Chick Corea Elektric Band

Chick Corea Elektric Band was a jazz fusion band, led by keyboardist and pianist Chick Corea and founded in 1986 in New York City. The band was nominated twice at the Grammy Awards.[1] The sixth band album, a tribute one named Chick Corea Elektric Band II - Paint the World and released in 1993, received an additional nomination the next year.[2] The group reunited in 2003, and Corea died in 2021.

Chick Corea Elektric Band
At the Blue Note in New York City. Left to right: Eric Marienthal (saxophone), Chick Corea (keyboard), Frank Gambale (guitar), Victor Wooten (bass), Dave Weckl (drums)
At the Blue Note in New York City. Left to right: Eric Marienthal (saxophone), Chick Corea (keyboard), Frank Gambale (guitar), Victor Wooten (bass), Dave Weckl (drums)
Background information
GenresJazz fusion
Years active1986–2017
LabelsStretch, GRP
Members
Past members

History

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Original lineup and first two albums

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The bands first line up formed in 1985 and consisted of Dave Weckl (drums) and John Pattituci (bass) alongside Corea.[3] The band recorded and released their eponymous first album in 1986 which included Carlos Rios and Scott Henderson on guitars.

The band’s typical line-up was cemented in 1987's Light Years, with Frank Gambale replacing Scott Henderson as a full time member, and saxophonist Eric Marienthal joining the group.[4]

Third and fourth album

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The third album was Eye of the Beholder, released in 1988.[5] The material for the fourth album, Inside Out, released in 1990, was Corea originals.[5][6] The last album featuring the band's traditional line-up was Beneath the Mask, released in 1991.[7]

Fifth album and new lineup

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For the next album, Elektric Band II: Paint the World released in 1993, only Corea and Marienthal returned from the original line-up.[8] Gary Novak became the new drummer, Jimmy Earl took the bass, and Mike Miller played guitar.[8] The album's style is jazz-oriented.[9]

The tribute album and return of original lineup

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In 1996, the band recorded a version of "Rumble" from West Side Story for the tribute album The Songs of West Side Story; this saw Weckl and Gambale returning.[10] John Patitucci returned in 2004, restoring the band to its original lineup for To the Stars.[5][11]

Last band tour and Corea's death

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The band’s last tour took place in 2018.

Corea died of cancer at his home in the Tampa Bay area of Florida on February 9, 2021, at age 79; he had only recently been diagnosed.[12]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Live albums

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  • Live from Elario's (The First Gig) (rec. 1985, rel. 1996)
  • Live in Tokyo 1987 (rec. 1987, rel 2017).[5]
  • The Future Is Now (2023)

References

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  1. ^ "Chick Corea Elektric Band". GRAMMY.com. 2020-11-23. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  2. ^ "Chick Corea Elektric Band II". GRAMMY.com. 2020-11-23. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  3. ^ "Chick Corea Elektric Band - Live From Elario's (the first gig) (CD)". 2024-01-08. Archived from the original on 2024-01-08. Retrieved 2024-01-08.
  4. ^ Yanow, Scott. "Chick Corea Elektric Band / Chick Corea: Light Years". AllMusic. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d "Chick Corea Elektric Band | Album Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  6. ^ Yanow, Scott. "Chick Corea Elektric Band / Chick Corea: Inside Out". AllMusic. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
  7. ^ Yanow, Scott. "Chick Corea Elektric Band / Chick Corea: Beneath the Mask". AllMusic. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
  8. ^ a b Yanow, Scott. "Chick Corea / Chick Corea Elektric Band: Paint the World". AllMusic. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
  9. ^ Paint the World - Chick Corea, Chick Corea Elektric Band II | Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 2021-02-14
  10. ^ The Songs of West Side Story - Various Artists | Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 2021-02-14
  11. ^ "Chick Corea Elektric Band / Chick Corea: To the Stars – Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
  12. ^ "Jazz keyboard virtuoso Chick Corea dead of cancer at age 79". nbcnews.com. 2019-02-11. Retrieved 2021-02-17.