Mr. Chick Corea

In the summer of 1972 at the 4th Nemu Jazz Inn festival when I was 3rd year junior high school student, I came to Mr. Chick Corea’s live performance taken by my father. I’ve been his fan ever since.
Nemu Jazz Inn festival is an outdoor jazz festival held every summer in Nemunosato on the Osaki Peninsula, Shima, Mie Prefecture. Actually, a serious typhoon directly hit there but the event was held in heavy rain and storms. The first tune by him was piano solo “Noon Song”. It feels like the typhoon has disappeared and the circumstance has completely changed by his lyrical play. There was a pond in front of the stage and so many frogs appeared while he was playing, and sang a big chorus. The festival staff suggested spraying pesticides to the pond but Chick proposed a chase with the frogs and he improvised a tune "Rain and Frogs". That was like a call and response between his piano and the frogs' chorus. What a free and inclusive music jazz is!
I was deeply impressed by all of his music, attitude, and personality.

In 1980 and 1983, I had opportunities to perform with him in the Jazz festival "Live Under the Sky". I joined the stage of the jam session with his piano. Moreover, I had a recording with him in 1983! It was the time that my dream came true! So, I named the album "Dream" (My leader album with his excellent trio! Piano: Chick Corea, Bass: Miroslav Vitous, Drum: Roy Haynes).




Since then, when he came to Japan, I met him many times and went to his gigs. At one time, he requested me to bring my saxophone and join encores in his gigs. Actually, I really felt tense. haha!



At one time, he came to my gig at the jazz club "Swing" in Ginza. I appreciate it!



In 1986, we were able to have a performance together again on "Tokyo Music Joy". The pic is at the backstage.

Mr. Chick Corea, your music has always been a goal for me. Your music is always a source of my inspiration.

I'm really grateful to you and your music.

May his soul rest in peace.







Toshiyuki Honda