Nicholas Chase

Nicholas Chase
Chase in 2017 performing his composition "Bhajan" in San Francisco
Born
Nicholas Frances Chase

(1966-07-23)July 23, 1966
Roseburg, Oregon, US
Occupations
  • composer
  • musician
  • illustrator
  • author
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
Labels
  • Cold Blue Music
  • Unit
  • CAteliers

Nicholas Frances Chase (born Nebeil Mahayni; 1966 in Roseburg, Oregon), is an American composer, performer, and author.

Chase received a Bachelor of Arts in German Area Studies from University of Oregon in 1993 and studied music composition at the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) with Stephen Mosko, Morton Subotnick, Bunita Marcus, and Mary Jane Leach, receiving his Master of Fine Arts in 2000. At CalArts he studied Hindustani Classical Music with Rajeev Taranath and Arabic Classical Music with Dr. Ziad Bunni.[1]

His compositional style has referenced popular music forms such as techno, electronica, ambient, and noise music,[2] and made use of interactive signal processing and electronic sound material with acoustic instrumentation[3] (electroacoustic music). He has written original music for various ensembles including the California EAR Unit,[4] the Long Beach Opera,[5] and the Philadelphia Classical Symphony.[6]

In 2024 Chase published a 219 page book about free improvisation, Passage of Desire: Improvisation and the Human Journey, posthumously co-authored with Susan Allen (musician).[7]

  1. ^ "Nicholas Chase website". Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  2. ^ Chase, Nicholas Frances (17 July 2004). "Wild at Heart". Kalvos and Damian (Interview). Interviewed by Kalvos and Damian. p. Program 476. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  3. ^ Woodard, Joseph. "EAR Unit's Toughness and Tranquility". LA Times. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  4. ^ Rich, Alan. "When Fa Joins Mi..." LA Weekly. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  5. ^ "Long Beach Opera". Long Beach Opera. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  6. ^ Burwasser, Peter. "All About Andy". Philadelphia City Paper. Archived from the original on 21 February 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  7. ^ Published by Nicholas Chase Publishing (Independent) 16 August 2024, ISBN 979-8332909306. Retrieved 2 October 2024.