Chris Murray in Bellvue

Chris Murray is a Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist who plays acoustic ska rooted in rocksteady and reggae. He first became known as the frontman of the Toronto band King Apparatus, then pursued solo work under his own name and as Venice Shoreline Chris. His catalogue includes “One Everything,” “The Voice You Never Hear” and the album The 4-Track Adventures of Venice Shoreline Chris. King Apparatus took Murray through club tours in Canada, the United States and Europe before the band separated. After settling in Los Angeles, he performed his songs alone with acoustic guitar and also formed the Chris Murray Combo for full-band shows. He later founded and hosted the weekly Bluebeat Lounge, giving ska artists and his own repertoire a recurring stage at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood.