Welcome to the Official Thomas Chapin Website
A versatile multi-instrumentalist, bandleader and composer, in the 80s and 90s, Chapin led a trio performing his own music playing in New York City’s downtown scene, and at festivals and clubs around the world. An outstanding composer of larger works as well, he sometimes augmented the trio with strings and horn ensembles.
Though leukemia tragically ended his life in 1998 at age 40, Thomas Chapin left behind a legacy of many excellent albums and performances, and a reputation as one of jazz’s more extraordinary musicians and one of the few musicians to exist in both the worlds of the downtown, experimentalist scene and mainstream jazz. He continues to be a highly influential and inspirational force to those who knew him and to those who continue to know him through his music and example.
Inside
The Thomas Chapin Story
The complete story of Thomas Chapin’s musical evolution – his schooling, his influences, as musical director with Lionel Hampton, his trio years & legacy. (by Bob Blumenthal of The Boston Globe) more…
Ride Takes Off
Ride is landing on Top 10 lists by DJs & Critics across nation, including Bob Rogers, WSHA-FM; Maurice Hogue, CKUW-FM; Brain Morton, Jazz Review; Fred Grand, Jazz Review; and Jerry D’Souza, All About Jazz.
Read much much more in CD Reviews
All New! Exclusive Web Interviews
“[Thomas was] a lightning-fast alto player… He was demonic – the level of intensity was there in his solos, even though he was using a bop vocabulary. He always took you on a journey from the accessible, normal jazz vocabulary out into something you never heard before.” – John Phillips, President, Festival Productions
Ride - CD Release
The Thomas Chapin Trio CD, Ride (Playscape, 6/06) is the first live European concert ever released. Includes two new tunes “Pet Scorpion” and “Ticket to Ride.” more…