Richard Chase
Rich’s voice is like a favorite sweatshirt, smooth, pleasing and versatile. [He’s] obviously having fun, which adds to the enjoyment for everyone.
Karen Traub, Wendell Full Moon Coffeehouse
- Richard Chase — vocals, guitar
- Seth Hoffsommer — drums
- Bryan Barstow — bass
Singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Richard Chase returns to the 1794 Meetinghouse bringing with him his superbly crafted songs, tasteful musicianship and uplifting vibe!
Performing his music as a solo acoustic act or as part of the Richard Chase Group, (and with the help of his treasured 1938 Kalamazoo guitar) is at once a calming and uplifting experience. Chase offers introspective anthems accompanied by lush soundscapes. At the heart of the Richard Chase Group is his moving songwriting, rich voice and nimble guitar work which finds him earnestly delivering his songs with passion, serving the audience, and making that special connection with the listener.
Richard Chase’s uplifting vibe, calming voice, and tasteful, honest writing soothe my soul.
Ethan Stone
With dynamic drums/percussion and passionate bass to round out the group, Chase’s music will draw you into a world that is full and varied and will leave you completely satisfied whether you are moved to dance, tap your feet, or hum along with a tune that you know (or will soon recognize).
Add to that, composer
2013 saw the world premier of the composition “Stone Man” written and arranged by Chase for 1794 Meetinghouse’s own Quabbin Valley Pro Musica to rave review by audience members and choristers alike. The piece had the traditional classically versed group grunting, stomping and beat-boxing their way through this gritty, swampy, working man’s anthem to a thunderous applause! Returning to the Meetinghouse again in 2017 provided a rare and wonderful opportunity to premier his newest piece “This is not a Broken Heart — Let Love Rule the World”, a richly textured love ballad performed with the amazing support of QVPM.
Richard Chase’s guitar work is masterful. Rhythmic and intricate, it lays a splendid foundation for his grit-flecked, stirring vocals. Chase is a craftsman’s songwriter, and it was an absolute pleasure sharing the stage.
Auyon Mukharji, Darlingside
Seth Hoffsommer
Seth began his musical career at the age of four, singing with his family in gospel concerts at churches throughout New England, New York and Pennsylvania until he was thirteen years old. He studied percussion with William Prieb (percussionist with the Buffalo Symphony), Chris White (music professor at Univ. of Maine, Orono), Alan Dawson (world-renowned jazz drummer formerly teaching at the Berklee School of Music), and Greg Caputo (Benny Goodman Big Band drummer). Seth has been playing drums professionally for a decade in a wide range of projects, including jazz and rock bands, church programs, and theatre productions in southern New England. He is active teaching percussion for the Wachusett Regional School district and has offered private instruction for 10 years. Special projects involve working with Lee Totten’s drummer Chris Contantine and with Lee Totten’s Real World band. Other engagements include playing drums in several musical productions with the theater group The Gateway Players and performing baritone vocals with Master Singers of Worcester.
Bryan Barstow
Bryan started playing bass at 14, later studying with Mark Respass (bassist for Mundo Mojo, graduate of Berkelee School of Music). He has played with Worcester area bands Tomb Diver and The Rancid Blues Trio. More recently, as the bassist with Towering Pretzels in the Boston metro area, Bryan continues to study music theory, keys, and bass while working on his own project, Tri-Fusion.
Richard Chase lives in Orange with his wife Lynn among luscious gardens along with two cats.
