The music world has suffered a tragic loss with the passing of the great Chick Corea. Chick Corea was a supernatural icon among us human musicians. Most of us are either average, good, really good and some of us great, but there are a handful of super elite musicians that have the ability to change and shape our world when we listen to them and their music. They draw the admiration of the best of the best of us...they are legendary. Chick Corea was one of these God like people in my eyes. He is someone that heavily impacted my music styles from when I first discovered him in the 70s with his band Return To Forever (RTF). (I couldn’t ‘hang with the cats’ unless I was able to play and jam out on “Spain” back in my college days practice room jams. I felt kinda awesome about myself once I learned how to play that front lick).

 

His albums with RTF, Romantic Warrior, Music Magic and Armando’s rumba from that time, changed my world. RTF’s main lineup was a quartet (Chick, Lenny White, Stanley Clark and Al Dimeola on guitar). They served as my great introduction to Jazz Fusion (a progressive version of jazz really popular with ‘70s musicians). I couldn’t believe my ears that it was even possible to conceive write and play this stuff.

 

Not only was Chick Corea and example of technical perfection, his melodies would touch your soul. His licks were awe inspiring, and his Improvs would take you to places you’ve never imagined beforeAmongst countless other accomplishments, Chick Corea has won 23 Grammys as of my latest count. 

 

Chick, We will miss you. I know your music will live on to inspire future generations of countless musicians. Thank you so much for what you’ve give it to us all.

 

My Spanish Heart 1976

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nCNKB3bIp-9ZVi3SSDIGTBIZgF5PeLBXc

My Spanish Heart 2019 featuring Ruben Blades

https://youtu.be/xrGtuXCIBe0

Spain

https://youtu.be/2oHPrdizBuk

The Musician

https://youtu.be/ZmIcpFfmZ0s

 

Written by Lee Evans
JAMBOX Entertainment Studios