Chan Poling is a songwriter, composer of musical theatre scores, performer, and author.
Starting at age 17 studying music composition at California Institute of the Arts under the mentorship of composer Harold Budd, Chan began collaborating with musicians, choreographers, animators, and painters, His pop musical career began when his alternative rock band, The Suburbs, was signed to Twin Tone Records in Minneapolis, in turn putting out albums for Polygram, A&M Records and Universal Music, and becoming a touchstone of the “Minneapolis Sound”, joining other seminal rock acts of the 1980’s. Chan continues to record and perform with the latest incarnation of that groundbreaking group.
In 2005, Mr. Poling, John Munson, and Steve Roehm, founded the trio The New Standards, who perform their unique jazzy spin on pop music in theaters and clubs around the world, whether with their large theatrical Holiday Show extravaganza, performing with world-class orchestras, holding court as a trio in intimate clubs like Joe’s Pub in NYC and the Dakota Jazz Club in Minneapolis, or entertaining corporate clients from Las Vegas to Shanghai with their big band, making a variety of albums, videos, animations, films, books, merchandise and friends along the way.
Starting at age 17 studying music composition at California Institute of the Arts under the mentorship of composer Harold Budd, Chan began collaborating with musicians, choreographers, animators, and painters, His pop musical career began when his alternative rock band, The Suburbs, was signed to Twin Tone Records in Minneapolis, in turn putting out albums for Polygram, A&M Records and Universal Music, and becoming a touchstone of the “Minneapolis Sound”, joining other seminal rock acts of the 1980’s. Chan continues to record and perform with the latest incarnation of that groundbreaking group.
In 2005, Mr. Poling, John Munson, and Steve Roehm, founded the trio The New Standards, who perform their unique jazzy spin on pop music in theaters and clubs around the world, whether with their large theatrical Holiday Show extravaganza, performing with world-class orchestras, holding court as a trio in intimate clubs like Joe’s Pub in NYC and the Dakota Jazz Club in Minneapolis, or entertaining corporate clients from Las Vegas to Shanghai with their big band, making a variety of albums, videos, animations, films, books, merchandise and friends along the way.
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Chan's other great love is Musical Theater. A dedicated devotee of the form, he has written the musical scores and songs for a variety of shows, including: The American Theatre Critics Association's "Best New Play"; "Children of Paradise: Shooting a Dream" composed for the Tony Award-winning Theatre de la Jeune Lune, “Heaven”, commissioned by producer Kevin McCollum, and several shows written with the esteemed playwright Jeffrey Hatcher, including “Glensheen”, (winner of the Ivey Award for Overall Excellence, and voted "Best of the Decade/Theater" by the Mpls Star-Tribune), "Lord Gordon Gordon", “A Night in Olympus”, and now "The Defeat of Jesse James" premiering April 29, 2023 at the History Theatre in St. Paul, MN. In the wings: "Heaven Can Wait", the iconic play by Harry Segall and basis of 2 hit movies, now in development with Jeffrey Hatcher/ Book with Music & Lyrics by Chan Poling, represented by Paradigm Talent Agency.
Author. Chan is the published author of a unique illustrated book, "Jack & the Ghost"; a gothic, lyrical evocation of a shipwreck, ghosts, and lost--and found--love in a North Shore town. Look for his new book with illustrations by Lucy Michell, "The Moons", being published soon. Music Licensing. Many film and television producers have licensed from Mr. Poling's extensive and varied catalogue, or commissioned Chan to write an original score, for TV shows, commercials, documentaries, and indie films. Awards. 2 Emmys and a Cine Golden Eagle for documentary films featuring Chan's scores. "Overall Excellence" Ivey for “Glensheen”. "Glensheen" also voted "Best of the Decade/Theater" by the Mpls Star-Tribune The Suburbs were voted as one of the "100 Most Influential Minnesota Musical Entities of the Twentieth Century" by the Minneapolis Star Tribune Chan and the 'Burbs have received numerous Minnesota Music Awards (MMA) nominations and made critics year-end lists. "POETS PARTY", The Suburbs latest album, made the Minneapolis Star Tribune's "Top Ten Albums of 2021". "Ad of the Week" for Target/"Rattle My Bones" collab - Adweek Magazine The MMA also recognized Mr. Poling with their lifetime “POP” (Perpetually Outstanding Performer) Award. |
MN Original's Profile of Chan Poling
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