Chris Ketley

Musical artist From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Chris Ketley[1] (born 29 January 1985) is a British, London-based multi-instrumentalist, musical director, arranger, composer and producer.

Born (1985-01-29) 29 January 1985 (age 41)
OccupationsMusician, arranger, musical director, composer, producer
InstrumentsGuitar, piano, bass
Quick facts Background information, Born ...
Chris Ketley
Chris Ketley performing live in 2017
Chris Ketley performing live in 2017
Background information
Born (1985-01-29) 29 January 1985 (age 41)
OccupationsMusician, arranger, musical director, composer, producer
InstrumentsGuitar, piano, bass
Websitechrisketley.co.uk
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He is most well known for being a pop session musician playing guitar and piano for multi-platinum selling British artist Ellie Goulding[2] and has previously worked with a variety of bands and artists such as Bryan Ferry, Zendaya, Banks, The Rakes, Dua Lipa, Markus Feehily (Westlife), Martin Luke Brown, Betsy, DJ Fresh, Christophe Willem, Conor Maynard, Rumer and The X-Factor Australia, The Moons & The on Offs.

He has made TV appearances with CeeLo Green, Katherine Jenkins, Cher, Gary Barlow, Alfie Bow, Barry Manilow, Donny Osmond and LeAnn Rimes.

In addition to his live experience, Chris composes and produces music for placement on advertising campaigns, TV, short films and other bespoke media. His clients have included The BBC, 20th Century Fox, Biscuit Filmworks (Noam Murro), Pantene, Universal Music and Grey London.

Some of his live career highlights include a headline show at Madison Square Garden, The Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival, Saturday Night Live, Jools Holland, Coachella Festival and a headline show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. 

Early career

His career started in his late teens playing for UK bands such as The on Offs[3] whilst touring the UK & Europe. By the age of 21 he was touring the world with UK post punk band The Rakes.[4] By his mid-twenties Chris was playing with Ellie Goulding on some of the world's biggest stages, TV shows and open-air festivals the music industry has to offer.

Bryan Ferry at the Hollywood Bowl

Chris composed orchestral arrangements for Bryan Ferry's headline show at the Hollywood Bowl on 26 August 2017. The full orchestra was conducted by Thomas Wilkins. Chris worked closely with Bryan and his team to compose 18 new scores for the concert for a full size Symphony Orchestra. He worked closely with Jessica Dannheisser who assisted in orchestrating.

String arrangement

Chris has arranged, recorded and produced strings at Abbey Road Studios, Air Studios & British Grove Studios. His arrangements have been used live at the Royal Albert Hall, Hollywood Bowl & Carnegie Hall.

He arranged the strings and group vocals across multiple tracks on Ellie Goulding's album 'Delirium' in addition to live recordings and special acoustic releases of singles such as "Love Me like You Do", from the soundtrack for the film 'Fifty Shades of Grey'.[5]

Royal wedding

Chris Ketley accompanied Ellie Goulding when she was asked to sing at The Royal Wedding reception in 2011. The Duke of Cambridge and Duchess of Cambridge asked Ellie Goulding to sing her cover version of Elton John's "Your Song" for their first dance.[6]

Live career

Chris Ketley playing Live 2016
More information Artist, Instrument ...
Artist Instrument Dates
Ellie Goulding Lead guitar, keyboards 2010–2018
The Rakes Guitar, piano, backing vocals 2007–2010
Dua Lipa Guitar, keyboards 2015
Markus Feehily Guitar 2015
Christophe Willem Guitar, keyboards, bass, backing vocals 2013–2014
Conor Maynard Guitar, keyboards, programming 2015
Rumer Guitar, keyboards 2011
The Moons Guitar, backing vocals 2009–2011
The On/Offs Guitar, piano 2006–2007
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T.V. appearances

More information Artist, Instrument ...
Artist Instrument TV Show
LeAnn Rimes Bass The Graham Norton Show
Donny Osmond Bass Strictly Come Dancing (Not house band)
Barry Manilow Guitar Strictly Come Dancing (Not house band)
Alfie Bow Ukuele Alan Titchmarsh Show
Gary Barlow Guitar The X Factor
Cher Piano The X Factor/Graham Norton Show
Katherine Jenkins Bass Lorraine Kelly
CeeLo Green Bass Strictly Come Dancing
Ellie Goulding Guitar, bass, keyboards The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent, Saturday Night Live,

