Return to Forever - Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

4/25/15, 4:45 PMReturn to Forever - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Page 1 of 5http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Return_to_Forever

Return to Forever

Return to Forever in Rochester, New York, 1976Background information

Also known as Chick CoreaOrigin New York City, United StatesGenres Jazz fusionYears active 19721977, 1983, 2008, 2010

presentLabels ECM, Columbia, PolydorWebsite www.return2forever.com

(http://www.return2forever.com)

Members Chick CoreaStanley ClarkeLenny WhiteFrank GambaleJean-Luc Ponty

Past members Joe FarrellAirto MoreiraFlora PurimBill ConnorsSteve GaddMingo LewisEarl KlughAl Di MeolaGerry BrownHarold GarrettGayle MoranJames E. PughJohn ThomasJames TinsleyRon Moss

Return to ForeverFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Return to Forever is a jazz fusion group founded and led by pianist Chick Corea. Through itsexistence, the band has cycled through a number of different members, with the only consistent bandmate of Corea's being bassist Stanley Clarke. Along with Weather Report and Mahavishnu Orchestra,Return to Forever is often cited as one of the core groups of the jazz-fusion movement of the 1970s.Several musicians, including Clarke, Flora Purim, Airto Moreira and Al Di Meola, first came toprominence through their performances on Return to Forever's albums.

After playing on Miles Davis's groundbreaking jazz-fusion albums In a Silent Way and Bitches Brew,Corea formed an avant-garde jazz band called Circle with Dave Holland, Anthony Braxton and BarryAltschul. However in 1972, after having become a member of Scientology, Corea decided that hewanted to better "communicate" with the audience. This essentially translated into his performing amore popularly accessible style of music, since avant-garde jazz enjoyed a relatively small audience.

Contents1 First group (19721973)2 Jazz rock era (19731976)3 Final album (1977)4 Reunion (2008)5 2011 tour6 Discography

6.1 Studio albums6.2 Live releases6.3 Collections

7 Personnel7.1 Lineups7.2 Timeline

8 References9 External links

First group (19721973)The first edition of Return to Forever performed primarily Latin-oriented music. This initial bandconsisted of singer (and occasional percussionist) Flora Purim, her husband Airto Moreira (bothBrazilians) on drums and percussion, Corea's longtime musical co-worker Joe Farrell on saxophone andflute, and the young Stanley Clarke on bass. Within this first line-up in particular, Clarke played acousticdouble bass in addition to electric bass. Corea's electric piano formed the basis of this group's sound.Corea was yet to discover synthesizers, his trademark sound in the group's later years. Clarke and Farrellwere given ample solo space themselves. While Purim's vocals lent some commercial appeal to themusic, many of their compositions were also instrumental and somewhat experimental in nature. Themusic was composed by Corea with the exception of the title track of the second album which waswritten by Stanley Clarke. Lyrics were often written by Corea's friend Neville Potter, and were quiteoften scientology themed- though this is not readily apparent to those not involved in Scientology itself. Clarke himself became involved in Scientologythrough Corea, but eventually left the religion in the early 1980s.

Their first album, titled simply Return to Forever, was recorded for ECM Records in 1972 and was initially released only in Europe. This album featuredCorea's now famous compositions Crystal Silence and La Fiesta. Shortly afterwards, Corea, Airto, Clarke and Tony Williams formed the band for StanGetz's album Captain Marvel (1972), which featured Corea's compositions- including some from the first and second Return to Forever albums. Theirsecond album, Light as a Feather (1972), was released by Polydor and included the song, Spain, which also became quite well known.

Jazz rock era (19731976)After the second album, Farrell, Purim and Moreira left the group to form their own band, and guitarist Bill Connors, drummer Steve Gadd andpercussionist Mingo Lewis were added. However, Gadd was unwilling to tour with the band and risk his job as an in-demand session drummer. LennyWhite (who had played with Corea in Miles Davis's band) replaced Gadd and Lewis on drums and percussion, and the group's third album, Hymn of theSeventh Galaxy (1973), was then rerecorded (the first recording, featuring Gadd on drums, was never released and has since disappeared).

Nicolau Kawaneke

Nicolau Kawaneke

Nicolau Kawaneke

Nicolau Kawaneke

Nicolau Kawaneke

Nicolau Kawaneke

Nicolau Kawaneke



L to R: Stanley Clarke, Al Di Meola, ChickCorea, (Drummer Lenny White not visible).Return to Forever performing in 1974 atOnondaga Community College in Syracuse,New York.

