 But most notably, forming what became his signature group, a trio with bassist Mario Pavone and drummers Steve Johns and later, Michael Sarin.For nearly ten years Chapin pursued his own music, working with the Thomas Chapin Trio at festivals and clubs around the world, including milestone Trio career performances at the Madarao Jazz Festival (Japan) in 1994, where he also played with Betty Carter, and at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1995.He also arranged larger groups (Trio with Brass, "Insomnia" and Trio with Strings, "Haywire").