In the cold month of January, Chick enjoyed a warm weekend of accolades from Chamber Music America, which celebrated the diversity of his jazz and classical works over his prolific career.
In addition to Corea receiving the Richard J. Bogomolny Award, CMA's highest honor, the weekend also saw the debut of a short film producted by Bob Belden, exploring Chick's impact as a composer.
"Celebrating Chick Corea"
Live at Symphony Space, New York City
A Saturday evening tribute concert at Symphony Space featured Chick's longtime collaborator Gary Burton, who performed stirring renditions of the Corea classics "Windows" and "Crystal Silence."
Also participating in this special event were trombonist Steve Davis and tenor saxophonist Tim Garland (both from Chick's Origin sextet), bassist Hans Glawischnig and drummer Marcus Gilmore (both of whom toured Europe with Chick in 2006 as part of a gala 250th birthday celebration for Mozart), drummer Antonio Sanchez (who toured in a trio with Chick and John Patitucci in 2007) and pianist Geoffrey Keezer filling in Chick's piano chair.
The concert included faithful renditions of such familiar Corea compositions as "Spain," "Humpty Dumpty," "Lithia" and "Armando's Rhumba" as well as a piece from Chick's chamber composition "The Adventures of Hippocrates," performed by the Harlem String Quartet.
The night built to a climax with a grand 14-piece interpretation of "Love Castle" (from My Spanish Heart). Corea himself appeared on the encore, a swinging rendition of his "Matrix," fueled by the dual drum tandem of Sanchez and Gilmore.
The Richard J. Bogomolny Award
Chick Accepts CMA's Highest Honor
At the culmination of CMA's national conference, pianist and composer Billy Childs and composer Peter Schickele praised Chick's artistry and musical personality, before Chick himself stepped to the podium to accept the Richard J. Bogomolny Award.
"When all of these musicians began to show up, I began to see that there is a community of us who really want to bring it all together, to break down the barriers of music, and just let music be music," Chick said.
"Celebrating Chick Corea" at Symphony Space
From left: Michael Reynolds (cello), Ilmar Gavilan (violin), Melissa White (violin), Tim Garland (saxophone), Desmond Neysmith (cello), Juan-Miguel Hernandez (viola), Diane Monroe (violin), Steve Davis (trombone), Geoffrey Keezer (piano), Gary Burton (vibraphone), Hans Glawischnig (bass), Antonio Sanchez (drums) and Marcus Gilmore (drums).
