By Gary Wien
originally published: 08/01/2004
It takes a certain level of courage to go out on stage under your own name. For years, Chris Buono said he hid under various band names. This year, Chris has decided to take center stage and place his own name and reputation on the marque. In doing so, he hopes to further his career in more ways than one.
Chris Buono is one of the most talented guitarists in the area. He's a staff member at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. He teaches at Berklee once a week and also provides private instruction at his house in Toms River and in New York City.
Even though he's led bands before, this is the first time he's done shows billed just as Chris Buono, an Avante-Jazz/Rock guitarist.
"I'm exposing myself a little more," said Buono. "It's a little more nervewrecking."
Buono believes that by putting his name out there as much as possible it will ultimately help his teaching career as well as his career as a performing artist. He's played recent shows at the Grenville in Bay Head and Paul's Cabin in Belmar.
"I may have hurt myself by using all of these other names of bands and not concentrating on one or two," he continued. "I would just get a gig, a bunch of guys and put a name on it. But I shouldn't have been doing that. I should have been doing what someone like Pat Methany does. Pat Methany is Pat Methany no matter what he's doing. He's got the Pat Methany Group and usually that's the same set of guys and a certain type of material, but other than that everything else that he does he's Pat Methany. When he guests on a record that name is so important now that you put it on the cover of your record. You put 'featuring Pat Methany.'"
If that sounds a bit ambitious consider the fact that Buono recently had his book, "Jazz Lead Guitar Solos," published by Alfred Publications - a very well respected publisher for music books. The 96-page book is geared towards blues and rock players who are trying to learn the concepts of jazz improvization. He's approaching his publisher with an idea for another book, but he's also got grander plans this time around. He's hoping to be able to create a DVD series of his lessons.
Whether he's teaching at Berklee or at home, Buono tries to help his students find their own groove.
"I'm always trying to get a guy to find out who he is," said Buono. "Because that's the only way my career ever got going. Things started to happen when I finally started to listen to all of the musicians that told me to find your own voice. It takes a while to understand what the hell they're talking about. I'm trying to get guys to find their own thing and I'm trying to show them what I'm doing. Like with my gig at the Grenville (in Bay Head.) I'm doing the gig, doing what they ask me, but I'm doing it my own way and doing it with my own colors and sounds. It's not an easy thing to do."
Buono's style of music isn't one that has been seen too often in this area. In addition to his somewhat normal jazz shows at the Grenville, he's let it all out at places like Paul's Cabin in Belmar. Those crowds have seen him taking a chance and experimenting on stage. Luckily for him, fans of the jamband scene have started coming out to his shows and enjoying what they see.
"The last time I played Paul's was the best one," said Buono. "I had the most people there I've never seen before. They even came from across the street. There were a bunch of hippies there and they were enjoying themselves. I saw one make a call on his cellphone and hold the phone up while I was playing. Within the next twenty minutes all of them came in from McCann's across the street and hung out for the second set.
"I'm putting out my own music, and my own arrangements of some tunes. And I'm getting a mixed response. People either love it or simply don't get it."
While his performing career is just getting back in swing, Buono's teaching career has been building ever since he was named to the staff at Berklee. He's been getting emails from people all over the world seeking private instruction. Currently, he has regular students come to his house for instruction from as far away as Philadelphia and New York City.
If you're looking for a top notch instructor, visit www.chrisbuono.com and see how he can help you find your own voice - just as he has.
About the author:
Gary Wien has been covering the arts since 2001 and has had work published with Jersey Arts, Upstage Magazine, Elmore Magazine, Princeton Magazine, Backstreets and other publications. He is a three-time winner of the Asbury Music Award for Top Music Journalist and the author of
Beyond the Palace (the first book on the history of rock and roll in Asbury Park) and
Are You Listening? The Top 100 Albums of 2001-2010 by New Jersey Artists. In addition, he runs New Jersey Stage and the online radio station
The Penguin Rocks. His personal website is at
lightyscorner.com. He can be contacted at
[email protected].
Griffin House
Friday, November 13, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ“If you are looking to be blown away by raw talent, then look no further than Griffin House.” —American Songwriter
Floyd Pink - Celebrating The Music Of Pink Floyd
Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJFLOYD PINK is a Pink Floyd tribute band from the New York metro area, celebrating the music of Pink Floyd.
Geoff Tate’s Operation: Mindcrime
Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJMulti-platinum selling, Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Geoff Tate is best known for his 30-plus years as the creative and driving force behind the progressive metal band Queensryche. Since its inception with Geoff at the helm, Queensryche has sold over 20 million albums worldwide and has performed in upwards of fifty countries. Geoff is regarded as one of the most skilled vocalists in the genre with hundreds of modern, popular artists citing him and his former band as a major influence. Combining social consciousness and expertly crafted lyrics with high-energy, melodically complex music, Queensryche with Geoff Tate at the forefront became internationally recognized as the thinking man’s rock band. The band’s first three albums — their self-titled EP (1983), The Warning (1984) and Rage for Order (1986) — all hit gold status selling over 500,000 units each.
