Modartt user forum - Passing of a keyboard piano great - Chick Corea

Re: Passing of a keyboard piano great - Chick Corea

2021-02-26T04:10:18Z

As far back as when a Sony Walkman was a new thing, at the United States School of Music I did my early morning aerobic runs with the music from Corea I recorded onto one of my cassettes I had. It was in Virginia Beach where often before or during a morning dawn I put on my spongy headphones then to listen to both “What Game Shall We Play Today” and “Spain.” So, both I heard with the sun rising in my view. With the music in my ears I felt like a kid er free young child running.

Right now I feel unable to listen to “Spain.” So long as I do try my eyes just start to water!

Re: Passing of a keyboard piano great - Chick Corea

2021-02-15T23:45:06Z

Thanks David - very sad to take that in.

There are so many things to love about the guy.

Agree with Piet, even though Chick Corea's musical life spanned a vastness, incredible output rarely possible for any single person, he was like a constant mentor to so many - and just always seemed to be himself, a musician's musician and never smug about his amazing successes.

This summed it for me - in an interview kind of recently, he was asked about having won 22 Grammy awards and being nominated for yet another at the time.

Interviewer: "This kind of recognition, what does it mean to you?"

Chick's answer after a few seconds trying to word it:

"I hope I'm not getting in the way of other people winning Grammys."

And you know he meant that, it wasn't a wise-crack.

He's done so much to teach musicality, esp. loved his improv sessions - loved seeing budo's posted video!, and I'd really love everyone to see this one too (sums Chick up for me as a human), showing what a fantastic mentor looks like in action.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKujo1U-qQQ

There are more like that of course too.

I had a neighbor with a "Return to Forever" LP and I used to love visiting to enjoy listening with her. There seemed like nothing else like that happening anywhere (esp. in my home town). Absolutely inspiring.

So, he's returned to forever now and we can only hope there are more like Chick Corea in times to come.

Re: Passing of a keyboard piano great - Chick Corea

2021-02-15T20:31:53Z

one of the all time greats and personally very influential to me. during much of 2020 he livestreamed some of his practice sessions from his studio, like this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UelHdJrus8Q

it was great to get to see him "shedding." i had no idea i'd never be able to see him perform live again ...

Re: Passing of a keyboard piano great - Chick Corea

2021-02-12T12:29:27Z

Yes, RIP.

Re: Passing of a keyboard piano great - Chick Corea

2021-02-12T12:20:50Z

A monument. Phenomenal musician. Incredible piano player. Fabulous composer. And a heart so kind and warm I suspect it, more than climate change, has been responsible for the melting of the ice caps.

A devastating loss.

Passing of a keyboard piano great - Chick Corea

2021-02-12T09:40:12Z

I just read in my newspaper today that Chick Corea died of cancer on February 9, 2021 at the age of 79. I did not realize that he had been living just an hour or so north of me in Tampa Bay, Florida. He had apparently been a devotee of the spiritual group Scientology, and had moved to Tampa to be close to their group's headquarters:

https://www.tampabay.com/things-to-do/m...y/2296675/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chick_Corea

Certainly a powerful force in jazz piano. He has a number of teaching videos available on the Internet covering jazz stylings.