Chick Corea, an American composer, keyboardist and bandleader, who won 23 Grammy awards, has died of a rare form of cancer at 79.
According to a post on his Facebook page, the musician died from “a rare form of cancer which was only discovered very recently”. In his career, Corea won 23 Grammys and was the fourth most-nominated artist in Grammys history.
“Throughout his life and career, Chick relished in the freedom and the fun to be had in creating something new, and in playing the games that artists do. He was a beloved husband, father and grandfather, and a great mentor and friend to so many. hrough his body of work and the decades he spent touring the world, he touched and inspired the lives of millions,” the post read.
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During a career spanning more than five decades, Chick was honored with 23 Grammy Awards and nominated 65 times, while he composed the likes of ‘Spain’, ‘500 Miles High’, and ‘La Fiesta’, which are widely considered jazz standards.
The Massachusetts-born musician replaced Herbie Hancock in Miles Davis’ group in the late 1960s, and played on his classic albums ‘In a Silent Way’ and ‘Bitches Brew’.
He then formed his own avant-garde group, Circle, before he founded Return to Forever in 1971, and the latter quickly became hugely influential in the jazz-fusion movement of the 1970s.
John Mayer, who shared a stage with Chick, has led tributes to the music legend.
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The 43-year-old singer-songwriter hailed Chick as “the single greatest improvisational musician” he’s ever played with.
Tributes have poured in from across the music industry, including from the rapper Q-Tip who tweeted “RIP to one of the coldest pianist/keyboardist/songwriters of ALL TIME”, and the musician Mike Portnoy who posted: “So sad to hear of 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 huge influence.”
Before his death, Chick penned an emotional message to his fans and loved ones.
He said: “I want to thank all of those along my journey who have helped keep the music fires burning bright. It is my hope that those who have an inkling to play, write, perform or otherwise, do so. If not for yourself then for the rest of us. It’s not only that the world needs more artists, it’s also just a lot of fun.
“And to my amazing musician friends who have been like family to me as long as I’ve known you: It has been a blessing and an honor learning from and playing with all of you. My mission has always been to bring the joy of creating anywhere I could, and to have done so with all the artists that I admire so dearly—this has been the richness of my life.”
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