The nature of the group's music had by now completely changed into jazz-rock, and had evolved into a similar vein as to that the Mahavishnu Orchestra,Weather Report, and some progressive rock bands were also performing at the time. Their music was still relatively melodic, relying on strong themes, butthe traditional jazz element was by this time almost entirely absent- replaced by a more direct, rock oriented approach. Over-driven, distorted guitar hadalso become prominent in the band's new sound, and Clarke had by then switched almost completely to electric bass guitar. A replacement on vocals wasnot hired, and all the songs were now instrumentals. This change did not lead to a decrease in the band'scommercial fortunes however, Return to Forever's jazz rock albums instead found their way onto US popalbum charts.

In the Sept. 1988 "Down Beat Magazine" interview with Chick Corea by Josef Woodward, Josef says (page19), "There is this general view ... that ... Miles [Davis] crystallized electric jazz fusion and that he sent hisemissaries out." Chick responds, "Nah, that's Disneyland. Miles is definitely a leader ... But there were otherthings that occurred that I thought were equally as important. What John McLaughlin did with the electricguitar set the world on its ear. No one ever heard an electric guitar played like that before, and it certainlyinspired me. ... John's band, more than my experience with Miles, led me to want to turn the volume up andwrite music that was more dramatic and made your hair move."http://www.cs.cf.ac.uk/Dave/mclaughlin/art/sheppard.html

While their second jazz rock album, Where Have I Known You Before, (1974) was similar in style to itsimmediate predecessor, Corea now played synthesizers in addition to electric keyboards (including piano),and Clarke's playing had evolved considerably- now using flange and fuzz-tone effects, and with his nowsignature style beginning to emerge. After Bill Connors left the band to concentrate on his solo career, thegroup also hired new guitarists. Although Earl Klugh played guitar for some of the group's liveperformances, he was soon replaced by the then 19-year-old guitar prodigy Al Di Meola, who had also played on the album recording sessions.

Their following album, No Mystery (1975), was recorded with the same line-up as "Where Have I Known You Before", but the style of music had becomemore varied. The first side of the record consisted primarily of jazz-funk, while the second side featured Corea's acoustic title track and a long compositionwith a strong Spanish influence. On this and the following album, each member of the group composed at least one of the tracks. No Mystery went on towin the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance by a Group.

The final album by this longest-lasting "classic" lineup of the group was Romantic Warrior (1976), which had by this time left Polydor for ColumbiaRecords. This album would go on to become the best selling of all Return to Forever's efforts, eventually reaching gold disc status. "Romantic Warrior"continued their experiments in the realms of jazz-rock and related musical genres, and was lauded by critics for both the technically demanding style of itscompositions as well as for its accomplished musicianship.

After the release of Romantic Warrior and Return To Forever's subsequent tour in support (as well as having in addition signed a multi-million dollarcontract with CBS), Corea shocked Clarke by deciding to change the lineup of the group and to not include either White or Di Meola.[1]

In 1983 this lineup did, in fact, return briefly to the stage, but did not record a new album, and rather recorded only one track that was issued on Corea'sTouchstone album entitled "Compadres".

Final album (1977)The final incarnation of Return to Forever featured a four piece horn section and Corea's wife Gayle singing vocals, but recorded only one studio album,Musicmagic (1977).

In 1978, after issuing a live album of the tour for this album (a four-disc set), Return to Forever Live-the Complete Concert, Chick Corea officiallydisbanded the group.[2]

Reunion (2008)The classic Return to Forever line-up of Corea, Clarke, White, and Di Meola reunited for a tour of the United States that began in the summer of 2008. Aspecial Return to Forever anthology box-set, featuring remixed and digitally remastered tracks from the albums Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy, Where Have IKnown You Before, No Mystery, and Romantic Warrior, was released to coincide with the tour.[3] To date, no new material from the group has beenannounced.[4]

2011 tourFrom February 2011, the group commenced a world tour in Australia. Many dates on the nearly year-long tour included Dweezil Zappa's Zappa PlaysZappa band as an opening act with Corea occasionally appearing in Zappa's band guesting on keyboards for a song or two, as well as Jean-Luc Pontyperforming some of the songs that he originally performed with Frank Zappa.[5]

DiscographyStudio albums



Return to Forever (1972, ECM)Light as a Feather (1972, Polydor)Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy (1973, Polydor)Where Have I Known You Before (1974, Polydor)No Mystery (1975, Polydor)Romantic Warrior (1976, Columbia)Musicmagic (1977, Columbia)

As Corea, Clarke & White

Forever (2011, Concord Records)

Live releasesReturn to Forever, Live (1977 Columbia) / ...Live: The Complete Concert 4 Record Set (1978, Columbia)Returns (2009, Eagle (Fontana))The Mothership Returns (2012, Eagle (Fontana))

