Chick Corea

Armando Anthony “Chick” Corea was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts on June 12, 1941. His father Armando J. Corea played Dixieland trumpet and introduced him to piano at age four. Corea began studying formally with pianist Salvatore Sullo at age eight, developing a classical foundation while absorbing bebop influences from Bud Powell and Charlie Parker. He moved to New York after high school and briefly attended Columbia University and Juilliard. Between 1962 and 1967 Corea worked as a sideman with Latin jazz bandleaders Mongo Santamaria, Willie Bobo, Blue Mitchell, Herbie Mann, Stan Getz, and Cal Tjader.

Corea released his debut album as leader, “Tones for Joan’s Bones” (Vortex, 1966). His next recording, “Now He Sings, Now He Sobs” (Solid State, 1968) with bassist Miroslav Vitous and drummer Roy Haynes, established a new direction for the modern jazz trio. Corea’s breakthrough came when he joined Miles Davis’ quintet in 1968, playing Fender Rhodes electric piano on multiple fusion recordings. He appeared on “Filles de Kilimanjaro” (1969), “In a Silent Way” (1969), “Bitches Brew” (1970), and “Live at the Fillmore East” (1970). In 1971 Corea co-founded the avant-garde ensemble Circle with bassist Dave Holland, drummer Barry Altschul, and saxophonist Anthony Braxton, recording the experimental double album “Paris-Concert” (ECM, 1971).

Corea founded Return to Forever in 1972 as a fusion ensemble featuring bassist Stanley Clarke and violinist Jean-Luc Ponty. The band recorded “Return to Forever” (ECM, 1972), “Light As A Feather” (Polydor, 1973), “Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy” (Polydor, 1973), and “Romantic Warrior” (Columbia, 1976). These albums established fusion as a major force in jazz during the 1970s. He also recorded the solo album “My Spanish Heart” (Polydor, 1976), blending Latin rhythms with jazz composition. Corea began a long-term partnership with vibraphonist Gary Burton, recording multiple duet albums including “Crystal Silence” (1972) and “In Concert” (1979) for ECM Records.

In the 1980s and 1990s Corea led the Chick Corea Elektric Band (1986–1994) on GRP Records, emphasizing electronic keyboards and rock-influenced arrangements. He also formed the Chick Corea Akoustic Band (1989–1991), returning to acoustic piano trio formats. His later years featured the ensemble Origin and collaborations with banjo virtuoso Béla Fleck and vocalist Bobby McFerrin. Corea celebrated his 75th birthday in 2016 with a six-week residency at New York’s Blue Note Jazz Club, performing with over 20 different ensembles. The NEA named him a Jazz Master in 2006, and he won 28 Grammy Awards while receiving induction into the DownBeat Hall of Fame in 2010. Corea died on February 9, 2021 in Tampa, Florida at age 79 from cancer, leaving a legacy spanning modal jazz, Latin jazz, fusion, avant-garde, and contemporary classical music.