teacher Herb Wigley. After two years of studying Hammond organ he heard a recording of pianist Bill Evans playing with Toots Thielemans and quickly switched his studies to piano. He also studied informally with Brazilian pianist Manfredo Fest. At age 17 Chris was selected by the Twin Cities Jazz Society as an up and coming artist and was awarded a citation from the National Association of Jazz Educators for exemplary achievements in jazz performance. In 1991 Chris won a West Bank School of Music Composers forum which featured his quartet in a live performance at Augsberg college in Minneapolis playing all original compositions. Chris was pianist and composer with the local all original group "The Illicit Sextet" from 1989-1994. He has performed with his own group, "The Chris Lomheim Trio" featuring bass player Gordon Johnson, and drummer Jay Epstein, at many clubs including The Dakota bar and grill in St. Paul Minnesota. Chris played "The Green Mill" jazz club in Chicago in 1996 where he was headlined featuring trumpet player Rex Richardson. Chris was nominated best pianist in the 1997 Minnesota Music Awards. Chris performs regularly at "The Artists' Quarter" and "The Dakota Jazz Club" in St. Paul and Minneapolis Minnesota.
Discography and Performances
Greg Abate (alto sax), Eric Alexander (saxophonist), Tony Axtell (bassist / vocalist / producer) Eddie Berger (alto sax), Richie Cole (alto saxophonist), Anthony Cox (bassist), Anton Denner (saxophonist), Debbie Duncan (vocalist), Madeline Eastman (vocalist), Peter Erskine (drummer/recording artist), Gary Foster (saxophones and flutes), Mimi Fox (guitarist), Curtis Fuller (trombone), Brian Grivna (alto sax/clarinet), Happy Apple (group), Dave Karr (saxophone), Stacey Kent (vocalist), Herbie Lewis (bassist)Charmin Michelle (vocalist) James Moody (saxophonist), Frank Morgan (alto saxophonist), Vicky Mountain (vocalist),Stephanie Nakasian (vocalist), David "Fathead" Newman (saxophone), Billy Peterson (bassist), Patty Peterson (vocalist), Rex Richardson (trumpet), Christine Rosholt (vocalist),Jim Rotondi (trumpet), Mike Shepherd (drums / percussion), Tresa Sauer (vocalist),Dennis Spears (vocalist), Greg Tardy (tenor saxophone), Roseanna Vitro (vocalist), Ernie Watts (saxophonist/composer), Irv Williams (saxophones)
" Sublime. Expect nothing but musical poetry." - Tom Surowicz - Jazz 88
The Bridge (2002, Artegra). Chris Lomheim's regular trio includes multi-talented bassist Gordy Johnson and sublime drummer Phil Hey. Five jazz favorites and three originals played by Chris Lomheim, Gordy Johnson, and Phil Hey, three leading players in the Minneapolis/St. Paul jazz community. All tracks are complete takes with no editing.
"Although Chris Lomheim writes in a variety of styles, from the melodic mid-tempo opener "Romancing", to the infectious pulse of "Beau's Blooze", and with complexity as in "The Alter Of Change", his unique compositional gift shines brightest when he crafts a ballad. As a result his quiet intense melodies and lyrical introspective tunes dominate this album. Although his name appears as leader of this session, Chris will quickly tell you this was truly a collaborative effort and would not have been possible without the invaluable contributions Jay Epstein and Gordy Johnson made to this project. The level of interplay, trust, and support demonstrated on this recording could only come from a working group where egos have been suppressed for the good of the music." - Paul Winger IGMOD Records
" Playing in the style (and close to the depth of the great Bill Evans) ...Chris Lomheim gives us an album of evocative, often moving music. There is some dark - as well as beautiful - music here. Romantic, reflective, introspective, solemn, haunting are some of the adjectives that could apply. The trio's playing is wonderfully integrated and flowing. " - Bob Protzman, Saint Paul Pioneer Press
"On this all-original outing, he tempers the all-embracing lyricism and discreet voicings with a two-fisted, delectably funky track called Beau's Blooze... Johnson's a most sensitive bassist and drummer Jay Epstein is a real bonus with his pristine, cascading cymbals. At over 67 minutes, this is a generous offering of chamber jazz, immaculately recorded. " -Tom Surowicz, Midwest Jazz - an Arts Midwest Publication
