Christian Tamburr is a multi-instrumentalist, accomplished on the piano and trapset as well as world and orchestral percussion: Video

18.05. – Happy Birthday !!! However, his true talent is exhibited on his instrument of choice, the vibraphone. Confirmed in May of 2001 when in their annual poll of collegiate age musicians, Downbeat Magazine awarded him “Outstanding Solo Jazz Performance”. Christian is currently a member of the critically acclaimed Noel Freidline Quintet, a five-piece acoustic jazz group as well as the Grammy Award winning group The Dazz Band.

Now 23, Christian first started performing jazz at the age of 14 and has since had the opportunity to work with many jazz legends including, Ira Sullivan, Clark Terry, James Moody, Benny Green, Bucky Pizarelli, Kevin Mahogany, Nicolas Payton, Art Van Damm, Slide Hampton, Bob Mintzer, Tom Kubis, Milt Hilton, Dick Hyman, Bob Haggart, Mark Murphy, Eric Marienthal, Marcus Printup, and Bunky Green to name a few.

While attending the University of North Florida, Christian performed with the One O’clock Band at Holland’s prestigious North Sea Jazz Festival. Performing also at the 2000-’01 Notre Dame Collegiate Jazz Festival, his trio earned three judges’ citations: “Outstanding Performance” from Tonight Show drummer Ed Shaugnessy and bassist John Clayton, Jr., and “Outstanding Soloist” from saxophonist Jimmy Heath. The trio was also awarded the distinction of “Most Outstanding Combo Performance.”

In the spring of 2001, Christian moved from Jacksonville, Florida to Las Vegas, Nevada to join the Noel Friedline Quintet where he and the group performed at the Allegro Jazz lounge at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino. Christian has performed as a guest artist with Dave Brubeck, as a solo percussionist with Michael Feinstein, and opened for Harry Connick, Jr. Over the past 3 years tours have taken Christian throughout North America, Europe, and an eight day showcase on the SS Independence, traveling throughout the Hawaiian Islands. Some of the more notable venues include “The World’s Greatest Bar on Earth” at World Trade Center, NY, Merv Griffin’s “Coconut Club” in the Beverly Hilton, Beverly Hills, CA, The Brown Derby in Hollywood, CA, the Hard Rock Hotel, Las Vegas, as well as numerous performances at Twins Jazz lounge Washington D.C., The Gem Theater, Kansas City, and The Bluenote L.V.

In 2003, Christian performed on the main stage at the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, the Charlotte Jazz Festival, the Cullowhee Jazz Festival, Orlando’s House of Blues, as well Universal Studio’s City Jazz and Walt Disney’s Pleasure Island Jazz Company. In November of 2002, as a member of the Noel Friedline Quintet, Christian was hired to play for Julia Roberts at her highly publicized, surprise birthday party in New York City. Currently Christian is working with Penn and Teller, writing and teaching new music to the world renowned performers. Off the stage, Christian also works as a clinician, teaching for high school and college students all around the country. Clinics vary from working with jazz big bands, small groups, and improvisation, to percussion technique for mallets in the concert or marching idiom. Christian is endorsed by Promark sticks and mallets.

Having recently moved to Charlotte, North Carolina the future is wide open for Christian and he plans to take advantage of all opportunities that come his way. Perhaps best said in an article from “The Mississippi Rag” the late Rick Fay wrote,” …in all, 47 performers gave their time and talents. I am sure none of them would disagree if I tell you who was the biggest hit of the day. It was vibraphonist Christian Tamburr. During his set the seasoned listener could hear echoes of all the great vibe men, Hampton, Norvo, Milt Jackson. It is a lead pipe cinch this player will take his place among them.”