THOMAS CHAPIN
NIGHT BIRD SONG
THE INCANDESCENT LIFE OF
BEST MUSIC DOCUMENTARY ASBURY PARK
2017
JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER
2017
BEST STORY NICE, FRANCE 2016
MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL 2016
a music documentary by EMMY-winning filmmaker Stephanie J. Castillo
presents
“Night Bird Song flows with remarkable fluidity. The timing feels flawless. This is a superbly assembled work..”
"Night Bird Song tells the sad but inspiring story of the boundary-blasting saxophonist."
"This documentary film reminds jazz fans of what a potent force Chapin was on the ’90s jazz scene."
REVIEWS
An intimate and engaging documentary, NIGHT BIRD SONG: THE INCANDESCENT LIFE OF THOMAS CHAPIN tells the fascinating story behind the life and music of jazz great Thomas Chapin. A virtuoso from NYC’s downtown scene in the 80’s and 90’s, his brilliant compositions and work in a broad breath of music explorations, left critics and fellow musicians alike, amazed at his ability to bend the genre of jazz with innovative originality.
A versatile multi-instrumentalist, bandleader and composer, Thomas 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 in 1998 at age 40, Thomas Chapin left behind a legacy of superb recordings and performances, and a reputation as one of jazz’s more extraordinary musicians – 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.
FILM SYNOPSIS
RANDOM MEDIA presents
a film by STEPHANIE J. CASTILLO in association with ‘Olena Productions
Music by THOMAS DURFEE CHAPIN performed by the THOMAS CHAPIN TRIO
Narrated by KATHRYN IZON
Photography by HUGH WALSH IGOR ANDREVSKI RICHARD DEAN
Executive Producers TED CHAPIN TORRENCE BOONE
Associate Producers DEAN SENSUI MARIO PAVONE ABBY LONDON-CRAWFORD MICHAEL DORF
Written & Produced by STEPHANIE J. CASTILLO NOEL M. IZON
Directed & Edited by STEPHANIE J. CASTILLO
Our fiscal sponsor, AKASHA INC.,
is a legacy foundation for the preservation and promotion of Thomas Chapin and his music.
For more information about the making of the film, go to
