Thomas Chapin

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Thomas Chapin (born March 9, 1957, d. February 13, 1998) 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.

[edit] Selected Discography

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 Zorn)
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:

Inversions (1992, Muworks)
Toronto 1997 (1997, Boxholder)

As sideman:

Michael Blake: Kingdom of Champa (1996, Intuition)
Anthony Braxton/Mario Pavone Quintet: Seven Standards 1995 (1995, Knitting Factory)
Misako Kano: Breakthrew (1996, Paddlewheel/King (Japan))
Misako Kano: Watch Out (1996, Knitting Factory)
John McCracken & Outloud: Blood from a Tone (1992, MuWorks)
Medeski Martin & Wood: Notes from the Underground (1992, hap-Jones)
Mario Pavone: Sharpeville (1985, Alacra, reissued by Playscape)
Mario Pavone: Toulon Days (1991, New World CounterCurrents)
Mario Pavone: song for (Septet) (1993, New World CounterCurrents)
Mario Pavone: Dancers Tales (1996, Knitting Factory)
Ned Rothenberg Double Band: Overlays (1991, Moers)
Ned Rothenberg Double Band: Real and Imagined Time (1993, Moers)
Tom Varner: Long Night Big Day (1990, New World)