Mildred Portney Chase (1921–1991) was an international concert pianist, teacher, and the author of the popular books Just Being at the Piano[1] and Improvisation, Music From The Inside Out.
She played jazz piano at Ciro's on Sunset Blvd., Shelly's Man Hole, and other local venues.
In the 1970s, she protested the war in Vietnam and gave concerts benefiting the Women's International Strike for Peace (W.I.S.P.).
She also performed chamber music extensively with Sascha Jacobsen, Bernie Kundell, Joachim Chassman and other noted players.
On October 31, 1987, Chase received a letter from the revered composer Witold Lutosławski,[citation needed] who wrote:Warmest thanks .