Thomas Chapin
Encyclopedia
Thomas Chapin was an American
composer
and saxophonist
/multi-instrumentalist. Though primarily an alto saxophonist
, he also played sopranino saxophone
and various flutes.
Most of his recordings as a leader featured his trio with drummer Michael Sarin and bassist Mario Pavone
, occasionally joined by guests.
Chapin studied with Jackie McLean
and Paul Jeffrey
. He played with Lionel Hampton
.
Chapin died of leukemia
three weeks before his 41st birthday. He last played two weeks before his death, at a benefit concert.
(all eight Knitting Factory discs are also included in the box set Alive)
Co-leader with Borah Bergman
:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and saxophonist
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
/multi-instrumentalist. Though primarily an alto saxophonist
Alto saxophone
The alto saxophone is a member of the saxophone family of woodwind instruments invented by Belgian instrument designer Adolphe Sax in 1841. It is smaller than the tenor but larger than the soprano, and is the type most used in classical compositions...
, he also played sopranino saxophone
Sopranino saxophone
The sopranino saxophone is one of the smallest members of the saxophone family. A sopranino saxophone is tuned in the key of E, and sounds an octave above the alto saxophone. This saxophone has a sweet sound and although the sopranino is one of the least common of the saxophones in regular use...
and various flutes.
Most of his recordings as a leader featured his trio with drummer Michael Sarin and bassist Mario Pavone
Mario Pavone
Mario Pavone is an American jazz bassist.He grew up in Waterbury, Connecticut and began performing in 1965. He was a member of Paul Bley's trio during 1968-72, and Bill Dixon's trio during the 1980s. He also performed with such musicians as Barry Altschul, Wadada Leo Smith, and Gerry Hemingway...
, occasionally joined by guests.
Chapin studied with Jackie McLean
Jackie McLean
John Lenwood McLean was an American jazz alto saxophonist, composer, bandleader and educator, born in New York City.-Biography:McLean's father, John Sr., played guitar in Tiny Bradshaw's orchestra...
and Paul Jeffrey
Paul Jeffrey
Paul Jeffrey is an American jazz tenor saxophonist, arranger, and educator born in New York City. Perhaps best known for performing with Thelonious Monk from 1970–1975, Jeffrey also worked with musicians including Charles Mingus, Dizzy Gillespie, Clark Terry, Lionel Hampton, B.B...
. He played with Lionel Hampton
Lionel Hampton
Lionel Leo Hampton was an American jazz vibraphonist, pianist, percussionist, bandleader and actor. Like Red Norvo, he was one of the first jazz vibraphone players. Hampton ranks among the great names in jazz history, having worked with a who's who of jazz musicians, from Benny Goodman and Buddy...
.
Chapin died of leukemia
Leukemia
Leukemia or leukaemia is a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase of immature white blood cells called "blasts". Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases...
three weeks before his 41st birthday. He last played two weeks before his death, at a benefit concert.
As leader
- Radius (1984, Muworks)
- Third Force (1991, Knitting Factory)
- Anima (1991, Knitting Factory)
- Insomnia (1992, Knitting Factory)
- Night Bird Song (1992, Knitting Factory)
- Live! On Tour (1992, Knitting Factory)
- I've Got Your Number (1993, Arabesque)
- Menagerie Dreams (1994, Knitting Factory, with John ZornJohn ZornJohn Zorn is an American avant-garde composer, arranger, record producer, saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist. Zorn is a prolific artist: he has hundreds of album credits as performer, composer, or producer...
) - You Don't Know Me (1994, Arabesque)
- Haywire (1996, Knitting Factory)
- Sky Piece (1996, Knitting Factory)
(all eight Knitting Factory discs are also included in the box set Alive)
Co-leader with Borah Bergman
Borah Bergman
Borah Bergman is an American free jazz pianist.Bergman learned clarinet as a child, and did not commence studies on piano until adulthood. He developed his left hand playing to the point where he became essentially ambidextrous as a pianist, and can play equally fast in both hands...
:
- Inversions (1992, Muworks)
- Toronto 1997 (1997, Boxholder)
As sideman
- Michael BlakeMichael BlakeMichael Lennox Blake is an American author, best known for his film adaptation of his novel Dances with Wolves.-Biography:...
: Kingdom of Champa (1996, Intuition) - Anthony BraxtonAnthony BraxtonAnthony Braxton is an American composer, saxophonist, clarinettist, flautist, pianist, and philosopher. Braxton has released well over 100 albums since the 1960s...
