Jazz Piano Legend Chick Corea, Founder of Return to Forever, Dies at 79

Jazz Piano Legend Chick Corea, Founder of Return to Forever, Dies at 79

By Marcus Hartley

November 20, 2024 at 05:54 PM

Legendary jazz pianist and composer Chick Corea passed away on February 9th at age 79 due to a rare form of cancer that was recently discovered.

Chick Corea playing piano, black-and-white

Chick Corea playing piano, black-and-white

A 23-time Grammy winner and founder of the influential jazz-fusion group Return to Forever, Corea left an indelible mark on jazz music through his five-decade career spanning over 80 studio albums. His notable works include "Spain," "500 Miles High," and "Windows."

In a final message to his fans, Corea encouraged aspiring musicians: "It's not only that the world needs more artists, it's also just a lot of fun." He expressed gratitude to his musical collaborators, stating that bringing joy through creating music had been "the richness of my life."

Beginning his solo career with 1968's "Tones for Joan's Bones," Corea collaborated with jazz luminaries including Miles Davis, Gary Burton, and Steve Gadd. He founded Return to Forever in 1971, releasing seven studio albums and performing well into the 2000s.

Fellow musicians paid tribute to Corea's legacy. Eight-time Grammy winner Eddie Palmieri called him "my mentor and dear friend," while NEA Jazz Master Charles Lloyd remembered him as "a generous bright light" who "loved exploring."

Throughout his career, Corea earned 67 Grammy nominations, winning his first in 1975. His innovative approach to jazz fusion and dedication to musical exploration influenced generations of musicians and helped shape modern jazz.

Chick Corea performing live. Photo Credit: Tore Sætre

Chick Corea performing live. Photo Credit: Tore Sætre

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