366Art | Chick Corea

Today, June 12, is the birthday of Chick Corea, one of the most influential figures in jazz music, particularly known for his contributions to the development of jazz fusion. The edit above and his portrait on the musical reference works/birthday calendars below are made by me, Frieke.

Chick Corea, born Armando Anthony Corea on June 12, 1941, in Chelsea, Massachusetts, and passed away on February 9, 2021, was an American jazz pianist, keyboardist, and composer. Corea grew up in a musical family. His father, a trumpeter, introduced him to music at a young age. He started playing the piano when he was four years old.

In the late 1960s, Corea played with Miles Davis and contributed to albums such as In a Silent Way and Bitches Brew,, which were pioneering works in jazz fusion. In 1968, Corea released his album Now He Sings, Now He Sobs. It is regularly listed among the best jazz albums of all time. The album is an example of post-bop jazz, characterized by complex structures and harmonies. Corea's playing on this album showcases his virtuosity and his ability to play both lyrically and rhythmically intensely. Miroslav Vitouš, a Czech double bassist known for his technical skill and innovative playing, and Roy Haynes, a legendary jazz drummer, significantly contributed to the album's dynamics and success. In 1971, Corea founded the band Return to Forever, one of the most influential groups in the jazz fusion movement. The self-titled debut album Return to Forever (1972) was a unique mix of jazz with rock and Latin influences. Corea experimented with both electric and acoustic settings. His work with the Elektric Band and the Akoustic Band highlighted his versatility and skill in different styles of jazz. With the Elektric Band, founded in the 1980s, he released albums such as  Eye of the Beholder (1988) and Inside Out (1990). With the Akoustic Band, he focused more on traditional acoustic jazz and released albums like Akoustic Band (1989).

Throughout his career, Chick Corea worked on numerous cross-genre projects. He was known for his openness to various musical styles and his willingness to experiment with diverse musical genres. Corea composed several works for orchestra, including Spain for Sextet and Orchestra en Piano Concerto No. 1. He collaborated with prominent classical musicians and conductors, such as the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the Bavarian Chamber Orchestra. In 1982, he released the album Touchstone, which combined Latin jazz and flamenco influences. Corea collaborated with the legendary flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucía. They performed together and created a unique fusion of jazz and flamenco. He also interpreted classical Spanish music, such as Joaquín Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez, in a jazz context.

Corea collaborated with numerous musicians, including Gary Burton, resulting in several albums, such as Crystal Silence (1973). He performed a series of duo concerts with Herbie Hancock, resulting in their album An Evening with Herbie Hancock & Chick Corea: In Concert (1978). His collaboration with Béla Fleck resulted in the album The Enchantment (2007), a unique mix of bluegrass and jazz. With vocalist Bobby McFerrin, he created the album Plays (1992), a fusion of jazz, classical, and world music styles.

Chick Corea was a dedicated practitioner of Scientology. His involvement with Scientology influenced his music and creative processes. He created music inspired by the principles and works of Scientology, such as his album To the Stars (2004), based on the science fiction story of the same name by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard.

Chick Corea passed away at the age of 79 from a rare form of cancer, leaving an indelible mark on the music world. His innovative approach to jazz, his virtuosity on the piano, and his willingness to constantly experiment and innovate made him one of the most respected and influential musicians of his time. His music continues to inspire both musicians and jazz enthusiasts around the world.

Throughout his career, Chick Corea released over 80 albums as a leader or as a band member. He won a total of 23 Grammy Awards, including two for Album of the Year.