Creative growth through improvisation
Welcome to the web site of Bill Chapin, jazz pianist and teacher. Bill plays and teaches jazz piano and bass, leads his own jazz combo, and coordinates the Grayslake Jazz Combo Workshop from his creative space, Chapin Jazz Studio. Explore the site and sign up for the monthly newsletter to learn more about opportunities to learn jazz at the studio and to hear jazz where Bill is playing.
CJS Student Jazz Showcase
Jazz piano students from Chapin Jazz Studio will perform blues, swing, and Latin jazz selections, backed by a professional rhythm section.
Wed, Jun 26-– 7-8 pm
Grayslake Heritage Center and Museum, 164 Hawley St, Grayslake, IL 60030
Chapin Jazz X-tet at Lake House Lake Bluff
Come join the X-tet at the LakeHouse. In April the sextet is featuring jazz tunes about spring, such as Joy Spring, it Might As Well Be Spring, April in Paris, and I’ll Remember April. In May, we will be featuring Latin jazz.
- Fri 4/12 ~ 6:30-8:30 pm
- Sat 4/20 ~ 6-8 pm
- Fri 4/26 ~ 6:30-8:30 pm
- Sat 5/4 ~ 6-8 pm (Come out and see Tim Licocci play with us again)
- Fri 5/10 ~ 6:30-8:30 pm
- Sat 5/18 (No band at the LakeHouse!) We will be playing at St. Pat’s in Wadsworth form 5-7 pm. Public is welcome.
- Fri 5/24 ~ 6:30-8:30 pm
525 Rockland Road, Lake Bluff IL
Call 847-295-7140 for reservations
Gigs
The Bill Chapin Jazz X-tet, a combo performing modern jazz, performs regularly in the Chicago area. Playing in formats from one to six pieces, the X-tet provides the sleek sound of solo piano, the pulse of a trio, or the harmonies of a full combo with saxophone, trumpet and trombone. Perfect for upscale dining and lounges, classy cocktail hours and receptions, fundraisers and galas, and corporate events.
Lessons
The Chapin Jazz Studio offers lessons for the serious jazz pianist, for instrumentalists wanting to learn theory and explore jazz piano, and for anyone wanting to experience the fun of playing jazz piano. The studio also offers a monthly jazz jam session, jazz solo coaching, and instruction on jazz bass and composition. The Grayslake Jazz Combo Workshop, where students study jazz every summer, also calls the studio home.
Meet Bill Chapin
Bill Chapin has performed as a professional pianist in the Chicago area since 1978 – as a leader of a combo, as a free-lance member of a variety of groups, and as a solo jazz pianist. As a teacher he has coached a succession of jazz pianists and improvisers at Chapin Jazz Studio, where he offers private lessons and other jazz-related learning opportunities. His students range in age from 10 through adult; and for each learner Bill’s goal is “creative growth through improvisation.”
Drew Chapin Scholarship
The Drew Chapin Memorial Scholarship for Change memorializes Drew Chapin, now deceased, a 2003 graduate of GCHS who lived his life consciously and was committed to family, the pursuit of knowledge, respect for all persons and cultures, peace, and celebrating life. The scholarship honors Grayslake Central High School students who are knowledgeable about national and international social problems and have a personal philosophy about what actions they might take to improve some aspect of our world.
Funds for the annual $2,000 scholarship are raised through the Drew Chapin Memorial Jazz Jam and Concert, held in August. At this annual concert area jazz musicians hold a jazz jam session and concert at the Grayslake Central Park Pavilion.