In his 40-year career, pianist, composer and bandleader Armando Anthony 'Chick' Corea has made so many records in as many styles,that it is hard to sketch his career briefly. Corea made his debutin the early sixties in Mongo Santemaria's and Willie Bobo's Latinbands. Joining trumpet player Blue Mitchell's group in '64 led tohis switch to jazz. His own first record came out in '66: Tones for Joans's Bones, asuccessful, hardbop-inspired exercise. Two years later Corea joinedMiles Davis' group to explore the possibilities of a fusion betweenjazz and rock. That event put his name on the jazz map permanently.In 1970 he devoted himself to playing free jazz in his groupCircle. Latin, bop, fusion and free jazz remained the styles Coreawould continue to play alternately or simultaneously over the nextthirty years.
