AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Chick Corea

Artist:Chick Corea

Song:Royalty

Album:The Vigil

Pianist Chick Corea was one of the all time jazz greats. He was one of the pioneers of fusion music. He led several bands over the years. This band known as The Vigil was his final formal touring band. The purpose of labelling a band was so concert goers would know what they were going to see. Sometimes he would tour solo or with guys like Makoto Ozone or Gary Burton. Of course Corea's best known band was Return to Forever in the 70s. That band was so popular that after it ended, Corea started other bands. He started two in the late 80s when he recorded for GRP. There was the Chick Corea Akoustic Band and the Chick Corea Elektric Band. Both bands toured for several years. Then in 1999 Corea started his own label Stretch Records with Concord distribution and he formed the band Origin. That band only recorded a couple of albums. Then he recorded The Vigil in 2013. When this band toured, they were billed as Chick Corea and the Vigil though it doesn't say that on the album. The musicians are lesser known but excellent. Sax player Tim Garland is from England. He has recorded as a leader since 1997 and was a member of Bill Bruford's Earthworks. Guitarist Charles Altura recorded with Stanley Clarke. Bassist Hadrien Feraud is the son of French musician Gerard Feraud. He has played with John McLaughlin. Drummer Marcus Gilmore is the grandson of legendary drummer Roy Haynes. The song Royalty is dedicated to Haynes. Percussionist Pernell Saturnino appears on three tracks. Stanley Clarke, Ravi Coltrane and Corea's singer wife Gayle Moran all make guest appearances. This album is on Concord as it appears that Corea closed Stretch. Though this band toured for a couple of years, Corea never made a second Vigil album. He did start The Spanish Heart Band for the 2019 album Antidote. Except for Gilmore, the musicians are different. That was Corea's final Concord album. He died on Feb. 9, 2021 at age 79. Here's Chick Corea with Tim Garland on sax, Charles Altura on guitar, Carlitos del Puerto on bass, Marcus Gilmore on drums and Luisito Quintero on percussion performing Royalty at the Blue Note in Milan, Italy Oct. 20, 2015. Several bassists toured with this band including Christian McBride.