British-born, L.A. based guitarist / composer Chris Standring is one of the leading musicians on the 21^st century smooth jazz scene. Album after album release, Chris continues to delight and even amaze fans and listeners alike and he really steps up his game on his 2020 album Real Life. The 11-track, 59-album features Chris backed up by a wide-range of musicians, all setting a fitting backdrop for his guitar-centric, smooth-as-silk instrumentals. Highlights include a Standring cover of Herbie Hancock’s “Tell Me A Bedtime Story”, and a solo classical piece that closes out the CD called “Prelude From Bach Cello Suite 1”, performed by Chris on his Spanish classical guitar. The otherwise all-original, all-instrumental album is further enhanced by a track featuring soul singer Vanessa Haynes on “Living With The Poetry”, co-written by Chris and songwriter Lauren Christy. Speaking on his own behalf, Chris has said that “I feel it’s not only one of my more joyful albums but also perhaps the most authentic. The resulting sound is truly representative of who I am as a musician and person.” With one upbeat, groove-friendly track coming after the next, Real Life is a vital sonic statement by smooth-jazz guitar ace Chris Standring.