Akasha

Akasha, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation dedicated to education through the preservation and advancement of the Thomas Chapin Music Legacy

As with many of the other masters who died so young – John Coltrane (40), Eric Dolphy (36), Charlie Parker (35), Clifford Brown (25) – Thomas’ legend has grown since his departure and will continue to grow. And as with them, the unanswered questions of what might have been are answered in part by the extraordinary body of work, much of it still unpublished, that he left behind. Thomas produced more than a dozen albums over the last 10 years of his life, but there are numerous unpublished recordings and unrecorded compositions from this period that, if made available to the public, will help extend his remarkable legacy to future generations of musicians and listeners.

All of these materials have been collected under the auspices of Akasha, Inc., a 501(c)(3) corporation established by his widow Terri Castillo-Chapin. Terri and a good number of other similarly dedicated musicians, professionals, family and friends are working together to produce and release these works for public availability, and keep Thomas’ indomitable spirit alive.

Already Akasha has placed Thomas’ archives with the Duke University Special Collections Library, has re-acquired all of his Knitting Factory recordings, has created the thomaschapin.com website, has released in 1999 an 8-CD boxed set of his Knitting Factory years with the Trio, called “Alive,” and also released in 2006, a CD of a live performance from North Sea Jazz Festival, 1995, said by many to be one of his finest performances.

In February 13 and 15, 2008, three well-attended public jazz concerts were held in New York City in remembrance of Thomas’ tenth year of passing. Called “Lift Off!”, these two nights of concerts, and one private loft-space concert, included some of the finest names in jazz from all over the world, including Paul Jeffrey, James Spaulding, Marty Ehrlich, Walter Thompson, Mario Pavone and Mike Sarin, among many other world-class musicians.

LATEST NEWS: FILM BIO DUE 2014. “Night Bird Song: The Thomas Chapin Story” by Emmy-winning filmmaker Stephanie J. Castillo is underway now: April, 2012, and is slated for completion in 2014. The documentary will be about Thomas, his life, how he came to play on the big world jazz stages and how he was “cut down” in his prime due to leukemia at age 40. DONATIONS ESP. FOR THIS EARLY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT STAGE, ARE WELCOMED AND CAN BE MADE HERE AT THE WEBSITE. GO TO “DONATE” AT TOP RIGHT. YOU WILL BE LISTED AS A FUNDER OF THE FILM HERE AT THE WEBSITE AND YOU’LL GET PERSONAL EMAILS ABOUT THE FILM’S PROGRESS.

Akasha is currently compiling and collecting various film and audio materials of Thomas, his performances and/or interviews, as well as related historical and biographical items. Akasha is also preparing to release all of sheet music and scores of his extended compositions for larger ensembles.

Akasha is also seeking other recordings, in audio, film, video and digital, as well as other miscellaneous materials in other formats, that may have been made of his fine performances by fans or presenters. Akasha welcomes response from the music community of any documented materials to be donated to his Legacy library and Duke archives. Contact by email: akasha@thomaschapin.com.

A tax-deductible contribution toward the effort of preserving and maintaining Thomas Chapin’s music legacy and keeping his music alive, are welcomed and can be made online (go to “Donations), or by sending a check or money order (U.S. dollars only accepted) made out to “Akasha, Inc.” For mailing instructions, contact by email: akasha@thomaschapin.com.

A limited supply of the now out-of-print “Night Bird Song” CD and “Alive” 8-CD boxed set gifts are available for more generous contributions. Please see ‘Donate to Akasha’ page for more details.

ACKNOWLEDGED DONORS TO DATE: Ruth Kohake, Ted Chapin and Torrence Boone & Chapin Family, including Sally (Chapin) and Les Caltvedt, nieces Sonia and Emily Caltvedt, Kermit Driscoll, Chisaho Shobu, Marc Medwin, Elizabeth King, Jerome Gransac, Emanuelle Torelli, Pamela Kraft, Stephanie Castillo, Glenn Wilson, Jim Pugh and Alain Julliard.