We are all saddened by the passing of the great Jim Chapin… who has probably personally helped more drummers than anyone in history. I know he was a meaningful friend and support to me, as well as an inspiration to all who met him. His books are in the “Top 10” of essential drum books for me. He will be missed, but truly lead a long, full and authentic life that lives on in his books, words, music and especially in the hearts of those who were privileged enough to have known him.
It is not a coincidence that he, the father of coordinated independence in drumming, passed away on Independence Day. He “wrote the book on it” in the early 1930’s, decades before giants like Max Roach & Kenny Clark ushered it into use in the BeBop of the late ’40’s & early ’50’s.
While he was alive his sticks and pad were never at rest. They may lie silent now, but they rebound in us all over the world, in the techniques we use that he developed and lovingly shared with & nurtured in us.
