Chick Corea - Notes From the Road

Back in the U.S.S.R

When I’m into it I’m right there - but later (like now) when I try to write about it, it seems a blur. We traveled 33 days, did 18 gigs (4 solo, 14 duet with Béla) - that’s 13 countries, 18 cities - with the last 5 concerts in Spain. It all went by in the blink of an eye. I need new pages on my passport.

The Eastern European countries were refreshing because the audiences were so appreciative. It’s a part of the world that stayed pretty much out of reach to us traveling musicians until more recently with these countries attaining their independence. I think one reason these audiences enjoy seeing us play is because we represent a spirit of individual freedom and freedom of expression to them. We have a good time on stage and it shows. It’s something we all want - and should have.

I played 2 solo concerts in Portugal and enjoyed the Portuguese audiences and the language they speak, which is so musical to the ear. Playing solo is relaxing to me as I usually don’t prepare any written music. I take the few solo shows I do as an opportunity to not follow a set program and just improvise as I go - since there’s no other player there to coordinate with. I tried some new Bill Evans compositions out. He’s a wonderful composer as well as the piano innovator that he’s well known to be. And I’m always interested to play the Thelonious Monk songbook. And my “Childrens Songs” are fun to try to play differently each time.

The shows with Béla were the highlight though. We took the compositions we made for our recording The Enchantment and stretched them every which way each night. I learned quite a bit about the banjo and its history from talking with Béla and watching the wonderful film he was editing while we were traveling. It’s called Throw Down Your Heart and is a very captivating film documentary of his trip to Africa - the home of the banjo - and his collaborations with many African musicians, mostly in the villages. There was a part which featured this enormous marimba played by several musicians at one time. It made me think that this must have been the beginnings of what later became not only the modern marimba and the vibraphone but also the idea of a keyboard and finally the piano. The film makes you fall in love with Africa.

A subtle poster for Lativa concert.

We played in Russia, Latvia, Croatia, Turkey, Poland, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic then on to the more familiar Italy, Spain and England. Sounds exotic doesn’t it? Well, it was in a way - but not as much as you might think, if you haven’t recently traveled to these parts. All the Eastern European countries are in a resurgence and so we were treated to some pretty nice hotels and some very good food.

The music? You want to know about the music? I’ve always had a hard time trying to describe to another what it’s like other than saying how much of a great feeling it is to make music for people everywhere. It’s a charmed life we lead.

Well, there you go - and over to you - - hang by your thumbs and have a very pleasant holiday season.

Chick