Jesse Cook
Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 8:00pm
NJPAC - Victoria Theater
1 Center Street, Newark, NJA global artist in every sense of the term, Jesse Cook redefines music’s power to connect people across cultures and continents. The Paris-born, Toronto-raised master of the Spanish guitar weaves together flamenco, samba, jazz and world folk traditions into something spellbinding and uniquely his own. On stage, Cook radiates infectious energy — collaborating with his band to craft immersive experiences celebrated for their warmth, precision and emotional depth. With over a billion streams and views across platforms, his sound remains as relevant as it is revered.
Don Mclean & Lee Greenwood
Sunday, November 15, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJTwo iconic singers perform their hits and celebrate America’s 250 birthday! Singer/songwriter Don McLean is best known for the classic hit “American Pie,” as well as “Vincent” and “Castles in the Air.” Country superstar Lee Greenwood has seven top charting singles, including “I.O.U,” “It Turns Me Inside Out,” and the patriotic favorite, “God Bless the U.S.A.”
EVENT PREVIEWS
NJPAC presents Gregory Porter with special guests Madeleine Peyroux and Catherine Russell
(NEWARK, NJ) -- With a voice that can fill a concert hall and make every listener feel personally embraced, Gregory Porter has become one of the most beloved artists in contemporary jazz. On Friday, November 13, 2026 at 8:00pm, the two-time GRAMMY® winner returns to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) with special guests Madeleine Peyroux and Catherine Russell for an evening of soulful expression, exquisite storytelling and remarkable vocal artistry, presented as part of the TD James Moody Jazz Festival.
Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Griffin House on Friday
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Griffin House on Friday, November 13, 2026 at 7:30pm. Griffin House is an American singer-songwriter and storyteller who has been making records for over 20 years.
KANSAS to perform at Scottish Rite Auditorium on Friday
(COLLINGSWOOD, NJ) -- One of classic rock's most iconic bands, KANSAS, will perform at the Scottish Rite Auditorium on Friday, November 13, 2026 at 8:00pm. This "garage band" from Topeka released their debut album in 1974 after being discovered by Wally Gold, who worked for Don Kirshner, and have gone on to sell more than 30 million albums worldwide. A limited number of tickets remain.
NJPAC presents Jesse Cook on Saturday
(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents Jesse Cook on Saturday, November 14, 2026 in the Victoria Theater at 8:00pm. A global artist in every sense of the term, Jesse Cook redefines music's power to connect people across cultures and continents.
Forte Piano Music Company presents Exquisite Contrasts: Haydn & Schubert Piano Trios
(PARAMUS, NJ) -- The Forte Piano Music Company presents a Piano Trio Concert - "Exquisite Contrasts" - Haydn & Schubert on Sunday, November 15, 2026 at 2:30pm. This program brings together two landmarks of the piano trio repertoire, revealing the evolution of the genre from the Classical era to early Romanticism.
Mahwah Museum Hosts "Les Paul from Start to Finish" with Jim Wysocki
(MAHWAH, NJ) -- Come to the Mahwah Museum on Sunday, November 15, 2026 for a discussion of a 29-year friendship, rare memorabilia, and the story behind Les Paul's home with Mahwah Mayor Jim Wysocki from his nearly three-decade friendship with legendary musician and inventor Les Paul. The event begins at 2:00pm.
Atlantic City Punk Rock Flea Market - Holiday Edition to take place on Sunday
(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- You can get your holiday shopping done on Sunday, November 15, 2026 when Anchor Rock Club hosts the Atlantic City Punk Rock Flea Market - Holiday Edition. The event runs from noon to 6:00pm.
Song of the Meadowlark takes place on Sunday in Hopewell
(HOPEWELL, NJ) -- Song of the Meadowlark takes place Sunday, November 15, 2026 at Highland Design Farm. This is a meditative rock odyssey weaving reimagined contemporary songs, stream-of-consciousness poetry, and live painting. Doors are at 2:00pm, showtime is 2:30pm.
Avenel Performing Arts Center presents Chris Smither
(AVENEL, NJ) -- Chris Smither will perform at the Avenel Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, November 18, 2026 at 7:30pm. Born in Miami, during World War II, Chris Smither grew up in New Orleans where he first started playing music as a child. The son of a Tulane University professor, he was taught the rudiments of instrumentation by his uncle on his mother's ukulele.
Rufus Wainwright to Perform with Princeton "Super-Orchestra" at McCarter Theatre
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- On Thursday, November 19, 2026 at 7:30pm, GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright takes the McCarter stage for one night only with the Princeton Playhouse Sinfonia, a dynamic new collaborative ensemble created specifically for this concert.
