Chris Stephens (musician)
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Chris Stephens | |
|---|---|
 Chris Stephens performing at MU School of Music, September 4, 2024 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 11 May 1983 Dexter, Missouri, US |
| Genres | World music |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Years active | 2004 – |
Chris Stephens (born May 11, 1983) is an American musician who specializes in lutes from the Silk Road (Middle East, Persia, India, and Asia) as well as guitar and banjo.[1]
Stephens studied anthropology and geography at the University of Missouri and Southeast Missouri State University. He started as a guitar player, belonging to the jam band scene of the late early 2000s which primed his interest in improvisation. After hearing Bela Fleck, he was inspired to take up learning eastern music.[2] His curiosity led him to learn instruments such as the oud, sitar, pipa, shamisen, tar, baglama, as well as the banjo, which is central to American bluegrass music.[3][4] He studied sitar under Imrat Khan.[5]