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.
Chapin Jazz X-tet @ 129 Center Cut
Chapin Jazz X-tet @ Andy’s Records
Hear students from Chapin Jazz Studio and the Chapin Jazz X-tet at Andy’s Record’s Jazz Fest on Sunday, August 18th. Here’s the Chapin Jazz schedule at Andy’s
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- 2 pm–Students from Chapin Jazz Studio will perform blues, swing, and Latin tunes
- 3:30 pm–hear the Chapin Jazz X-tet share original tunes by X-tet members Dave Ness (guitar) and Bill Chapin (keyboard), backed by bassist Paul Nielsen and drummer Jim Richardson.
Congrats to our 2024 GJCW Jazzers
Well done to the 32 jazzers who explored jazz improvisation in the GJCW workshop in 2024. They ranged in age from 7th grade to adult and came from these area schools:
Grayslake Central High School, Grayslake North High School, Libertyville High School, Vernon Hills High School, Warren Township High School, Palombi Middle School, Hawthorne Middle School, Woodland Middle School, Round Lake Middle School, Mundelein High School, DePaul University, Mundelein High School, School of Life, Antioch High School, Antioch Middle School, Highland Middle School, Matthews Middle School, Prairie Ridge High School
We will post information about next year’s workshop in the spring. In the meantime, enjoy some scenes from the workshop.
Chapin Jazz X-tet Recording
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
Drew Chapin Scholarship
Funds for the annual $2,500 scholarship are raised through donations through the Grayslake Central High School Online Store.