As many of you know already, great jazz musician Chick Corea passed away on February 9th. I saw his performances several times in Tokyo and every time his sounds filled my heart with joy. I featured Chick Corea in this week’s “For your listening pleasure” section.
He left a touching message for “all those he knew and loved, and for all those who loved him” on his website. Rest in Peace, Mr. Corea.
FROM BOB BOWMAN
As I’m sure you all probably already know of the recent passing of Chick Corea.
Chick’s music had a profound impact on me and so many others. Listeners and players alike. The thing that strikes me about Chick is how prolific he was and how it was always something fresh.The first I heard Chick was on Miles Davis’s “In a Silent Way”. I was into the trio of Chick, Dave Holland and Barry Altschul around 1970. After that I remember the extreme departure from that to the recording of “Light As Feather” and the “Return to Forever” group. Astoundingly different, but both great.
My only experience playing with Chick was in 1981. It was my first live performance with Carmen McRae and we split the bill with Chick and Gary Burton at a large concert hall in Buenos Aires for three nights. Afterwards Carmen’s trio(Marshall Otwell, Mark Pulice, and yours truly) would go sit in and play a set courtesy of the house band at a packed venue with Chick. Carmen actually sat in one night which was unusual. Chick played synth, Marshall piano, Mark drums and me. I remember Chick was so nice and respectful. The crowd was delirious. So much energy in the room. That was an experience I’ll never forget. Totally off the cuff, too!
Great pianist in his own right, Josh Nelson, just told me of him playing a jazz festival in Detroit when he played right before Chick’s Electric Band was to come on and he looked out and saw Chick listening to him. He said he freaked, but I’m sure Josh rose to the occasion. Those are growing experiences that I’ve had a few of myself, seeing an idol in the audience. I heard Chick a lot as has Yae. In many different configurations. The group Origin, playing a Mozart piano concerto with the KC Symphony and the last time I heard him was with he and Gary Burton. About 6 years ago. Astounding the way the two of them played together. Gary doesn’t play anymore, Keith Jarrett can’t. We’ve lost McCoy and too many others to name recently.
Thank you, Chick. RIP
TONIGHT! ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT BILLINGS PETROLEUM CLUB
If you are around Billings tonight, please come and join guitarist Alex Nauman and pianist Erik Olson at Billings Petroleum Club! Here is flom Alex. “Wednesday night jazz is happening up at the Billings Petroleum Club !! 6-8pm excited to be playing some duo sets with Erik Olson tonight Non-members are welcome, but please call ahead for reservations! Tables are socially distanced and staff is wonderful. Come hang.”
Billings Petroleum Club
(406) 252-6700
22nd floor of DoubleTree hotel, Billings (27 North 27th Street)
Wednesday, February 17th 6:00p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
http://billingspetroleumclub.com/
TONIGHT! ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT LEVITY IN BILLINGS
Every Wednesday Night, Levity features Live Jazz starting at 7:00 p.m. It’s a Jam Session with Local Jazz Musicians. There are always familiar faces, but it’s open to anyone that can play. All you need is raw talent and your instrument!
Levity Bar and Bistro
(406) 651-5985
1027 Shiloh Crossing Blvd Suite 8, Billings, MT 59102
Wednesday, February 17th 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Facebook event page
ON SATURDAY NIGHT AT TUNE UP BAR IN BOZEMAN
Weekend Live jazz at “Tune Up Bar” of Kimpton Armory Hotel in Bozeman! This Saturday, February 20th from 8 to 10 PM guitarist Craig Hall, bassist Bob Bowman, and trumpeter Luca Rodoni will be performing and it will be beautiful night of music! Please join the band at the bar, the cozy underground bar on the west side of the hotel! No cover. Don’t forget your mask.
Tune Up Bar
(406) 551-7702
24 W. Mendenhall St. Bozeman, MT 59715 (Kimpton Armory Hotel)
Saturday, February 20th 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Facebook event page
FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE
As I wrote earlier, this week I featured great pianist Chick Corea. Bob and I listened to “Crystal Silence” (1972) by Chick Corea and Gary Burton after we heard the sad news. Such a beautiful album. Here is a link to the duo playing “Crystal Silence”. You can watch a whole concert by Corea & Burton duo at Jazzwoche Burghausen 2011. Also if you like his Akoustic Band, here is Chick Corea Acoustic Band at Jazzgipfel Stuttgart in 1988.
As Bob wrote in his message, Chick played Miles Davis’s “In a Silent Way” in 1969. Here is a link to the album “In a Silent Way” : Miles Davis on trumpet, Wayne Shorter on soprano saxophone, John McLaughlin on electric guitar, Chick Corea on electric piano, Herbie Hancock on electric piano, Joe Zawinul on electric piano, organ, Dave Holland on bass, Tony Williams on drums.
Our friend and Bozeman jazz fan Greg sent me recommendations. Here is a quote from his message!
“I will be listening to a lot of his music in the coming weeks, and will forward some favorite picks. I have one loaded up in my tray right now, and will recommend it: There is a YouTube video of Chick and the great Jesus “Chucho” Valdez playing twin grand pianos, and having delightful fun doing it. He also recorded a live, twin-piano album with Herbie. In addition, I can heartily recommend the album Play, where he does duo work live with Bobby McFerrin, and also his album Three Quartets, featuring Michael Brecker. And, of course, his two Akoustic Band albums. And don’t forget that he was on Bitches Brew, with Miles, a truly historic recording.”
You can watch Chick and Herbie’s live performance in 1978 here, and Bobby McFerrin & Chick Corea New Trio at North Sea Jazz Festival in 2002 here.
PHOTO BOOK “SEKKEI. KUKEI”
My photo book “雪景 – Sekkei. 空景 – Kukei.” for sale!
To friends who bought my 2021 calendar, thank you so much for your support! I printed a small amount of my first photo book which are my first baby steps.
About the title. Japanese “Sekkei” means snowscape. “Sekkei” is combination of these words: Yuki (snow) and Kei (scenery, landscape view, scene.) ”Kukei”, I made up this word to go with “Sekkei”. I used a combination of the words: Ku (sky, space) and Kei to title my photos of sky.
So here are my humble works, “Sekkei. Kukei”. (11.5 x 8.5 inch, 22 pages)
$28 include shipping (U.S. only)
Please order via PayPal or Venmo. Don’t forget to add your shipping address.
PayPal : https://py.pl/16uBzE
Venmo : @Yae-Inoue
If you prefer sending a check or cash, please contact me a via Contact page.
BigSkyJazz.net and news letter Jazz this week are non-profit. I am doing this to be a little help for jazz community around Bozeman while I work as a website/graphic designer.
If you feel like helping me with a little reward please donate from “Buy me a glass of wine page“. It is much appreciated!!!