CD out of print
The Illicit Sextet "Chapter One"
1. No! (You'll Want The Window Down) 7:58 (Steve Kenny)2. Chapter One 5:57 (Kelly Bucheger)3. Theme For Woody Shaw (Mean What You Say) 7:26 (Kelly Bucheger) 4. Fortune Kooky Blues 5:05 (David Roos)5. Dear John 4:38 (David Roos)6. Izzy & Lambchop 7:21 (Chris Lomheim) 7. Raddical 7:37 (Steve Kenny)8. New Entangoments 6:02 (David Roos)9. Batmonk 9:42 (Steve Kenny)
Speaking of long-awaited good news from the CD front, there's also a two-day celebration for the debut disc by the Twin Cities premier jazz sextet. Their self-produced Chapter One is so professionally engineered it could pass any expert's blindfold test for major-label credibility. And with four skilled and scholarly composers fighting for room among the nine cuts, the selections are fat-free, but they make for a true musical feast. In general, trumpeter Steve Kenny favors smoldering hard-bop inventiveness, while tenor saxophonist Kelly Bucheger adds more of a gritty soul feel. Pianist Chris Lomheim explodes off the keyboard with exceptional grace, while guitarist Dave Roos offers a whole other spectrum of melodic possibility, not to mention a penchant for contrapuntal experimentation that keeps listeners on their toes. Think of The Illicit Sextet as the Cadillac of local jazz - not too flashy, just a smooth, classy and expansive machine that glides effortlessly through the post-bop traditions. (Jim Meyer)
CD out of print
"Gordon Johnson Trios"
" features six drummers, seven pianists and myself on string bass.The disc was recorded by Matthew Zimmerman at Wild Sound Studios in Minneapolis over a period of about two years. By recording in one location I was able to maintain a consistent sonic quality throughout the entire project. Only the musical personalities change the mood from one track to the next. Featuring pianists; John R. Burr, Bill Carrothers, Manfredo Fest, Biff Hannon, Chris Lomheim, Bobby Peterson and Benny Weinbeck, with drummers; Dave Anania, Jay Epstein, Peter Erskine, Gordy Knudtson, Dave Mancini and Joe Pulice."
1. Dis N Dat 2. 4 p.m. Blues 3. At Loss For Words 4. Up Late 5. Song For A Yellow Bird 6. Reference Point 7. Earth Blues 8. Sheetrock Blues 9. Folksong 10. Rhythm Blues
All selections composed by John Paulson John Paulson, clarinet, saxophone, flute Rex Richardson, trumpet and flugelhorn Chris Lomheim, piano Gordy Johnson, bass Rich MacDonald, drums Dean Sorenson, trombone Ken Dalluge, percussion Eric Hueukeshoven, piano Robert Stanley Gardner, bass Cliff Jack, guitar Kevin Dobbe, drums John Paulson, #1473 - Saint Mary's University, Winona MN 55987 (507) 457-1596, Fax (507)457-1439Email John Paulson
David Mitchell Group "Young Cats"
1. Nica's Dream (5:49) 2. Romancing (6:10) 3. La Fiesta (5:49) 4. Remember Rockefeller at Attica (5:03) 5. Manteca (6:59) 6. Someday My Prince Will Come (6:04) 7. Ojos De Rojo (5:33) 8. Bud Powell (6:27) David Mitchell - alto saxophone Phil Hey - drums Tom Lewis - bass Chris Lomheim - piano
1. Cheap Cigars [3:48]2. Lead Soldiers [4:00]3. Fly Away [6:31]4. Bugpowder [1:15] (composed by Ornette Coleman) 5.Disposable Assets [2:01](composed by Michael O'Brien)6. Life on Mars [5:17]7. Little Wing [8:13] (composed by Jimi Hendrix)8. Hennepin Bridge [1:47]9. Taxi Funeral Waltz [2:29]10. Glass Wheel [6:13]11. The Two of Us [10:06]12. Frances Loop [2:18] Kelly Rossum--trumpet; Chris Thomson--tenor sax; Chris Lomheim--piano and Fender Rhodes; Michael O'Brien--bass and electric bass; J.T. Bates--drums
Vicky Mountain's new CD Don't Go To Strangers will arrive Dec, 5th 2004. The CD is a blend of fresh takes on enduring tunes; Love For Sale, You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To, and Lullaby Of The Leaves,Groovin' versions of Born To Be Blue and Love You Madly, lush ballads; In Your Own Sweet Way, Don't Go To Strangers and the debut of jazz originals from Chris Lomheim, Marissa Dodge, and Vicky Mountain.
