• Genre: Jazz
• Active: '70s, '80s, '90s
• Instrument: Piano

Biography

Smooth jazz pianist Jim Chappell was born and raised in Michigan, initially influenced by the pop songcraft of the Beatles and Jimmy Webb. After spending the better part of his early adult years travelling across the country, he settled in Nashville and became a songwriter; finding the work unfulfilling, however, Chappell relocated to California, where he found work as an accompanist for the modern dance department at UCLA. He self-released his debut album, Tender Ritual, in 1986, selling over 12,000 copies of the record by travelling from store to store; Chappell then signed to Music West, where he issued a series of LPs including Dusk, Living the Northern Summer and Nightsongs and Lullabies. Moving to Real Music, he scored his biggest hit to date with In Search of the Magic, followed in quick succession by Over the Top, Manila Nights and Laughter at Dawn. Chappell's debut release for new label Gallery Records, Acadia, appeared in 1996. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide

Representative Albums:

Tender Ritual, Over the Top, Nightsongs and Lullabies

Similar Artists:

Dean Malsack, Kevin Kern, Philip Aaberg, John Boswell, Christopher Peacock, Liz Story, Mark Sloniker, Michelle Sell, Schönerz & Scott, John Nilsen, David Lanz, Gary Lamb, Peter Kater, Wayne Gratz, Michael Gettel, Scott Fitzgerald, Doug Cameron

Influences:

George Winston, Jimmy Webb, The Moody Blues, Chicago, The Beatles

Performed Songs By:

Tom Politzer

Worked With:

Michael Pluznick

Acadia Buy this CD	Manila Nights Buy this CD	Over the Top Buy this CD	In Search of the Magic Buy this CD	Nightsongs and Lullabies Buy this CD
Living the Northern Summer Buy this CD	Dusk Buy this CD	Tender Ritual Buy this CD