Jazz pioneer Chick Corea died at the age of 79.
According to a post on his Facebook page, the musician died due to “a rare form of cancer that was only recently discovered.” In his career, Korea has won 23 Grammys and was the fourth most nominated artist in Grammy history.
“Throughout his life and career, Chick has enjoyed the freedom and fun of having something new and playing the games that artists play,” the post read. “He was a beloved husband, father and grandfather, and a great mentor and friend to so many. Through his work and the decades he spent around the world, he touched and inspired the lives of millions of people. ”
Korea was a multi-faceted musician who worked as a composer, keyboardist, bandleader and occasional percussionist. He was part of Miles Davis ‘band in the late’ 60s 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 create and the way the public digs it,” Korea said of their music.
He also formed his own avant-garde group, Circle. He has worked on many other projects, including duets with Herbie Hancock and vibraphone player Gary Burton. He has recorded and performed classical music, standards, solo originals, Latin jazz and tributes to the great jazz pianists.
Last year, Korea released the double album Plays, which captured him at various concerts simply armed with his piano.
“Just as a runner loves to run because he feels good, I like to play the piano just because he feels good,” he told the Associated Press at the time. “I can just change gears and go in another direction or go to another song or whatever I want to do. So it’s a constant experiment. ”
The double album was a look into the musical heart of Korea, containing songs he wrote about children decades ago, as well as songs by Mozart, Thelonious Monk and Stevie Wonder, among others.
Tributes spilled over from the entire music industry, including rapper Q-Tip who posted on Twitter “RIP to one of the coolest pianists / keyboardists / songwriters in ALL TIME” and musician Mike Portnoy who posted: sad to hear about the passing of @ChickCorea One of the pioneers of jazz / fusion keyboards. Return To Forever was one of the first real supergroups and such a big influence. ”
“I want to thank everyone along my journey who helped keep the musical fire burning,” Corea said in a final statement also shared on Facebook. “I hope that those who have a good idea to play, write, interpret or otherwise, do it. If not for you, then for all of us. Not only does the world need more artists, but it is also a lot of fun. ”