Chase was formed in 1970 by Bill Chase, a former lead trumpet player for bands headed by Maynard Ferguson, Woody Herman and Stan Kenton. The band soon rocked the scene with their unique sound of the four trumpet horn section, and was Grammy nominated for Best new artist in 1971. The band released three albums Chase (1971), Ennea (1972) and Pure music (1974) (a few live recordings exists as well). Their career ended sadly in August 1974, when Bill Chase and three fellow musicians where killed in a plane crash. In 1977 a Chase tribute band consisting of former Chase members released a record called Watch closely now.