TOM CHASE
Film and television composer Tom Chase is as diverse as the varied projects on which he works and that quality is what has helped make him so successful in his chosen field. "My attitude in life is that of a biker," laughs the talented Chase. "If a client wants something edgy, then I'm the guy for it, because that's really where my heart lies, both in life and in my work." Chase's ability to combine this go-for-it-attitude with his highly developed skills as a film and television composer, orchestrator, conductor, producer, songwriter and musician, along with a strong and focused work ethic, has been parlayed into a career that is rife with accomplishment and acclaim.
A native of Burbank, California, Chase began learning classical guitar at the tender age of five, graduating to playing in Los Angeles-area rock bands as a teen before beginning composition studies at USC. He segued into a highly intensive program known as the Equal Interval System (EIS) which was taught by Lyle "Spud" Murphy, best known for writing charts for Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey. Chase studied in the EIS program for six years, later on teaching it for 10 years. "It was a program designed specifically for film and television composition...it taught me so much about this field and has been a huge influence on my work," recalls Chase.
Chase also developed his orchestration skills by studying with master orchestrator Albert Harris and honed his guitar chops as a respected session musician before hooking up with famed television composer Mike Post. Post opened doors for Chase by having him compose for a variety of well-loved and critically acclaimed TV shows including Hill Street Blues, Greatest American Hero, Vegas and The White Shadow. "It was great training," recalls Chase. Also during that time, Chase conducted and wrote arrangements for legendary country artists Eddie Rabbit and Ronnie Milsap. "I conducted their live shows when they used big orchestras; it was wonderful experience for me." The busy Chase also found time to perform live in former Playmate-of-the-Year-turned-country-singer Barbi Benton's band.
As good fortune would have it, Chase met his future business and creative partner, Steve Rucker, on a freelance project. Chase, who has earned a well deserved reputation over the years as one of the finest animation composers in the business, teamed with Rucker on a variety of successful animation projects that heightened his visibility as a first class animation composer. Continuing to work on high-profile animation projects - including Disney projects like The Gummi Bears and The Wuzzles - Chase eventually teamed with Rucker to form his own company, the highly successful Chase-Rucker Productions. "Working in animation has allowed me to build a business including the development of my own studio and scoring facility," says Chase.
His success in the animation field has also allowed Chase to branch off into other areas of composition including feature films - where his credits include Stephen King's Thinner (source), Armed Response, And God Created Woman and 976-EVIL - and a host of television credits that number among them Entertainment Tonight, Leeza, The American Comedy Awards and The Young and the Restless among many others. Meanwhile, his credits in the animation world continue to pile up; Chase has been applauded for his excellent work on Woody Woodpecker, Power Puff Girls and The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest for which he was nominated for a coveted Emmy for Best Score.
Chase, a man of exquisite anomalies, describes his composing style as "biker orchestral....I'm a classically trained composer and musician who can also really rock out when I need to. I ride a motorcycle and can really crank it up on guitar and get rowdy when that style is called for. But I've also stood in front on the London Symphony Orchestra to conduct my own music. I like to think I'm capable of handling any project or composition situation that comes my way, thanks to my diversified background."
This self described artist loves music, has a passion for music and understands music inside and out. An expert at orchestral and electronic composition for any type of film or television project, Chase revels in the challenge of developing composing ideas over an extended period of time. "What this means to me is that I compose because I love it, not simply because I have a project to complete." Chase, in keeping with his nature, likes to describe his composing style as "unpredictable." Says Tom, "I really like working with people who will let my full creative talents bloom, who will let me develop interesting ideas within the context of their ideas. I feel like my experiences enable me to interpret a broad spectrum of emotions through music."
Although steeped in the new technology and armed with his great knowledge of electronic and orchestral music, Chase remains a purist when it comes to music. "I'm not going to simulate something that doesn't sound like the real instrument I'm simulating because I can't compromise myself or the music that I create. At the same time, I'm not precious about the music I create.
Tom's goals include his desire to continue to compose for major film and television projects outside the world of animation. "I have a passion for composition whether it be animation or something else...I love to utilize my abilities and interest in varied areas of music and come up with something so unique and different that it can't be duplicated...so that it's one of a kind."
Working with Tom Chase is like shopping at one of those huge outlet stores that carry everything under the sun; there's no need to look anywhere else once you walk in because it's all there under one roof. That's what Tom is like...whatever one is looking for when it comes to the creative process of developing music for film and television, the fun-loving but serious-about-his-work Chase has got it all and is happy to avail his myriad of talents to those with an appreciation for hard work and big talent. "I believe in myself. I believe in the talents that I can bring to a project. I can truthfully say I've never been stumped when it comes to working on a project, at least not yet; I love a challenge and welcome the chance to meet them head-on. That's what my life is all about."
When putting the finishing touches on a score Tom Chase is a guy who can be counted on to bring a devotion and passion to all aspects of his life that is absolutely infectious.
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