Chick Corea, Jazz Fusion pioneer, dies at 79 [View all]

Keyboardist-composer Chick Corea, who attained stardom as a fusion pioneer and distinguished himself as a do-anything player across the jazz spectrum and beyond, died Tuesday from a rare form of cancer, his Facebook page announced. He was 79.

Born Armando Corea in Chelsea, MA, he rose to prominence as a sideman in Miles Davis’ groundbreaking electric bands of the late ’60s.

Corea later co-founded the avant garde unit Circle before becoming a commercial force in his own right with the stormy ’70s fusion group Return to Forever.

He also distinguished himself in duo performances with pianist Herbie Hancock and vibraphonist Gary Burton; led his own Elektric Band and Akoustic Band - and ventured into contemporary classic music at the turn of the millennium.

He founded the all-star unit the 5 Peace Band with another Davis sideman, guitarist John McLaughlin, in 2008.

A prolific record-maker with nearly 90 albums as a leader or co-leader to his credit, Corea racked up a staggering 22 Grammy Awards (and a total of 63 nominations) and three Latin Grammys. He was named a National Endowment of the Arts Jazz Master in 2006.

At: https://variety.com/2021/music/news/chick-corea-dead-jazz-fusion-pioneer-1234906551/

Jazz pianist and composer Chick Corea, 1941-2021, performing his 1980 hit Spain.

“It is my hope that those who have an inkling to play, write, perform or otherwise, do so. If not for yourself then for the rest of us. It’s not only that the world needs more artists, it’s also just a lot of fun.”