Chris Pasin began studying the trumpet at the age of nine in New York City, studying with various teachers, especially the great Carmine Caruso. After high school he earned a dual bachelors degree at the New England Conservatory of Music in classical and jazz trumpet performance, playing and recording under Jimmy Giuffre, Gunther Schuller, George Russell, and Jaki Byard; the last of which he studied jazz improvisation and composition.