SpainChick Corea1rank/position

Spain (Spain) Chick Corea (Chick Corea) Hiroyuki Tsutsui (gt) × Yuka Yanagihara (pf)

This piece is striking for its dramatic structure, shifting from the graceful melody of Joaquín Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez to a passionate Latin rhythm.

Led by Chick Corea, the band Return to Forever released it on the 1972 album Light as a Feather.

In Japan, it has been used as a news program theme and in commercials, and is widely loved as an instrumental tune.

Performed on piano and guitar, it would become a thrilling session where wistfulness and passion intertwine.

Morning SpriteChick Corea2rank/position

Morning Sprite

One of the classic tracks often recommended to jazz beginners is Chick Corea’s “Spain,” but he created many other masterpieces as well.

Among them, this acoustic trio performance of “Morning Sprite” might make you think, “So this kind of jazz exists too!” It’s a track where you can savor the refreshing melody, distinctive phrases, and the members’ superb technique.

nite spriteChick Corea3rank/position

Chick Corea “Nite Sprite” The Leprechaun (1976)

A piece crafted with virtuosic technique by pianist Chick Corea together with Steve Gadd.

Its relentless repeated notes and fast, intricate hits captivated many fusion fans.

It’s only a few minutes long, but it’s a track that reveals just how formidable their abilities are.

King CockroachChick Corea4rank/position

Chick Corea Electric Band(trio) – King Cock Roach

While Chick Corea is known for fiercely technical playing in Return to Forever, in this project he delivers a much more relaxed arrangement that goes down smoothly.

That said, even though it sounds effortless, the sharpness of the rhythm is something else.

SpainChick Corea5rank/position

Spain

Composer Chick Corea, who gained popularity for his contemporary musical style blending classical and jazz.

Calling it “classical” might raise some questions, but his piece Spain is definitely one I’d recommend to anyone aiming for an advanced level.

The real challenge of this piece lies, above all, in its sense of rhythm and the agility of the fingers.

As is common in jazz-influenced works, it features many rapid, keyboard-spanning runs and rhythmically tricky phrases.

If you’re an advanced player looking to level up even further, be sure to give it a try!

SpainChick Corea & Return to Forever6rank/position

Spain (Alto Saxophone Solo) WMS-15-006

Composed by Chick Corea in 1972 and included on his band Return to Forever’s album, this piece remains hugely popular among jazz musicians today.

Not only instrumentalists but many vocalists also perform it with added lyrics.

Its driving feel suits the saxophone particularly well, and with so many saxophonists having recorded it, it’s fun to compare different versions.

It’s also interesting that the second movement of the Concierto de Aranjuez is used as the introduction.

I Hear A RhapsodyChick Corea7rank/position

Chick Corea Akoustic Band – I Hear A Rhapsody

Recorded on Trio Music Live in Europe (1984).

They deliver an airtight performance.

Many people probably see Chick Corea as a musician with an intellectual, hard-edged musical sensibility.

For those who don’t listen to much jazz, the live performance might come across as a bit inaccessible.