At age 11, Cyril Lance's Mom brought home a $17 guitar and a book of Bob Dylan lyrics that sent him off on a journey that he is still on today. His first two discoveries as an adolescent growing up Honolulu Hawai'i, apart from the vibrant slack-key Hawai'ian music revival was blues-great Muddy Waters and jazz-great Kenny Burrell. Both of these icons have remained pivotal inspirations for Lance on his winding exploration of the American music experience for the last 25 years.

In the mid-80's, Lance moved to Boston where he immersed himself in the music scene and played his guitar with bands from bluegrass, folk, celtic, jazz, reggae, blues and art-rock for the next 10 years. While in Boston, Lance studied at the New England Conservatory where he further developed his concepts of improvisation and a deep respect for roots music.

After moving to the piedmont of North Carolina in 1994, Lance discovered that he had landed in an area rich with a living history of blues and roots music and quickly fell into zydeco and blues harmonica player Mel Melton's Wicked Mojo's with whom he toured for three years around the country and Europe. During these three years, Lance honed his skills as a blues improvisor and developed his unique style on slide guitar.

In 2001, Lance produced, wrote and recorded his debut solo album "Stranger in My House" which was received with critical acclaim by the likes of Billboard Magazine, Blues Revue, Relix Magazine as well as major publications in Europe. "Stranger" is a deep brew of original roots-blues infused with passionate soloing featuring Lance's electric, slide and lap-steel playing, Grammy-Nominee Johnny Neel (Allman Brothers, Warren Haynes...) heart-wrenching vocals and Boston-based Hammond B3/piano player Matt Jenson incredible keyboard playing backed by Lance's long-time roadmates Chris Carroll and Kelly Pace on bass and drums.

Over the last two years, Lance and his band "Outskirts of Infinity Collective Experience Arkestra" toured regionally in the south-east honing a show tailored to Lance's vision and has built a reputation for shows that combine deep songwriting and roots grooves with passionate and spontaneous improvisational explorations that has made him equally at home in both the blues circuit and the jamband scene.

Based on this touring, Lance has just released (Sept. 2004) his second CD "LIVE from the OUTSKIRTS" which has already met with similar acclaim as his first album. "LIVE" perfectly captures what makes Lance and his band so special in performance. Lance is currently recording his third album which will further the boundaries of American roots music due to be released in 2005.

Lance has performed and recorded with Johnny Neel (Allman Brothers, Gov't Mule, Warren Haynes), C.J. Chenier (Red Hot Louisiana Band), Mel Melton (CJ Chenier, Sonny Landreth, his Wicked Mojos), Louisiana Red (Handy Award Winner), Katherin Whalen (Squirrel Nut Zippers), Bernard Allison and Edie Shaw.

"Cyril Lance is an immensely talented guitarist and a real crowd pleaser. His powerful live set at the 18th annual Carolina Blues Festival set the tone for the rest of the day!" John Amberg, 2004 Carolina Blues Festival Chair.