Legendary jazz drummer Jim Chapin passed away on July 4th, a few weeks shy of his 90th birthday. He had been ill the pasf few months. James Forbes Chapin was born in New York City on July 23, 1919. He studied drums with Ben Silver and fabled Rudimentalist, Sanford A. Moeller. In 1938 he left William & Mary College to pursue a career as a drummer. Chapin began to develop a left hand “shuffle” rhythm, an independent technique that he would devlop. In 1948 he wrote a book called, “Advanced Techniques for the Modern Drummer,” which is still referred to as “the Bible” by drummers and drum students all over the world.

Jim was also the father of the Chapin brothers – Harry, Tom, Stephen and James. The family hopes to present a memorial concert in New York City this fall to celebrate the life of Jim Chapin. We will share details as they become available.

For more on the incredible life of Jim Chapin, please visit his website at www.jimchapin.com .