Chan Poling - Composer, Lyricist, Songwriter, Performer, 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, playwrights, choreographers, film-makers, actors and painters, and continues to work in many mediums.
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, playwrights, choreographers, film-makers, actors and painters, and continues to work in many mediums.
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The Suburbs Chan's pop musical career began when he founded the alternative rock band The Suburbs in 1977 and was signed to Twin Tone Records in Minneapolis, in turn putting out albums for Polygram, then A&M Records, and becoming a touchstone of the “Minneapolis Sound” among other seminal MN rock acts of the 1980’s. Noted rock journalist Ira Robbins said of their album Love Is the Law "easily the Suburbs’ apex, a powerful and personality-laden set of songs... A great, great album." Chan was awarded the Minnesota Music Award's Lifetime “POP” (Perpetually Outstanding Performer) Award. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune included Poling and The Suburbs in their round-up of the “100 Most Influential Minnesota Musical Entities of the Twentieth Century.” Chan continues to record and perform with the latest incarnation of that groundbreaking group. The New Standards Chan Poling, John Munson, and Steve Roehm comprise The New Standards who perform their unique jazzy spin on pop music in theaters and clubs around the world, and at their sprawling and theatrical New Standards Holiday Show (Anchorage PAC, MIM Phoenix, Lincoln Center NYC, City Wineries NYC & Chicago, The State Theater, Mpls, Chicago Theater, ETC). They've performed with world-class orchestras, held court as a trio in intimate clubs, and entertained many corporate clients from Las Vegas to Shanghai, making a variety of albums, videos, animations, films, books, and friends, along the way. Musical Theater Chan loves composing for Musical Theater. Since the early '90s, his musical scores have been produced at: Theatre de La Jeune Lune The Guthrie Theater Yale Repertory Theater La Jolla Playhouse Walker Art Center Portland Center for the Visual Arts Ritz Theater Illusion Theater History Theatre Park Square Theater A dedicated devotee of the form, Chan 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” (originally commissioned by producer Kevin McCollum for The Ordway) directed by Joe Chvala in an award-winning production at the Guthrie Theater, and several shows written with the esteemed playwright Jeffrey Hatcher, including “A Night in Olympus”, “Glensheen”, "Lord Gordon Gordon", and "The Defeat of Jesse James", the last three originally produced at St. Paul's History Theatre. "Glensheen" is returning to History Theater in 2025 for it's 10th year of summer runs. In the wings: "Heaven Can Wait", the iconic play by Harry Segall and basis of 2 hit movies, is now a brand new musical written by Jeffrey Hatcher (Book) with Music & Lyrics by Chan Poling, with director Scott Schwartz. In the works: "CAROL" a pop-rock musical based on Dicken's immortal Holiday Classic. With playwright Melanie Hoopes. "Cousin B" a new musical/operetta based on Jeffrey Hatcher's award-winning adaptation of the classic Balzac novel of class, love, and revenge. Author Chan is the published author of 2 unique illustrated books. "Jack & the Ghost"; illustrated by Lucy Michell, is a gothic, lyrical evocation of a shipwreck, ghosts, and lost--and found--love in a North Shore town. Chan and Lucy's new children's book, "The Moons", is in stores everywhere. 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 films. Awards & Notices The Suburbs were voted as one of the "100 Most Influential Minnesota Musical Entities of the Twentieth Century" by the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Chan was awarded MMA's Lifetime “POP” (Perpetually Outstanding Performer) Award. 2 Emmys and a Cine Golden Eagle for films featuring Chan's music. The "Overall Excellence" Ivey for “Glensheen”. "Glensheen" voted "Best of the Decade" - Mpls Star-Tribune The Sage Award for Best Music for "Heaven". (Guthrie Theater) "POETS PARTY", The Suburbs last album, Minneapolis Star Tribune's "Top Ten Albums of 2021". "Ad of the Week" for Target/"Rattle My Bones" collab - Adweek Magazine |
Artwork by Owen daveyMN ORIGINAL PROFILE
Photo © 2023 by Jimmy Steinfeldt
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