Musician. He was a jazz pianist who won 23 Grammy Awards over a career that spanned 6 decades, working alongside notable artiststs such as Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock. Born Armando Anthony Corea, he began piano lessons at age 4, but spurned formal education and dropped out of both Columbia University and the Juilliard School and began his career as a sideman. in the early 1960s, he established himself as an A-list pianist, working with Stan Getz, Herbie Mann, and others. Later in the decade, he joined Miles Davis’ band and played a key role in helping the trumpeter make the transition to a more contemporary sound on albums like 'Bitches Brew.' Following his work with Davis, he formed his own groundbreaking electric band, Return to Forever, which played some of the most vibrant and dynamic music of the fusion era. In the ensuing decades, Corea threw himself into countless projects and by the end of his career, he had recorded close to 90 albums as a bandleader or co-leader and raked in 23 Grammys, including three Latin Grammys. In 2006 he was named a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master, the highest honor available to an American jazz musician.
Musician. He was a jazz pianist who won 23 Grammy Awards over a career that spanned 6 decades, working alongside notable artiststs such as Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock. Born Armando Anthony Corea, he began piano lessons at age 4, but spurned formal education and dropped out of both Columbia University and the Juilliard School and began his career as a sideman. in the early 1960s, he established himself as an A-list pianist, working with Stan Getz, Herbie Mann, and others. Later in the decade, he joined Miles Davis’ band and played a key role in helping the trumpeter make the transition to a more contemporary sound on albums like 'Bitches Brew.' Following his work with Davis, he formed his own groundbreaking electric band, Return to Forever, which played some of the most vibrant and dynamic music of the fusion era. In the ensuing decades, Corea threw himself into countless projects and by the end of his career, he had recorded close to 90 albums as a bandleader or co-leader and raked in 23 Grammys, including three Latin Grammys. In 2006 he was named a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master, the highest honor available to an American jazz musician.
Bio by: Louis du Mort
Advertisement
