Chick Corea - Three Quartets, Live, Blue Note, New York, 22 April 2003

THREE QUARTETS
Chick Corea
Steve Gadd
Eddie Gomez
Michael Brecker

[@paxwallace8324]

You know Chick Did reach out to Bill Evans. And according to Chicks own words Bill was gracious with him, however Bill was always on his course the very same course he set for himself in the beginning. Chick was getting lots of traction as the new modernist golden boy. Gary Peacock described Bill's path as holographic ie in a hologram any little piece of it contains the whole i.e. motivic like Bach's Art of the Fugue as a goal. (Sorta,) So I can't imagine at the end of the day their meetings was Chicks dream come true. Artists are honest it's just how we're built. Bills philosophy came out in an interview with his brother who was also a Jazz Pianist. Bill talked about humility and respect so you're not coming from empty virtuosity and just kinetic energy. Hey I'm not saying Chick was coming from just that space. But that highly poly pentatonic post McCoy (Now he Sings now he Sobs) thing Chick moved forward was pretty far away from Bill. So nobody worked more than Eddie Gomez with Bill Evans so after decades of brilliant collaboration Bill ended his Career with Mark Johnson. Anyway I'd have loved to have been a fly on the wall during their inevitable conversations about Bill Evans!

[@enricomarconi8358]

Chick invented a whole new language/style, much copied by too many pianists out there (recording pianists that is). Bill's language was, imo, more interesting in his early days. Later on it became erratic in some recordings, and paradisiac in others (You Must Believe in Spring is a must have and must understand album). Chick's compositional skills are elsewhere as these Quartets testify. His knowledge of Bartok's and Berg's music (among many other important classical composers) are above any other jazz composer in the XX Century imo. And yet, his jazz language is somewhat revolutionary, especially in his way to use upper structure triads, very 'fresh sounding' voicing and intervallic playing, with an ability to play in and out that Bill Evans never fully explored, even in his TTT composition (which is serial music de facto). Bill started an avalanche, there's no doubt of that, but Corea, Hancock and Jarrett were its momentum' so to speak, bringing pianism to a whole new level. Thank GOD we never heard these three last names I just mention performing the 2-2 with the drums and then even 1-1, probably the fruit of heavy drug use towards Bill's last days.

[@paxwallace8324]

@@enricomarconi8358 I studied with Gary Peacock at Cornish in Seattle just before he got his gig with Keith. Apparently Chick kept approaching Gary about recording with him but Gary was waiting for Jarrett to say yes. But during that time Gary Peacock taught music theory at Cornish. Gary had also been Bill Evans Bassist. He spent a lot of time talking about how very deep Bill Evans was. What exactly it is that young musicians don't pick up about Bill. Bill never became irratic he just had breakthroughs like the magnificent Paris Concerts with Marc Johnson. If you're not familiar with Chicks recordings with ARC i.e. David Holland Anthony Braxton and Barry Altschul just before his breakdown and subsequent indoctrination into Scientology🙄 maybe you should be. The very real drive to be Avant Garde was perhaps at odds with his need to be popular. Regardless in my opinion his cartoon music Senior Mouse Romantic Warrior left me thinking WTF? It took a couple of Decades of that crap until 4Quartets. I was teenager not understanding that Chick had a much more challenging musical identity before his Hymn to the Seventh Galaxy 😑 thinking well Weather Report has more musical integrity although I did like his 1st 2 fusion LPs with Airto Flora and that tenor player who doubled flute. But Chick took a lot from McCoy Tuner and really refined it. He combined that with polymodal ie more challenging versions of Kinda Blue like Lithia and all that Now he Sings Now he Sobs. But not sure I would say he invented new anything. I don't know if he'd give himself that kinda credit either. But I go listen to that 1967 68 stuff with Mirislov Vitus and the great Roy Haynes at least twice a year. Still wow. Chick was like those mathematicians who do their most important work in their youth. He's in good company like Igor Stravinsky.

