Chris Lay is a Portland-based singer/songwriter with a knack for finding inspiration across genres and insight in life’s lessons. His sound is a product of both wide influences and the musicians around him, adding elements of soul, jazz, and folk to an otherwise pop-based palette. Born to musical parents, Pat and Frosty Lay, Chris got his degree in Jazz Studies, and, having made a name for himself as a drummer and arranger in such projects as The Max Ribner Band, The Sale, Tim Snider & Sound Society, and Mother Bunch, he has proven his versatility and musicality in a wide range of styles. Now realeasing his debut album, Chris offers up a collection of musings, describing the familiar, pondering the indescribable, and sharing his own humble wisdom through organic instrumentation and plain honesty."The music he creates is rooted in self-expression. He incorporates the soulful runs of jazz with pop chorus lines and indie aftertastes. It’s comforting to listen to, as there is an instantaneous sense of intimacy that engulfs his entire collection, while each song maintains it’s own identity." Stephanie Fine Sasse for the Portland State Vanguard