3 Generations of the musical CHAPIN FAMILY pay tribute to the beloved Harry Chapin in A Celebration In Song
This live concert recording features some of Harry\'s best known songs and more, and stars...
Tom Chapin, Steve Chapin, Jen Chapin, Jim Chapin,
The Chapin Sisters: Abigail Chapin, Lily Chapin, Jessica Craven,
with Stephan Crump, Jamie Fox, Jon Cobert, Michael Mark,
and members of the original Harry Chapin Band ~
Big John Wallace and Howard Fields
with Ann Kim on cello
Harry Chapin (1942 - 1981) was one of our most passionate, political, prolific and inspiring songwriters. Author and singer of classic songs like “Taxi,” “Mr. Tanner,” “Mail Order Annie” and “W•O•L•D.” A devastating auto accident in 1981 cut Harry’s life short, yet he left behind a body of work that his fans continue to treasure decades after his death. He is also remembered as a great humanitarian: public advocate and educator, fund-raiser, musician, writer, filmmaker, Harry believed in believing. Because of his extraordinary contributions, Harry Chapin was posthumously awarded the Special Congressional Gold Medal in 1987.
Twenty-five years after his death, a few friends, two of whom happen to be his brothers, thought it might be fun to get together, sing some songs, and show you that the legend is a family thing! This CD, recorded live at the IMAC Theatre in Huntington, LI, commemorates an evening full of story, humor and transcendent music, performed by those who knew and loved him best.
Harry Chapin: A Celebration In Song features performances by The Chapin Family, including...
Tom Chapin, 3 time Grammy award winning singer/songwriter who’s been called…
“…one of the great personalities in contemporary folk music” by The New York Times, and
“…the best family artist around” by Billboard Magazine
Steve Chapin, singer/songwriter and Clio award winner and the multitalented producer, director, pianist, and vocalist who arranged and led Harry’s Band.
Jen Chapin, Harry’s daughter, is a New York-based singer-songwriter, “…a remarkable presence onstage.” Her recordings have earned the highest praise from sources as diverse as National Public Radio\'s All Things Considered, People, The Today Show, and Entertainment Weekly. The Boston
Globe called her simply: “addictive.” Jen also serves as Chair of the Board of WHY (World Hunger Year, the hunger organization that Harry Chapin founded in 1975.)
Jim Chapin, father of the Chapin Brothers, jazz drummer and teacher who performed and toured with the Big Bands of the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s and authored one of the top drumming books of all time. At the age of 87, Jim still travels around the world presenting his legendary drum seminars.
The Chapin Sisters: Abigail Chapin, Lily Chapin and Jessica Craven, Tom’s daughters have been singing together informally their whole lives, but professionally for just two years. Yet their unique blend of traditional folk harmonies and indie rock moodiness (think Crosby Stills and Nash meets Cat Power) has been winning them an increasing number of fans.
Big John Wallace, Harry’s longtime bassman and sidekick: the high voice in “Taxi” and the low voice in “Mr. Tanner.” John and the Chapins have been making music together since their choir-boy days in 1955. Big John is a cult figure to all serious Harry Chapin fans.
Howard Fields, Harry’s first and only drummer, played on Broadway in Harry’s “The Night That Made America Famous.” He has written more than 20 drum transcription books, and published “The Drum Teacher,” a teaching aid for beginning drummers.
Stephan Crump, jazz acoustic bass whiz and Jamie Fox, a major talent on guitar, Jon Cobert, extraordinary keyboardist and singer, composer of the “Baseball Tonight” theme on ESPN, and Michael Mark, Tom’s longtime bassman and vocalist, the composer of TV’s “Entertainment Tonight” theme.
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this CD goes to support Long Island Cares (www.licares.org), one of the anti-hunger agencies founded by Harry in 1980.
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