Contents
Chick Corea
Bridging acoustic jazz and electric fusion with Return to Forever.
Now He Sings, Now He Sobs · Light as a Feather
- Born
- 12 June 1941
- Birthplace
- Chelsea, Massachusetts, United States
- Died
- 9 February 2021
More people
Chick Corea
Chick Corea was an American pianist and composer whose work ranged from exploratory improvisation to bright, carefully structured ensemble music. He moved repeatedly between acoustic and electronic instruments.
Early life
Musical family
His father was a jazz trumpeter and introduced him to piano.
Early training
Began piano at four and absorbed both jazz and classical music.
Career
- 1960s
New York sideman
Worked with Latin bands and jazz leaders before recording under his own name.
- 1968–1970
Miles Davis band
Played electric piano in Davis’s changing ensembles.
- 1971 onwards
Band leadership
Formed Return to Forever and later the Elektric and Akoustic Bands.
Selected work
Now He Sings, Now He Sobs
A piano-trio recording with Roy Haynes and Miroslav Vitouš.
Light as a Feather
Return to Forever album including Spain.
My Spanish Heart
Blends jazz with Spanish and Latin influences.
Beyond work
Musical partnership
Married singer Gayle Moran in 1972.
Teaching
Shared musical ideas through workshops, instructional material and conversations with audiences.
Sources & photo credit
Biography ↗Life and work ↗Photo: Polydor Records. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
