Chick Corea
Biography
An NEA Jazz Master, 22-time Grammy® winner, prolific composer and keyboard virtuoso, Chick Corea has attained living legend status after five decades of unparalleled creativity and an artistic output that is simply staggering.
From straight ahead to avant-garde,bebop to fusion, children’s songs to chamber music, along with some far-reaching forays into symphonic works, Chick has touched an astonishing number of musical bases in his illustrious career while maintaining a standard of excellence that is awe-inspiring.A tirelessly creative spirit, Chick continues to forge ahead, continually reinventing himself in the process.
Since embarking on a solo career in 1966, Chick has been at the forefront of jazz, both as a renowned pianist forging new ground with his acoustic jazz bands and as an innovative electric keyboardist with Return to Forever and the Elektric Band. His extensive discography boasts numerous essential albums, beginning with his 1968 classic, “Now He Sings, Now He Sobs”.
Chick continues to make a significant impact on the scene, as evidenced by 2007’s Latin Grammy®-winning “The Enchantment” (duets with banjo virtuoso Béla Fleck), 2008’s Grammy®-winning “The New Crystal Silence” (duets with longstanding collaborator Gary Burton), 2009’s “Returns” (documenting Return to Forever’s 2008 reunion tour) and 2009’s Grammy®-winning “Five Peace Band Live” (with John McLaughlin, Christian McBride, Kenny Garrett and Vinnie Colaiuta).
Corea’s recent schedule continues his unbroken string of productivity, with more world tours and four new albums: the critically-acclaimed “Further Explorations” (with Eddie Gomez and Paul Motian); “The Continents: Concerto for Jazz Quintet and Chamber Orchestra”, an ambitious new classical release and a crowning achievement in his work as a master composer; the release of Return to Forever’s latest live album, “The Mothership Returns”; and “Hot House”, a transcendent new set of standards in his acclaimed duet with Gary Burton.
In 2013, Corea took home two Grammy® Awards for “Hot House”,including Best Instrumental Composition for his newly-composed work for piano, vibes and string quartet, “Mozart Goes Dancing”; and Best Improvised Jazz Solo, for “Hot House”. The two honors were, remarkably, Corea’s 19th and 20th Grammy® Awards.
Chick Corea’s latest project, “The Vigil”, with all new music and a new band, was released to massive critical acclaim in 2013.
