Chris Wagoner

Originally from Oskaloosa, Iowa, Chris Wagoner relocated to Madison in 1984 to enroll in UW-Madison's music department, and has been a regular fixture on the Madison music scene ever since. He has been a founding member of several of Madison's most popular groups: Harmonious Wail (vintage string jazz), The Common Faces (folk-soul), and most recently, The Moon Gypsies (Americana/Folk-Pop). He has also been a frequent guest with many other Madison groups including: Honor Among Thieves, Spooner, Chris Plata, and Willy Porter.

As a multi-instrumentalist, Wagoner has enjoyed an active studio session career as well, having contributed instrumental and vocal parts to master session career as well, having contributed instrumental and vocal parts to master sessions such as The Smashing Pumpkins' Gish album, EMF's It's You (a Butch Vig remix), Willy Porter's Falling Forward album and scores of other major and indie-label releases and commercial jingle sessions. In addition to live performance and session work, Wagoner teaches private violin lessons, both at Spruce Tree Music (Madison), and at Acoustic City (his privately-run studio located at 341 State Street in Madison), covering many styles from Classical to Folk, Blues, and Jazz improv, and all levels - beginner to expert. Together with his wife, Mary Gaines (also a UW alum), Wagoner tours and records with their group, The Moon Gypsies and continues to contribute instrumental talent to all kinds of recording sessions (www.studiostrings.com).