Review: Chick Corea "Come Rain or Shine"

          From the first song of this EP released in June 2012, Chick Corea’s Come Rain or Shine swings right in with a bellowing female voice that ushers one to the dream state that is unique to jazz. This voice contrasts well with the wandering of Corea’s piano in the back. This piece is followed by a display of piano virtuosity in Corea’s “Fiesta Piano Solo.” A tinge of classical seeps into the piece until a crash of syncopation brings the listener jarringly back to the realization that yes, this is a jazz piece and yes, one does not know where it will lead to. The next piece, “Sea Breeze” brings in the rest of the band. The xylophone, snare drums, cymbals, and brass fill out Corea’s superb piano playing.  At the end of the EP is I Ain’t Mad at You, a celebration of the history of jazz. Beginning with a soft interplay of xylophones and the black keys of the piano, the piece starts out with a New York swing style beat before the sudden appearance of a raspy vocalization that draws influences from Southern blues and soul. Trumpets emerge to the top to finish off the medley in a New Orleans style fashion.

            Chick Corea, born as Armando Corea, grew up in the Boston area with a jazz trumpet player as his father. Early influences on Corea’s love for jazz music include Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, and Bud Powell. However, it wasn’t until Corea began taking classical piano lessons from concert pianist Salvatore Sullo that Corea became interested in musical composition. Throughout his career, the classical influence on his compositions is easily noticeable, and this early classical training contributes largely to Corea’s virtuosity on the keys. However, Corea is proabably most know for his role as the pianist in Miles Davis’ band in the 60’s. While working with Davis, Corea established himself as a nationally acclaimed jazz pianist and a contributor to the electric jazz movement.