/Mario PavoneMario PavoneMario Pavone is an American jazz bassist.He grew up in Waterbury, Connecticut and began performing in 1965. He was a member of Paul Bley's trio during 1968-72, and Bill Dixon's trio during the 1980s. He also performed with such musicians as Barry Altschul, Wadada Leo Smith, and Gerry Hemingway...
Quintet: Seven Standards 1995 (1995, Knitting Factory) - Misako Kano: Breakthrew (1996, Paddlewheel/King (Japan))
- Misako Kano: Watch Out (1996, Knitting Factory)
- John McCrackenJohn McCrackenJohn Harvey McCracken was a contemporary artist who lived and worked in Santa Fe, New Mexico and New York.- Education/teaching :...
& Outloud: Blood from a Tone (1992, MuWorks) - Medeski Martin & WoodMedeski Martin & WoodMedeski Martin & Wood is an American jazz trio formed in 1991, consisting of John Medeski on keyboards and piano, Billy Martin on drums and percussion, and Chris Wood on double bass and bass guitar....
: Notes from the Underground (1992, hap-Jones) - Mario PavoneMario PavoneMario Pavone is an American jazz bassist.He grew up in Waterbury, Connecticut and began performing in 1965. He was a member of Paul Bley's trio during 1968-72, and Bill Dixon's trio during the 1980s. He also performed with such musicians as Barry Altschul, Wadada Leo Smith, and Gerry Hemingway...
: Sharpeville (1985, Alacra, reissued by Playscape) - Mario PavoneMario PavoneMario Pavone is an American jazz bassist.He grew up in Waterbury, Connecticut and began performing in 1965. He was a member of Paul Bley's trio during 1968-72, and Bill Dixon's trio during the 1980s. He also performed with such musicians as Barry Altschul, Wadada Leo Smith, and Gerry Hemingway...
: Toulon Days (1991, New World CounterCurrents) - Mario PavoneMario PavoneMario Pavone is an American jazz bassist.He grew up in Waterbury, Connecticut and began performing in 1965. He was a member of Paul Bley's trio during 1968-72, and Bill Dixon's trio during the 1980s. He also performed with such musicians as Barry Altschul, Wadada Leo Smith, and Gerry Hemingway...
: song for (Septet) (1993, New World CounterCurrents) - Mario PavoneMario PavoneMario Pavone is an American jazz bassist.He grew up in Waterbury, Connecticut and began performing in 1965. He was a member of Paul Bley's trio during 1968-72, and Bill Dixon's trio during the 1980s. He also performed with such musicians as Barry Altschul, Wadada Leo Smith, and Gerry Hemingway...
: Dancers Tales (1996, Knitting Factory) - Ned RothenbergNed RothenbergNed Rothenberg is an American multi-instrumentalist and composer. He specializes in woodwind instruments, including the alto saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet, flute, and shakuhachi...
Double Band: Overlays (1991, Moers) - Ned RothenbergNed RothenbergNed Rothenberg is an American multi-instrumentalist and composer. He specializes in woodwind instruments, including the alto saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet, flute, and shakuhachi...
Double Band: Real and Imagined Time (1993, Moers) - Tom VarnerTom VarnerTom Varner is an American jazz horn player and composer.Varner studied piano in his youth with Capitola Dickerson of Summit, New Jersey. He holds a B.M...
: Long Night Big Day (1990, New World) - Machine GunMachine Gun (band)Machine Gun was an improvising band formed in New York City in 1986. Its members were: Robert Musso: guitars, Thomas Chapin: reeds and flute, John Richey: vocals, cut-ups, tapes, tv, Bil Bryant: drums, Jair-Rohm Parker Wells: basses...
: Machine Gun (1988, MuWorks) - Machine GunMachine Gun (band)Machine Gun was an improvising band formed in New York City in 1986. Its members were: Robert Musso: guitars, Thomas Chapin: reeds and flute, John Richey: vocals, cut-ups, tapes, tv, Bil Bryant: drums, Jair-Rohm Parker Wells: basses...
: Open Fire (1989, MuWorks) - Machine GunMachine Gun (band)Machine Gun was an improvising band formed in New York City in 1986. Its members were: Robert Musso: guitars, Thomas Chapin: reeds and flute, John Richey: vocals, cut-ups, tapes, tv, Bil Bryant: drums, Jair-Rohm Parker Wells: basses...
: Pass The Ammo (1990, MuWorks)