"Although Chris Lomheim writes in a variety of styles, from the melodic mid-tempo opener "Romancing", to the infectious pulse of "Beau's Blooze", and with complexity as in "The Alter Of Change", his unique compositional gift shines brightest when he crafts a ballad. As a result his quiet intense melodies and lyrical introspective tunes dominate this album. Although his name appears as leader of this session, Chris will quickly tell you this was truly a collaborative effort and would not have been possible without the invaluable contributions Jay Epstein and Gordy Johnson made to this project. The level of interplay, trust, and support demonstrated on this recording could only come from a working group where egos have been suppressed for the good of the music." - Paul Winger IGMOD Records
1. No! (You'll Want The Window Down) 7:58 (Steve Kenny)2. Chapter One 5:57 (Kelly Bucheger)3. Theme For Woody Shaw (Mean What You Say) 7:26 (Kelly Bucheger) 4. Fortune Kooky Blues 5:05 (David Roos)5. Dear John 4:38 (David Roos)6. Izzy & Lambchop 7:21 (Chris Lomheim) 7. Raddical 7:37 (Steve Kenny)8. New Entangoments 6:02 (David Roos)9. Batmonk 9:42 (Steve Kenny)
" features six drummers, seven pianists and myself on string bass.The disc was recorded by Matthew Zimmerman at Wild Sound Studios in Minneapolis over a period of about two years. By recording in one location I was able to maintain a consistent sonic quality throughout the entire project. Only the musical personalities change the mood from one track to the next. Featuring pianists; John R. Burr, Bill Carrothers, Manfredo Fest, Biff Hannon, Chris Lomheim, Bobby Peterson and Benny Weinbeck, with drummers; Dave Anania, Jay Epstein, Peter Erskine, Gordy Knudtson, Dave Mancini and Joe Pulice."
1. Dis N Dat 2. 4 p.m. Blues 3. At Loss For Words 4. Up Late 5. Song For A Yellow Bird 6. Reference Point 7. Earth Blues 8. Sheetrock Blues 9. Folksong 10. Rhythm Blues
1. Nica's Dream (5:49) 2. Romancing (6:10) 3. La Fiesta (5:49) 4. Remember Rockefeller at Attica (5:03) 5. Manteca (6:59) 6. Someday My Prince Will Come (6:04) 7. Ojos De Rojo (5:33) 8. Bud Powell (6:27) David Mitchell - alto saxophone Phil Hey - drums Tom Lewis - bass Chris Lomheim - piano
1. Cheap Cigars [3:48]2. Lead Soldiers [4:00]3. Fly Away [6:31]4. Bugpowder [1:15] (composed by Ornette Coleman) 5.Disposable Assets [2:01](composed by Michael O'Brien)6. Life on Mars [5:17]7. Little Wing [8:13] (composed by Jimi Hendrix)8. Hennepin Bridge [1:47]9. Taxi Funeral Waltz [2:29]10. Glass Wheel [6:13]11. The Two of Us [10:06]12. Frances Loop [2:18] Kelly Rossum--trumpet; Chris Thomson--tenor sax; Chris Lomheim--piano and Fender Rhodes; Michael O'Brien--bass and electric bass; J.T. Bates--drums
Vicky Mountain's new CD Don't Go To Strangers will arrive Dec, 5th 2004. The CD is a blend of fresh takes on enduring tunes; Love For Sale, You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To, and Lullaby Of The Leaves,Groovin' versions of Born To Be Blue and Love You Madly, lush ballads; In Your Own Sweet Way, Don't Go To Strangers and the debut of jazz originals from Chris Lomheim, Marissa Dodge, and Vicky Mountain.
