Chan Poling is a songwriter, composer of theatrical scores, author, and performer.
After a start at age 17 studying music composition at California Institute of the Arts under the mentorship of composer Harold Budd, collaborating with musicians, choreographers, animators, and painters, Chan began his pop musical career when his alternative rock band, The Suburbs, was signed to Twin Tone Records, in turn recording 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.
After a start at age 17 studying music composition at California Institute of the Arts under the mentorship of composer Harold Budd, collaborating with musicians, choreographers, animators, and painters, Chan began his pop musical career when his alternative rock band, The Suburbs, was signed to Twin Tone Records, in turn recording 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" of that year; "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 "Heaven Can Wait", the iconic play by Harry Segall and basis of 2 hit movies, now in development as a Hatchling (Book by Jeffrey Hatcher/Music & Lyrics by Chan Poling) musical.
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. He has several books and screenplays in development. Music Licensing. Film and Television Producers can license from his extensive and varied catalogue, or commission Chan to write an original score, for TV, commercials, documentaries, and film. Awards. "Overall Excellence" Ivey for “Glensheen”, also voted "Best of the Decade/Theater" by the Mpls Star-Tribune, 2 Emmys and a Cine Golden Eagle for his documentary film scores, Adweek Magazine "Ad of the Week" for Target/"Rattle My Bones" collab. The Suburbs were voted by The Minneapolis Star Tribune as one of the "100 Most Influential Minnesota Musical Entities of the Twentieth Century", and Chan and the 'Burbs have received several Minnesota Music nominations and Awards. 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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