[@paxwallace8324]

@@enricomarconi8358 I consciously chose other influences than Chick even before I because serious about the piano and composition. Keith Jarrett, Kenny Wheeler, Ralph Towner & Oregon, and I guess almost unconsciously the whole Avant Garde that Chick turned his back on. But in case you haven't heard it you should listen to Chick and David Holland play Nefertiti.

[@enricomarconi8358]

@@paxwallace8324 I must own about 70 recordings by Chick and I have heard and know full well all the records you mention starting from Circle (ECM double with a yellow cover in Paris) down to the commercial stuff he did with the Electric Band. When I talk about Chick I don't talk about the commercial music he did but I rather talk about his ECM years (including his Septet composed for the Lincoln Centre), his duets with G. Burton (The live in Zürich is an absolute masterpiece - listen to THAT version of Señor Mouse instead of the RTWTF? Listen to his playing in Three Quartets (and writing, I happen to have the score and I performed that with Antonio Sanchez on drums for that matter years ago). I don't go into the Scientology stuff as that's a big no no for me, but there is lots of great music from Chick (including his piano concerto or his trio with Vitous and Haynes playing Monk's music and their Live in Europe as well). Yes on the other side there's tons of rubbish that I wished he never approached, but that was Chick. When he was on to the real music he was definitely one of the Titans (just listen to his version of Mozart's piano concerto with Gulda, or his Fantasy for two pianos on the same recoding - I also have that score btw and played that in concert). And then there is among the best 'free jazz' I ever heard when he was involved in that movement. There's another great recording by Chick in trio playing with Gomez and Motian and I believe it won the album of the year back then. Then there are his piano improvisations for the ECM, his duet with Kuyala and G. Burton "Duet". We cannot dismiss this stuff. Yes I give you that some other musicians have kept musical integrity, I agree, look at Jarrett for instance. What I don't get about Bill Evans? The drugs he used white tampered with his talent. In his early recording I loved the guy, "Everyone Dig Bill Evans" is one of them. Yes the Paris Concert (Vol. 1) is a great recording, but he was too stuck in his tonal way of playing as opposed to others who had wider horizons musically speaking. One of them was surely Chick. No Jarrett, no Evas had 1/10th of Chick's compositional skills. I only studied with Ray Santisi (Jarrett's teacher) but today i've the pleasure of performing with top notch musicians - conducing The London Symphony and the Royal Philharmonic, so don't talk to me as if I don't have a clue of what I'm saying... I'm not THAT young.

[@paxwallace8324]

@@enricomarconi8358 no offense intended brother. Sorry you took it that way. I'm sometimes approached in a way (when I'm not at a gig) that I feel less than respected for the dues I've paid but then I wake up. Anyway I love (for the most part) Chicks body of work. I remember a vocalist for whom I accompanied her class saying to me as I was playing some Chick "why because your sound is totally different". I didn't have the answer but she gave it in her question/statement. Also even in the stuff I don't love there's always bright shining moments.

[@luke125]

On the record (1983) everyone is at the peak of their powers. They all still sound great here but the recorded version is a masterpiece.

[@ghanisalibas7562]

Great drummer Steve Gadd

[@marlonchik]

Да, Стив Гедд величайший барабанщик!!!

[@alexanderednie1205]

He might be able to make a name for himself

[@bobbysands6923]

I saw this same show at the same place two years earlier--Dec, 2001. I saw 4 shows. One of the nights Brecker and Gadd got the crowd so worked up they were screaming at the stage. Will never forget it. Still in Denial Brecker and Chick are gone.

[@MikePulcinellaVideo]

I was there. One of the highlights of my life.

[@robertklouse]

who are you Mike?

[@robertklouse]

you became 🫠In-fused

[@MikePulcinellaVideo]

@@robertklouse ex-musician, now documentary filmmaker, just a regular guy who loves great music.

[@robertklouse]

@@MikePulcinellaVideo nice to meet you ,mike .ex rd & stg mngr ,photographer for Houston Country TV & Radio.Keith Gilley was a member of our band..and presently.

[@MikePulcinellaVideo]

@@robertklouse Very cool! Nice to meet you too.

