Chris Byars is a saxophonist and composer from New York City. He has performed in 58 countries and recorded 17 commercially-released projects as a leader. Chris is an award-winning composer who has written extended works portraying life stories, urban geography, and visual art. He has been invited eight times as a guest arranger/conductor for German radio orchestras. Chris has performed with Barry Harris, John Pizzarelli, Teddy Charles and Freddie Redd, and is the assistant director of Tribeca Jazz Institute. The Chris Byars Quartet won the ASCAP Award for Outstanding Programming.