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Jazz pioneer Chick Corea has passed away at the age of 79.
According to a post on his Facebook page, the musician died from a “rare form of cancer which was only discovered very recently.” Over the course of his career, Corea won 23 Grammys and was the fourth most nominated artist in Grammy history.
“Throughout his life and career, Chick has relished the freedom and pleasure of having to create something new and play the games artists make,” the article read. “He was a beloved husband, father and grandfather, and a great mentor and friend to so many. Through his work and decades of traveling the world, he has touched and inspired the lives of millions of people.
Corea was a multi-faceted musician, working as a composer, keyboardist, conductor and occasional percussionist. He was part of Miles Davis’ band in the late 1960s and appeared on key Davis albums such as In a Silent Way, Bitches Brew, A Tribute to Jack Johnson and On the Corner.
After working with Davis, he formed his own band, Return to Forever, experimenting with different genres and styles. “There was a synergy between what we were creating and the way the audience was digging into it,” Corea said of their music.
He also formed his own pioneering group, Circle. He has worked on many other projects, including duets with Herbie Hancock and vibraphonist Gary Burton. He has recorded and performed classical music, standards, original solos, Latin jazz and tributes to great jazz pianists.
Last year Corea released the double album Plays, which captured him at various concerts armed simply with his piano.
“As a runner likes to run because it feels good, I like to play the piano just because it feels good,” he told The Associated Press at the time. “I can just change gears and go another direction or go to another song or whatever I want to do. So it’s a constant experience. “
The double album was a glimpse into Corea’s musical heart, containing songs he wrote about children decades ago as well as tunes by Mozart, Thelonious Monk and Stevie Wonder, among others.
Tributes poured in from across the music industry, including from rapper Q-Tip who tweeted “RIP to one of the coldest pianists / keyboardists / songwriters of ALL TIME,” and musician Mike Portnoy who posted: “So sad to hear about the passing of @ChickCorea One of the pioneers of jazz / fusion keyboards. Return To Forever was one of the first true supergroups and had such a huge influence. “
“I want to thank everyone throughout my journey who has helped keep the fires of music alight,” Corea said in a final statement also shared on Facebook. “I hope that those who have an idea to act, to write, to play or otherwise will do so. If it’s not for you, then for the rest of us. It’s not only that the world needs more artists, it’s also a lot of fun.
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