An eclectic and versatile performer, clarinetist Chris Grymes’ playing has been described as “scintillating in its energy and technique” (The Clarinet), and “eloquent...animated and free of any interpretive self indulgence” (The Strad). Most recently, Mr. Grymes was praised by The New York Times for his “acuity” and The Baltimore Sun for his “admirable technical and expressive strengths”.

Equally at home in traditional and modern classical music, Chris is a strong proponent of exposing the process of the creation of art, commissioning and premiering many new works ranging from pieces for solo clarinet to concertos with orchestra, most recently giving the world premiere of Jeremy Gill’s “Notturno Concertante” with the Harrisburg Symphony. Always striving to “pull back the curtain”, Chris also writes about music and life, does podcast interviews of musicians and artists, and even livestreams his daily practice, all at opengrecords.com. Chris' first clarinet teacher was F. Edward Knakal in Virginia Beach, VA. Chris served as a tenured member of the faculty at the East Carolina University School of Music from 2001-2011, and currently lives in New York, NY with his wife and son, Saul.