SO who shows up backstage before our Antwerp gig but Herbie! His whole band was there too - they’ll be performing at the same hall tomorrow night. I hadn’t seen James Genus or Terrance Blanchard for a little while - great to see them. But how great it was to see Herbie - my piano mentor and buddy.
I was finally able to personally congratulate him on his beautiful recording “River: The Joni Letters” winning Record Of The Year, That’s some very special and spiritual playing that Herbie created on that recording - and for music that sophisticated to win Record Of The Year was unprecedented - the music was like him floating slowly through space gently leading all the other musicians to some wonderful place.
So John and I invited Herbie up to play the encore with us - - and we jammed In A Silent Way and It’s About That Time - - the first time Herbie, John and myself have played together since we recorded together that memorable time with Miles. We all played the music as naturally as we breathe - - It was thrilling . . . . . . . . .
3 responses so far ↓
1 jvhecke // Nov 6, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Hi Chick, and John, and those three other heavenly musicians. What a great concert it was, especially after the break. I am not so much into jazz, I am a folkie. But my wife assured me that you had to see Chich Corea at least once in your life, to know about piano playing. And I agree with her. I had seen John before with Paco and Al, and knew that he wouldn’t dispappoint me. And I had always wanted to buy the Mad Hatter, but I didn’t do it because I didn’t know what kind of music to expect. Now I know better.
But what a heavenly band! And the way you played together, and supported each other in the solos was marvellous. Your faces told us how much you enjoyed playing that music and sharing it with the public.
Sadly only half of the hall was filled, but those who were there feeled the magic in the air. And we knew all that Herbie and his band were there, and we al hoped and prayed that Obama would become president and that Herbie would join you on the stage. And when he really appeared on the stage with you, everybody was thrilled (even the boxes, alas). Another highlight was added to a memorable evening. Back to back behind two pianos you sat there, and the music ascended from there and drifted to the rest of the band, who took it over and multiplied the themes and brought us all into exaltation.
I am curious how this concert sounds at the end of the tour. Thank you Chick, John, Vinnie, Kenny, Herbie, and very far from least, Christian (what a bass player!!!!) for this unforgettable evening full of timeless music.
2 Carl Hager // Nov 7, 2008 at 12:04 am
Chick, I CANNOT wait to hear you play with John, Christian, Vinnie and Kenny. I only wish Herbie could join you the night I see you perform. In looking at your published set list for the shows you have been doing, I saw the tune entitled “Señor CS” and I almost busted a gut. I decided that your ability to communicate and your demonstrated sense of humor affirm your status as a world-class punster. That needs to be acknowledged. You are funnier than hell. This validation goes back to your 1982 album “Again and Again: the Joberg Sessions”, so it is one of those Lifetime Achievement awards. Please accept it. So amongst other things, in the history of the music universe, you are the Jazz Musician with the Best Sense of Humor. Grammy nomination committee, please note…
3 cbr1000f // Nov 9, 2008 at 10:21 am
When one buys a ticket for a concert of a band full of supermusicians, one still can’t be sure what will happen.
But afterwards all I can say is:
What a band…what a gig!!
The gig even surpassed my wildest dreams about this band!
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