History of Chick Corea in Timeline
Chick Corea was a highly influential American jazz pianist and composer known for his iconic compositions like "Spain" and "500 Miles High." He played a pivotal role in the development of jazz fusion as a member of Miles Davis's band and later formed the successful group Return to Forever. Corea is widely recognized as one of the most important jazz pianists following John Coltrane's era, alongside contemporaries like Herbie Hancock and Keith Jarrett.
June 12, 1941: Birth of Chick Corea
Armando Anthony "Chick" Corea was born on June 12, 1941. He would become a renowned American jazz pianist, composer, bandleader, and occasional percussionist.
1966: Release of Debut Album: "Tones for Joan's Bones"
Chick Corea marked a significant milestone in his career with the release of his debut album, "Tones for Joan's Bones," in 1966, launching his professional recording career.
March 1968: Release of "Now He Sings, Now He Sobs"
In March 1968, Chick Corea released the highly regarded trio album "Now He Sings, Now He Sobs" with drummer Roy Haynes and bassist Miroslav Vitouš.
1968: Release of "Now He Sings, Now He Sobs"
Chick Corea released his album "Now He Sings, Now He Sobs" in 1968.
1968: Collaboration with Miles Davis Begins
Chick Corea's career took a significant turn in 1968 when he began recording and touring with Miles Davis, contributing to influential albums like "Filles de Kilimanjaro," "In a Silent Way," "Bitches Brew," and "On the Corner."
1968: Introduction to Dianetics
In 1968, Corea was introduced to Dianetics by L. Ron Hubbard, sparking an interest in Scientology that would later influence his life and career.
1970: Formation of the Group "Circle"
Following his departure from Miles Davis' band, Chick Corea teamed up with Dave Holland, Anthony Braxton, and Barry Altschul in 1970 to form the group "Circle," marking a new chapter in his musical journey.
1970: Performance at the Isle of Wight Festival and Departure from Davis' Band
In 1970, Chick Corea performed with Miles Davis' band at the Isle of Wight Festival, a notable event in his career. Shortly after, he decided to depart from the band to pursue his own musical path.
1971: Exploration of Solo Piano and Release of "Piano Improvisations"
In 1971, encouraged by ECM producer Manfred Eicher, Chick Corea delved into the world of solo piano, recording "Piano Improvisations Vol. 1" and "Piano Improvisations Vol. 2" in April of that year. This marked a departure from his previous group work and a deeper exploration of his individual artistry.
1972: Marriage to Gayle Moran
In 1972, Corea married his second wife, vocalist and pianist Gayle Moran, after divorcing his first wife, Joanie, with whom he had two children.
1972: Collaboration with Gary Burton Begins
Chick Corea's collaboration with vibraphonist Gary Burton started in 1972, resulting in several duet albums for ECM, including the notable "Crystal Silence."
1972: Formation and Evolution of Return to Forever
Chick Corea's band, Return to Forever, emerged in 1972, showcasing a unique blend of acoustic and electronic instrumentation. The band's early work drew heavily on Hispanic music styles, later incorporating rock and funk influences. This evolution in their sound led to the release of significant albums like "Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy," "Where Have I Known You Before," "No Mystery," and "Romantic Warrior."
1976: Release of "My Spanish Heart"
In 1976, Chick Corea released "My Spanish Heart," an album heavily influenced by Hispanic music. It featured vocals by his wife, Gayle Moran, and violin by Jean-Luc Ponty. The album's fusion of jazz and flamenco, alongside elements of the Minimoog synthesizer and a horn section, showcased Corea's eclectic musical approach.
1982: "The Meeting" with Friedrich Gulda
Chick Corea collaborated with classical pianist Friedrich Gulda for a live duet performance titled "The Meeting" in 1982, showcasing his versatility and ability to bridge different musical worlds.
1982: Space Jazz: The Soundtrack of the Book Battlefield Earth
In 1982, Corea, influenced by Scientology, collaborated with Stanley Clarke on "Space Jazz: The Soundtrack of the Book Battlefield Earth," an album inspired by L. Ron Hubbard's novel.
1986: Signing with GRP Records
Chick Corea signed a record deal with GRP Records in 1986, leading to a prolific period of releases, including albums with the Chick Corea Elektric Band and the Akoustic Band.
1989: Debut of the Akoustic Band
The Chick Corea Akoustic Band released their self-titled debut album in 1989, featuring John Patitucci on bass and Dave Weckl on drums.
1991: Release of "Alive" by the Akoustic Band
The Akoustic Band, featuring Chick Corea, John Patitucci, and Dave Weckl, released their live album "Alive" in 1991, capturing their dynamic performances.
1992: Establishment of Stretch Records
In a move to further control his musical output and support other artists, Chick Corea established his own record label, Stretch Records, in 1992.
1993: Exclusion from Stuttgart Concert
Corea was excluded from a concert at the 1993 World Championships in Athletics in Stuttgart due to his affiliation with Scientology, sparking controversy and debate about religious freedom.
1994: End of Contract with GRP Records
By 1994, Chick Corea had released ten albums with GRP Records, marking the end of this significant chapter in his recording career.