[@Piratebreadstick]

I have no idea if Chick was the greatest jazz pianist who ever lived, since there are a few others who could claim that distinction. But I'm convinced that in terms of 20th century composition ( which includes Bartok, Prokofiev, Shostakovich et al) he Is by far it's greatest improviser. I wish jazz reporters and jazz books would stop with the fusion label. His genius extends well beyond such restrictions and his name belongs to the pantheon of the great composers such as the aforementioned.

[@paxwallace8324]

You know Chick was on path you speak of when he turned to Scientology 🤷 I mean before he became the "cartoon matador" for 20yrs.When he had his break down he was in ARC with a young David Holland and Anthony Braxton and Sam Rivers playing very Avant Garde. I think he kinda freaked out internally you know wanting to play a music that was broadly accepted etc. You know Bartok died in poverty and Schoenberg's life was no bed of rose's. Or Cecil Taylor's for that matter.

[@andradas9688]

You are using improvisation as a parameter for greatness to compare composers who had very different intentions. Yes, Chick Corea was a genius improviser, but I'd not try to compare him with Bartok, for instance. Actually, you probably know that 20th century composition goes way beyond Bartok, Prokofiev, Shostakovich. If you include people like Stravinsky, Berg, Webern, Varese, Messiaen, Ligeti, Berio, Boulez, Stockhausen, Birtwistle, Grisey, etc, etc, the list of absolutely great composers goes on. All these names have unique styles, they created music that was original, highly developed, stretching the boundaries of the musical language itself. But basically none of them wanted to improvise. Even Messiaen stopped improvising because he wanted to devote his time writing pieces that have become iconic, such as the Quartet for the End of Time, Turangalila Symphony, and so many more pieces. I love Chick Corea and I think he was unique, a genius musician. But it is impossible to compare all these composers using improvisation as a parameter. In fact, I think Keith Jarrett is the other jazz great that I'd compare with Chick Corea. Keith Jarrett was also a composer-improviser who has devoted most of his life to improvisation. Now, Ligeti and Chick Corea are in very different departments. Like I said, they had very different intentions.

[@shawnbruce6934]

Agreed.

[@JerryT21]

Eddie Gomez is insane player !!!

[@willitorres61]

Eddie es incomparable..!!

[@andrewelwooddrums8512]

The best Chick Corea performance in my opinion, great band with Michael Brecker, Chick Corea, Eddie Gomez and Steve Gadd, Three Quartets, I say it can't get any better.

[@SteveHughesMusicT-hex]

The Best indeed

[@Cybi0]

Four of the best musicians of the 20th century, in perfect symbiosis : pure delight ... ♥

[@shawnbruce6934]

Absolutely.

[@shawnbruce6934]

I Love Chick in all His strays. I will say this He ALWAYS found the Best Musicians. This Video is Proof. Steve..Michael and Eddie..No Words..Just An Incredible time in Music.

[@hirofuminakamura754]

This is one of the most awesome foot print I have ever had in my life.

[@rightchordleadership]

Foot print?

[@racheljones8430]

This is one of the most profound and brilliant works in the history of Jazz, and possibly Chick's most serious work. The incredible level of communication through these 4 Quartets, intended as a single piece, or individually, is absolutely unprecedented, matched only by the Miles quartet. Chick's masterfully Mozartian improvisations, Brecker's explosiveness, Gadd's impeccable creativity, and the lyrical and mysterious beauty of Gomez's solos are otherworldly. It is incredible how the composer (Corea) maintains thematic coherence throughout the entire work until the end with that tremendous tribute to Coltrane. This is a must-see masterpiece in the contemporary Jazz repertoire. If poetry exists in Jazz, this is a perfect example. Odes the compositions, Elegias the transitions, and haikus the incredible solos of each performer

[@thebreathalyzer]

I love that period of Chick Corea's work. The next album was Lyric Suite for Sextet was also fantastic. Chamber music jazz. Three Quartets is one of the most astounding and profound records I've ever heard.

[@deathisaprimitiveconcept]

Bravo!

