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”.
During his career, Corea won 23 Grammys and was the fourth most-nominated artist in Grammys history.
The Facebook post reads;
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. Through his body of work and the decades he spent touring the world, he touched and inspired the lives of millions.
Corea was a multi-faceted musician, working as a composer, keyboardist, bandleader and occasional percussionist.
He was a part of Miles Davis’s 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.
Corea in one of their music said;
There was a synergy going on between what we were creating and how audiences were digging it.
He also formed his own avant-garde group, Circle. He worked on many other projects, including duos with Herbie Hancock and vibraphonist Gary Burton.
Corea recorded and performed classical music, standards, solo originals, Latin jazz and tributes to great jazz pianists, TheGuardian reports.
Last year, Corea released the double album Plays, which captured him at various concerts armed simply with his piano.
Corea in a final statement also shared on Facebook 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.
May his soul rest in peace.
