American composer and saxophonist and multi instrumentalist Thomas Chapin, was born on March 9,1957. 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 was Lionel Hampton's bandleader during the 80s.
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, 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.
He died of leukemia three weeks before his 41 birthday, on February 1998. He last played two weeks before his death, at a benefit concert.
Thomas at the Newport Jazz Festival.
Reference - Wikipédia
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