Collections

The Best of Return to Forever (1980) Sony (Columbia)Return to the Seventh Galaxy: The Anthology (1996, Verve (Polydor))This Is Jazz, Vol. 12 (1996, Sony (Columbia))Return to Forever: The Anthology (2008, Concord)Return to Forever: The Complete Columbia Albums Collection (2011, Sony)

PersonnelCurrent lineup

Chick Corea - keyboards (1972-1977, 1983, 2008, 2010-present)Stanley Clarke - bass (1972-1977, 1983, 2008, 2010-present)Lenny White - drums (1973-1976, 1983, 2008, 2010-present)Frank Gambale - guitar (2010-present)Jean-Luc Ponty - violin (2010-present)

Former members

Joe Farrell - saxophone (1972-1973, 1977; died 1986)Airto Moreira - percussion (1972-1973)Flora Purim - vocals (1972-1973)Bill Connors - guitar (1973-1974)Steve Gadd - drums (1973)Mingo Lewis - percussion (1973)Earl Klugh - guitar (1974)Al Di Meola - guitar (1974-1976, 1983, 2008)

Gerry Brown - drums (1977)Harold Garrett - trombone (1977)Gayle Moran - vocals, keyboards (1977)James E. Pugh - trombone (1977)John Thomas - trumpet (1977)James Tinsley - trumpet (1977)Ron Moss - trombone (1977)

Lineups

19721973 1973 1973-1974 1974

Chick Corea keyboardsStanley Clarke double bassJoe Farrell saxophoneAirto Moreira percussionFlora Purim vocals

Chick Corea keyboardsStanley Clarke bassBill Connors guitarSteve Gadd drumsMingo Lewis percussion

Chick Corea keyboardsStanley Clarke bassBill Connors guitarLenny White drums

Chick Corea keyboardsStanley Clarke bassLenny White drumsEarl Klugh guitar



19741977 1977 1977 19771983

Chick Corea keyboardsStanley Clarke bassLenny White drumsAl Di Meola guitar

Chick Corea keyboardsStanley Clarke bassGerry Brown drumsJoe Farrell saxophoneHarold Garrett tromboneGayle Moran vocals,keyboardsJames E. Pugh tromboneJohn Thomas trumpetJames Tinsley trumpet

Chick Corea keyboardsStanley Clarke bassGerry Brown drumsJoe Farrell saxophoneHarold Garrett tromboneGayle Moran vocals,keyboardsJames E. Pugh tromboneJohn Thomas trumpetJames Tinsley trumpetRon Moss trombone

Disbanded

1983 19832008 2008 2008-2010

Chick Corea keyboardsStanley Clarke bassAl Di Meola guitarLenny White drums

Disbanded Chick Corea keyboardsStanley Clarke bassAl Di Meola guitarLenny White drums

Disbanded

2010-present

Chick Corea keyboardsStanley Clarke bassLenny White drumsFrank Gambale guitarJean-Luc Ponty violin

Timeline

References1. Chick Corea left the group Return to Forever because of Scientology (http://www.religio.de/publik/arsreview/150996.html)



Wikimedia Commons hasmedia related to Return toForever.

2. Jazz Rock - A History, Stuart Nicholson, Schirmer Books, N.Y., 1998, p.3753. Return to Forever reunites for 2008 trek (http://www.livedaily.com/news/13376.html)4. Jim, Abbott. "Concert review: Return to Forever IV at House of Blues" (http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_music_blog/2011/09/concert-review-return-to-

forever-iv-at-house-of-blues.html). Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved September 15, 2011.5. "Return To Forever World Tour To Kick Off In Feb" (http://www.voxy.co.nz/entertainment/return-forever-world-tour-kick-feb/5/71799). Voxy.co.nz. November 14, 2010.

Retrieved 2011-07-06.

External linksReturn to Forever (https://musicbrainz.org/artist/5f8cce81-1ff5-4cca-9c6e-8d3c58dc0c36) discography atMusicBrainz"In Conversation with Chick Corea" (http://www.jazz.com/features-and-interviews/2008/5/30/in-conversation-with-chick-corea) by Patrick Spurling, (Jazz.com (http://www.jazz.com))"Return to Forever: Twelve Historic Tracks" (http://www.jazz.com/dozens/the-dozens-return-to-forever) by Walter Kolosky, (Jazz.com(http://www.jazz.com))Live 2011 Pescara (http://www.gianlucascerni.it/gallery/v/concerti/return2forever4/)

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Return_to_Forever&oldid=648698605"

Categories: American jazz ensembles Jazz fusion ensembles Musical groups from New York Grammy Award-winning artists ECM Records artistsPolydor Records artists Columbia Records artists

This page was last modified on 24 February 2015, at 22:45.Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Termsof Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.

Documents

Return to Forever - Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia