Chick Corea, Airto Moreira & Eddie Gomez Recreate Return to Forever

04/07/2006 08:41PM

New York (New York), USA – Jazz history is always in the making when Chick Corea is around, and fans are in for another great ride when Corea, Airto & Eddie Gomez meet up in Forever Returns, the return of Return to Forever, at the Blue Note, 131 West Third Street in the Village, April 11 – 16 at 8:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. nightly. Tickets: $45.00 at tables/ 35.00 at bar.

Return to Forever, keyboard player Chick Corea's jazz-rock fusion band, was formed in the fall of 1971 while working with Stan Getz. He tapped bandmates Airto Moreira and Stanley Clarke and later rounded out the mix with Joe Farrell and Flora Purim. The band made its debut at the Village Vanguard in 1971. In 1972, they recorded their first self-titled album, Return to Forever, though it didn't appear in the U.S. until 1975.

Corea, Clarke, and Moreira eventually left Getz's band to concentrate on Return to Forever. They toured Japan and recorded another album, Light as a Feather, in London. Return to Forever was more notable for its Latin sound than for fusion; but when Farrell left in the spring of '73, Corea replaced him with rock guitarist Bill Connors. Moreira and Purim also left to form their own group, making way for drummer Steve Gadd and percussionist Mingo Lewis. When it became apparent that Gadd, a successful session musician, wasn't interested in touring, Corea replaced him with Lenny White and Return to Forever turned decisively toward progressive rock & fusion.

In 1974, Connors left the group and was replaced by Earl Klugh and later Al DiMeola. The band recorded more innovative music, toured extensively, reached the Top 40 on the Pop Chart, won a Grammy and continually made waves around the world. Corea signed Return to Forever to Columbia Records and released Romantic Warrior, a concept album on medieval themes. It became the band's third consecutive Top 40 hit and went on to become its biggest seller, eventually earning a gold record. But with its completion, Corea again changed stylistic direction & disbanded the lineup. Corea has re-formed the band with stellar musicians over the years and Return to Forever fans have cherished every chapter. Now, Forever returns to the Blue Note stage to further showcase their ability to make extraordinary music.

For reservations and more information, call (212) 475-8592 or visit bluenotejazz.com.

World Music Central
http://www.worldmusiccentral.org/article.php/20060407204114256