Chris Powell has established himself as one of the UK’s foremost entertainment organists – both on pipe and electronic instruments.

Born in Manchester 1971, the Powell family emigrated to the South Island of New Zealand when Chris was just 2 years old. His first musical memories were indeed whilst in New Zealand when he took great fascination in a tour of the workings of the school chapel organ! Upon the family's return to England in 1977, the fascination was further nurtured by the commencement of organ and piano lessons as well as many hours spent as a keen chorister right throughout his schooling. By the time he was 16, he was already in demand to play for concerts and dances in the East Lancashire/West Yorkshire area which ultimately led to the realization of his ambition to join the team of organists at the world famous Blackpool Tower Ballroom. Chris enjoyed 2 happy seasons there playing the mighty Wurlitzer and electronic organs and has been fortunate to give several performances for both concerts and dances on that most famous theatre organ.

From his first appearance at Blackpool, invites quickly poured in. These rapidly saw Chris in demand to travel to all corners of the British Isles including the Channel Islands and the Isle Of Man. He also broadened his experience to include work in the commercial sector of the industry during this period. Chris performed roadshow and stand work for both Farfisa and Orla during the early nineties. There also came chances to work with a number of celebrities during this period. He was very honoured to have been asked to play for events in Blackpool with the 'Princess Royal' and former Labour Party Leader, Neil Kinnock as well as providing musical accompaniaments to scene in the TV programmes 'The South Bank Show' which was profiling Thora Hird and also 'The Big Breakfast with Keith Chegwin. Radio appearances have been numerous both on local radio stations in the UK; New Zealand and Australia as well as many tracks of his recordings being featured on BBC Radio 2's 'The Organist Entertains'.

A major highlight of the mid nineties was an invite to perform a series of theatre organ concerts in the land of his youth, 'New Zealand' from the Hollywood Theatre Organ Trust in Auckland. This led to an invitation to spend 12 months as Resident Organist for the fabulous Baycourt Theatre, Tauranga, which is home to a superb 2 manual 10 rank Wurlitzer. The 12 month contract took up the whole of 1996 and combined weekly concerts with teaching, music for dancing and playing for silent movies on the Wurlitzer as well as touring to different locations around New Zealand to give concerts.

A return to the UK in '97 saw the commencement of an intensive programme of visits to organ societies (both pipe and electronic), keyboard festivals and dance halls throughout the UK. Chris has now returned to New Zealand 8 times since '94 as well as recently giving 3 hugely successful tours of Australia. His trip in 2002 included an American theatre organ debut in Seattle where he played the incredible 4/48 Wurlitzer of the Wilcox Residence to some 400 people. Visits to mainland Europe are also common with concert weekends in Holland and several concerts in Zurich, Italy and Germany.

Chris now takes to the road with the stunning Roland Atelier AT-80SL (which is very kindly on loan from Roland UK) and Chris is very proud to be associated with such a stunning instrument.