Conan, The Jonathan Ross Show, Top of the Pops, Jools Holland, Graham Norton, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Jimmy Fallon, Alan Carr, Blue Peter, The One Show, among others

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Discography

More information Artist, Year ...
Artist Year Project Album Role Ref.
The Rakes 2009 "You're in It", "That's the Reason", "The Loneliness of the Outdoor Smoker", "1989", "Shackleton", "The Light from Your Mac", "The Final Hill" Klang Guitar [7]
"Muller's Ratchet" Guitar, Piano
"Bitchin' in the Kitchin'", "The Woes of the Working Woman" Piano
The Moons 2010 "Don't Go Changin'", "Chinese Whispers", "Let It Go", "Torn Between The Two", "Nightmare Day", "Promise Not To Tell", "How Long", "The Ragman", "Everyday Heroes", "Lost Soul", "Wondering", "Last Night On Earth" Life on Earth Guitar [8]
Ellie Goulding "The Writer" (Live Acoustic Version) An Introduction to Ellie Goulding Piano, Acoustic Guitar [9]
"Lights" (Live), "This Love (Will Be Your Downfall)" [Live], "The Writer" (Live) iTunes Festival: London 2010 - EP Keyboards, Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar, Bass [10]
"Guns and Horses" (Live), "Salt Skin" (Live), "Starry Eyed" (Live) Keyboards, Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar
2012 "Figure 8" (Live), "My Blood" (Live), "Explosions" (Live), "I Know You Care" (Live), "Anything Could Happen" (Live), "Starry Eyed" (Live) iTunes Festival: London 2012 - EP Guitar [11]
2013 "My Blood" (iTunes Session), "Burn" (iTunes Session), "Anything Could Happen" (iTunes Session), "How Long Will I Love You?" (iTunes Session), "Starry Eyed" (iTunes Session), "Lights" (iTunes Session) iTunes Session - EP Keyboards, Guitar [12]
"How Long Will I Love You?" Halcyon Days Piano, Arranger [13]
2014 "All I Want" (Kodaline Cover) Non-album single [14]
"Love Me Like You Do" Delirium and Fifty Shades of Grey (Soundtrack) Arranger [15]
2015 "Intro (Delirium)" Delirium Arranger, Strings, Production, Writer [16]
"Holding On For Life" Choir, Vocal Arranger, Additional Producer
"Scream It Out" String Arranger, Choir Arranger, Vocal Producer [17]
"The Greatest" Choir Arranger, Vocal Producer
"Paradise" String Arranger
2016 "O Holy Night" Songbook for Christmas Keyboards, Guitar, Strings Arranger, Vocal Arranger, Producer [18]
"Army – Abbey Road Performance" Army - EP Producer, Piano, Arranger, Strings [19]
"Love Me Like You Do – Abbey Road Version" Non-album single Piano, Guitar, Arranger, Strings, Production [20]
2017 "Avail" Arranger, Strings, Production, Writer [21]
Zendaya 2017 "Rewrite The Stars" (Acoustic) The Greatest Showman Guitar, Piano, Arranger, Producer [22]
Ellie Goulding 2020 "Love I'm Given" (Apple Music Home Session) Apple Music Home Session: Ellie Goulding Producer, String arranger, Guitar, Bass, Hammond Organ, Rhodes Piano [23]
Himself & Carlos García Valenica 2023 "Cloak & Dagger", "Last Man Standing", "Ready Aim Desire", "No Contest", "Cuts & Bruises", "Final Drive" Abbey Road Masters: Heavy On The Riff Lead Credits, Composer, Producer, Guitar Programming, [24]
Himself 2024 "Come Of Age", "Time Of Your Life" Abbey Road Masters: Folky Pop Lead Credits, Performer, Writer [25]
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Awards

His work on a piece of music called "Avail", which was used in an online advert to raise awareness about domestic violence, was awarded a Cannes Lions award in 2017. The piece of music was set to picture by Biscuit Filmworks production company, directed by Noam Murro, commissioned by Victim Support, choreographed by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui.

The piece of music was co written by Chris Ketley, Joe Kearns and Ellie Goulding, arranged By Chris Ketley, and co-produced by Chris Ketley and Joe Kearns.[21]

Endorsements

  • Gretsch Guitars[26]
  • Hofner Guitars[27]
  • Blackstar Amplification[28]

References

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