Chan Poling is an award-winning pop songwriter, composer of theatrical scores, author, and a seasoned performer.
After a start at 17 years of age studying music composition at Cal Arts under the mentorship of composer Harold Budd, collaborating with dancers (choreographer Donald Byrd, among others), animators, and painters, Chan began his pop musical career when his alternative rock band, The Suburbs, began recording albums for Polygram, A&M Records and Universal Music, becoming a touchstone of the “Minneapolis Sound” in the 1980’s. Chan continues to record and perform with the latest incarnation of that groundbreaking group.
In 2005 Chan, 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 extravaganzas, performing with the world-class orchestras, holding court as a trio in intimate clubs like Joe’s Pub in NYC or 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.
After a start at 17 years of age studying music composition at Cal Arts under the mentorship of composer Harold Budd, collaborating with dancers (choreographer Donald Byrd, among others), animators, and painters, Chan began his pop musical career when his alternative rock band, The Suburbs, began recording albums for Polygram, A&M Records and Universal Music, becoming a touchstone of the “Minneapolis Sound” in the 1980’s. Chan continues to record and perform with the latest incarnation of that groundbreaking group.
In 2005 Chan, 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 extravaganzas, performing with the world-class orchestras, holding court as a trio in intimate clubs like Joe’s Pub in NYC or 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 classic and pop music-theater styles, 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, directed by Joe Chvala, and three shows written with the esteemed playwright Jeffrey Hatcher: “Glensheen”, (winner of the Ivey Award for Overall Excellence, and voted "Best of the Decade" by the Mpls Star-Tribune), "Lord Gordon Gordon", and the teen fantasy “A Night in Olympus”. With "Jesse James" on the horizon for 2021, and more, Mr. Poling and Mr. Hatcher continue to develop inventive new musicals.
Books. Chan is now the published author of a unique new illustrated book, "Jack & the Ghost"; a gothic, lyrical evocation of a shipwreck, ghosts, and lost--and found--love in a North Shore town. Music Licensing. Film and Television Producers also license from his extensive and varied catalogue (or commission Chan to write) tunes for TV shows, numerous commercials, award-winning documentaries, and indie films. Awards. Among many honors for his work, including the "Overall Excellence" Ivey for “Glensheen” and being voted "Best of the Decade" by the Mpls Star-Tribune, two Emmys and a Cine Golden Eagle, Adweek Magazine "Ad of the Week" awards, and more, The Suburbs were voted by The Minneapolis Star Tribune as one of the "100 Most Influential Minnesota Musical Entities of the Twentieth Century", and the Minnesota Music Awards recognized Chan with their lifetime “POP” (Perpetually Outstanding Performer) Award. |
MN Original's Profile of Chan Poling
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