Chas Smith

Composer, performer, and instrument designer Chas Smith (born 1948, Hardwick, MA) has appeared on dozens of feature film scores, rock, jazz, and blues albums playing pedal steel guitar and organ, but since the 1990s he concentrates on his impressive metallic sound sculptures. Following in Harry Partch's footsteps, he builds his own instruments, structures that can be struck or bowed in various places, and writes for them. He is an acolyte of Rick Cox, Michael Jon Fink, and Jim Fox, all revolving around the label Cold Blue. His music, eery soundscapes both soothing and haunting...