(We Made) Some Incredible MusicMichael Sarin, Drummer, Thomas Chapin Trio

(from “Ride” CD liner notes)

North Sea 1995 was very exciting. This is a huge festival with multiple stages hosting concerts simultaneously throughout three days, featuring all of the greatest jazz musicians, both young and old.

On the night of the gig, we were sandwiched between Jackie McLean and Roy Haynes, and followed by David Murray, Fred Hopkins, and Andrew Cyrille, all musical heroes of ours. We had already played the festival once or twice before and there was a palpable buzz in the room from people who had seen us play in the past. Because some of our most formative influences were sharing our stage—i.e., Jackie Mac for Thomas, Roy and Andrew for me, and Fred Hopkins for Mario—we had a little extra adrenaline flowing.

“Ticket to Ride” was always fun for me. I enjoyed the audience reaction when they recognized the familiar melody—definitely something they were not expecting. In Thomas’ arrangement, the A sections were fairly straightforward, but we played the bridge in a punk/thrash feel that younger audience members went nuts over.

The Trio was a very special entity, very much a sum of its three sides. Thomas was able to write for our three distinct personalities, each with different strengths and weaknesses. There was a balance and tension produced by Mario, Thomas and me, which resulted in some incredible music.

I miss seeing how we would have grown musically and I just miss Thomas. I’ve never met a more multifaceted and, in many ways, compartmentalized person. He had a lot of sides that were often in conflict with one another. This made for great theater and wonderful artistic creation. I miss his laugh and curiosity about the world. And, I wish he and my son could have met each other.