[@SteveHughesMusicT-hex]

Nothing can beat this in terms of absolute quality of musicianship. You're literally dealing with people of exceptional musical training. plus these are all natural musicians anyway. just amazing.

[@shawnbruce6934]

What A Wonderful Concert. Gadd Is Gadd. Can Play Anything. All Were Stellar.

[@himalayanvoices2158]

The combination of precision, swing, and invention that Gadd plays with is astonishing! They are all great, thanks for the upload!

[@misterioso893]

La meilleur formation reunie par le maestro Chick Corea pendant toute sa longue carrière !

[@timothycroke5307]

Just saw Steve Gadd at the Blue Note with Chick. One of the highlights of my life. Just incredible!!!!

[@rmac1042]

What an AMAZING video! Everyone is just killin’! Eddie’s solo in Quartet 1 was jaw-dropping! All World-Class players!

[@etzenhammer]

One of my favorite albums!

[@birgitbofarull4410]

Play forever in power Maestro Brecker and Corea!

[@kurtisblow311]

R. I.P. Chick corea 🙏😪😔

Material altamente inflamable. Esto es muy muy serio. Esto es historia del Jazz. Un privilegio haber existido al mismo tiempo en el mismo planeta.

[@honeybozo]

Awesome genius at play -thx Chick: Godspeed.

[@milesdavid4358]

Chick Corea and the quartet are truly, 'SMOKIN'!!! Aaaaah....that groove!!! You can feel this music in your soul and through every inch of your body. Michael Brecker.......... what a wonderful artist and that rhythm section is, 'pumpin'!!! Steve Gadd on those drums!!! I just got to continue feeling the groove. Music at it's finest!!!

[@zenithapollostar487]

I love and miss these beautiful souls. I will love and cherish always their music.. ive never heard any of these genius make a mistake.

[@shawnbruce6934]

Mistakes in Jazz Are Allowed. It's Jazz.

[@davemoore4958]

One of my favourite Chick albums brought to life. Impeccable playing all round. Thanks Shogun

[@Whateverfloatsyourgoat12]

Shaking my head listening to this. Genius at work.

[@organjoe]

The studio quartets LP is at the top of favorite jazz albums for me. Finding this video has been a real pleasure - THANKS!!

[@JerryT21]

@2:35 Brecker plays 4 notes and chick right away jumped on it 🤯

[@shawnbruce6934]

That's Music.

[@MabookaMabooka]

But of course

[@szymbl]

The best! RIP Chick -

[@superninja2202]

40:41 you might've came here for this

[@smartjackasswisdom1467]

You're the "Hombre"

[@SteveHughesMusicT-hex]

Gadd's brushwork is insane. So relaxed!

[@shawnbruce6934]

Well. He Is Gadd.

[@SteveHughesMusicT-hex]

Oh really? NO SHIT, You Moron.

[@LibuttiG]

THREE ,FOUR,..........THOUSANDS,..........THANKS

[@KarlLatham]

geeeeeeeeeeezzzzzzzz!!!!!!!!

[@Kobsidian]

Absolutely Fabulous! Thanks so much for posting. The next best thing to Being There!💖

[@tfla10]

Awesome ❗ 👍

[@tapiceriaautomotorjazz]

te vamos a extrañar mucho

[@barkofink]

_The Law of Falling and Catching Up_ Most innovative musician ever lived after J.Coltrane.. Adios.

[@JosueLopez-gn1me]

Álbum memorable! Concierto memorable! Cuarteto memorable!

[@marlonchik]

Четыре гения!

[@yapasdepe]

au revoir ! Maitre ....

[@与太郎-g9f]

神々の集い。

[@willitorres61]

La maxima expresion del jazz en manos de los mas grandes... toda una vida escuchando este album...!!!!

26:42 Chick tuvo que parar por que la olla a presion estaba a punto de explotar.

[@mellotones]

23:43 Part 2

[@vanure]

Not 2003 but 2001..for his birthday(60 years);)

[@amilcarerossi5846]

YOU MAY MAKE AN AUDIO CD FROM THIS VIDEO

[@ernie3k]

23:45