Tracking Jim Chappell's (shah-PELL) artistic development over the course of his multi-faceted career proves a rewarding study of true musical evolution. Since the independent release of his breakthrough solo piano collection Tender Ritual in 1986, he has become one of contemporary instrumental music's most engaging composers and performers. "When I make an album," Chappell says, "all I've ever done is create material as it comes to me. I'm not really in charge of that. As a creative person, you're working with something much greater than yourself."