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c.ladd

Christopher James Ladd (a.k.a. ‘c.ladd’) is a guitarist, singer, songwriter, educator and social activist from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; where he currently resides. He writes profound, beautiful, clever, poetic, intelligent, simple, innovative songs and lyrics. His vocals are lush and periodically dissonant reminiscent of Lou Reed. His openness to learning and playing any style of music makes it difficult to categorize his music. Chris Ladd began playing guitar at the age of ten years old and quickly gained a high level of proficiency on this instrument. By the age of eighteen he was teaching 40 to 50 students a week and formally studying jazz and classical guitar. He began to sing and write songs at this time and fronted his first band, the legendary ʻBent Outta Shape.ʼ Bent Outta Shape was an intense and dynamic trio that played all styles of music with a heavy edge; featuring Steve Benedicktson on bass and Garry Scott on drums. Past members were: Jason Kane (drums - the New Meanies), Chantal Kreviazuk and Julie Biggs (vocals). The band toured several times and recorded one full length studio album, “The All- Night Show,” and demoʼd a second, (unreleased) fourteen song album. For awhile in Winnipeg, c.ladd was better known for founding and running Canadaʼs only free, independent, outdoor, annual (three day and eventually week long) music festivals, called the Core Area Music Festival - Corefest. The event ran for eight years (1993 - 2000) and was a huge success. Record labels, agents, local and national media became regular attendees alongside thousands of anti-corporate, music enthusiasts. c.laddʼs second band, walkie talkie was a quartet featuring dual frontman, Ernie Wood (guitar/vocals) and the Kroeker brothers (Bob and Russ, drums and bass). walkie talkie toured several times and released two full length studio albums, “playset” and “the classics and the heavies.” The Adventures, c.laddʼs jazz, surf instrumental act, has been performing for the past six years alongside his other musical endeavors. The Adventures primarily perform specialty shows (casino, festival, corporate/private events). Chris Ladd is currently nearing completion of his debut self-titled album. After the passing of his longtime friend, Ashley McCurdy, Ladd continued Ashley’s work with the charity “Guitars For Kids.” Ladd is actively involved in teaching guitar to inner city and incarcerated youth. He is an educator working at a high school in Winnipeg’s north end.