1996: Legal Challenge to Concert Ban
In 1996, Corea's legal challenge against his exclusion from the 1993 Stuttgart concert was unsuccessful, further fueling the debate surrounding his involvement with Scientology.
1997: Honorary Doctorate from Berklee College of Music
In 1997, Corea received an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee College of Music, recognizing his contributions to jazz education.
1998: Release of "Like Minds"
In 1998, Chick Corea reunited with Gary Burton, Dave Holland, Roy Haynes, and Pat Metheny for the collaborative album "Like Minds." The album showcased the musical kinship between these jazz legends.
1999: Performance of "Spain" with the London Philharmonic Orchestra
Chick Corea ventured into the world of classical music, composing his first piano concerto, an adaptation of his renowned piece "Spain." He performed the concerto with the London Philharmonic Orchestra in 1999, demonstrating his ability to seamlessly navigate between jazz and classical genres.
1999: Grammy Hall of Fame Induction
Corea's 1968 album "Now He Sings, Now He Sobs" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.
2001: Formation of the Chick Corea New Trio
Chick Corea formed the Chick Corea New Trio in 2001, featuring bassist Avishai Cohen and drummer Jeff Ballard. The trio released their debut album, "Past, Present & Futures," showcasing Corea's continued exploration of the piano trio format.
2004: Release of "To the Stars"
Chick Corea continued to explore fusion music with the release of his album "To the Stars" in 2004.
2004: Composition of "String Quartet No. 1"
In 2004, Chick Corea composed his first work without keyboards, "String Quartet No. 1." The piece, written for and performed by the Orion String Quartet at the Summerfest in Wisconsin, highlighted his growth as a composer and his willingness to explore new musical territories.
2006: Reunion Tour with Gary Burton
After years of individual pursuits, Chick Corea and Gary Burton reunited in 2006 for a concert tour, rekindling their musical partnership.
2006: Release of "Ultimate Adventure" and Grammy Award
Chick Corea's fusion album "Ultimate Adventure" won the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group in 2006.
December 2007: Release of "The Enchantment" and Collaboration with Béla Fleck
In December 2007, Chick Corea and banjoist Béla Fleck released their duet album, "The Enchantment." They embarked on an extensive tour to support the album, further highlighting their musical partnership.
October 2008: Five Peace Band World Tour
In October 2008, Chick Corea embarked on a world tour with his new group, the Five Peace Band, featuring John McLaughlin, Kenny Garrett, and Christian McBride, with Vinnie Colaiuta and Brian Blade sharing drumming duties.
2008: Collaboration with Hiromi Uehara
Chick Corea joined forces with Japanese pianist Hiromi Uehara in 2008 to record the live album "Duet (Chick Corea and Hiromi)." Their performance at Tokyo's Budokan arena on April 30 added another dimension to Corea's collaborative projects.
2008: Return to Forever Reunion Tour
The third iteration of Return to Forever, with Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Lenny White, and Al Di Meola, embarked on a highly anticipated worldwide reunion tour in 2008.
2008: Release of "The New Crystal Silence"
Chick Corea and Gary Burton's collaborative album, "The New Crystal Silence," was released in 2008, featuring both duets and performances with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
May 2009: Release of Return to Forever Concert DVD
A concert DVD of Return to Forever, featuring Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Lenny White, and Al Di Meola, recorded at the Montreux Jazz Festival, was released in May 2009.
2009: Grammy Award for "The New Crystal Silence"
"The New Crystal Silence" earned Chick Corea and Gary Burton a Grammy Award in 2009, recognizing their exceptional musical synergy.
2010: Doctor Honoris Causa at NTNU
In 2010, Corea was awarded the title of Doctor Honoris Causa from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), highlighting his global impact on music.
2011: Burghausen "Street of Fame" Honor
Despite past controversies, Corea continued to perform in Germany, receiving recognition with a plaque on Burghausen's "Street of Fame" in 2011.
2011: Jazz at Lincoln Center Retrospective
In 2011, Corea's musical legacy was celebrated with a retrospective at Jazz at Lincoln Center, where he performed with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.
2015: Duet Concert Series with Herbie Hancock
Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock revived their duet concert series in 2015. This time, they incorporated synthesizers into their performances, showcasing their evolving musical approaches while maintaining the essence of their piano duet format.
2016: 75th Birthday Celebration at the Blue Note
Chick Corea celebrated his 75th birthday in 2016 with a six-week residency at the Blue Note Jazz Club in Greenwich Village, New York City, performing with over 20 different groups.
February 9, 2021: Death of Chick Corea
Chick Corea passed away on February 9, 2021. He left behind a legacy as a highly influential figure in jazz fusion and beyond.
May 2024: 27 Grammy Awards
As of May 2024, Corea had won 27 Grammy Awards and received 72 nominations, solidifying his legacy as one of the most celebrated jazz musicians.
June 2024: Chick Corea's Legacy and Grammy Recognition
As of June 2024, Chick Corea's contributions to music continued to be recognized. He had won 27 Grammy Awards and received 72 nominations, solidifying his place as a celebrated musician.