The Classic Jazz Trio
Chick Corea • Roy Haynes • Miroslav Vitous

After accompanying jazz vocalist Sarah Vaughan in 1967, Chick went into the studio in March of 1968 to record Now He Sings, Now He Sobs with bassist Miroslav Vitous and drummer Roy Haynes. That trio album is now considered a jazz classic.

The remarkably conversational approach of Chick’s piano interacting with Miroslav’s formidable grooves and the irrepressible and unpredictable swinging momentum of legendary drummer Haynes (who had played with Charlie Parker, Lester Young, Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane, along with countless other jazz greats) has since been used as a template for generations of jazz musicians working in a trio setting.

Corea, Vitous and Haynes reprised their near-telepathic chemistry on the 1981 studio album Trio Music, a double LP for ECM, and also on 1985‘s Trio Music: Live in Europe. The three musical forces were able to come together again in 2001 during Chick’s two-week career retrospective at the Blue Note in New York (documented as the 10-DVD set Rendezvous in New York).

They will rekindle their rare chemistry in September on tours of Europe and Israel. Says Chick of this unique triumverate: “The synergy between myself, Miroslav and Roy has always been great - but we haven't played together very much these past years. I'm looking forward to exploring some new territory with them this September.”

Chick on Roy Haynes:

At 84 years old "body age," this man continues to be a bubbling and driving force on the jazz scene. The history of artists and bands he's played with is staggering—starting with Charlie Parker, through Bud Powell, Monk, Coltrane, Sarah Vaughan, Miles, Getz, and every major jazz leader since. He's a walking history book of the Jazz Legacy since the mid-'40s.

I met Roy playing with Stan Getz in '67. We've since maintained a wonderful relationship in music. Together with Miroslav Vitous, we made Now He Sings, Now He Sobs—one of my and Roy's most acclaimed jazz trio records. We've since played in trio format here and there through the years.

Roy has a totally unstudied and natural approach to playing drums. His sound and touch are immediately recognizable. Roy holds a position along with Elvin, Max, and then Tony, of the definition of Modern Jazz Drumming.

Roy is also a vibrant entertainer—he's well known for his quick and sharp wit. He'll challenge anyone with anything just for the game of it. He makes the players he plays with Sound Great and Swing Hard!

He's a Magician on drums.

Chick on Miroslav Vitous:

Born in Czechoslovakia, Miroslav came through New York as a young man (maybe late teens) and made his mark as a totally formed, already developed, amazing musician and bassist. He has a commanding technique formed initially by playing classical music in his youth. But his application of this technique to the bass produces a unique sound and approach.

I loved Miroslav's adventurous sense of rhythm and decided that it would be a great combination to put with Roy's drumming. In my mind, they go together so well – Yin Yang, Now He Sings, Now He Sobs. And so this trio was formed in '67. Miroslav still searches for new forms combining classical orchestration with jazz and improvisation.

I find him to be a wonderful rhythm section partner to play with. We had not played together in maybe 15 years. He continues to be a unique voice in contemporary music.