Rendezvous in New York (Strecht Music)
Chick Corea
Released April 2003
Grammy Nominee for Best Jazz Instrumental Album 2004
YouTube:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lZXf_QuBs-Gw2_o9fDvaoofh7HuhqYxWw
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/album/2CGHnDwtTgjIQTMlbpgJu6?si=Ah9Yf0YrRamcbHuzwHLP6A
About:
In celebration of his 60th birthday, legendary jazz pianist/composer Chick Corea arranged a Rendezvous in New York, bringing together world-renowned musicians from his groundbreaking past and his present ensembles in a musical reunion of unprecedented proportions. Captured here, with stunning sound quality, are choice highlights from this once-in-a-lifetime musical gathering, recorded over three incredible weeks at the famed Blue Note jazz club in New York City. Reuniting and recording the different incarnations of his amazing ensembles with configurations ranging from intimate duos to telepathic trios to powerful large ensembles may well be one of the restless innovator’s most exciting recording projects to date.
Track Listing:
1. Armando’s Rhumba (Chick Corea) feat. Bobby McFerrin 04:58
2. Blue Monk (Thelonious Monk) feat. Bobby McFerrin 05:34
3. Concierto de Aranjuez/Spain (Chick Corea / Joaquín Rodrigo) feat. Bobby McFerrin 08:14
4. Matrix (Chick Corea) 10:47
Chick Corea, Grammy Award Best Jazz Instrumental Solo 2004
5. Glass Enclosure/Tempus Fugit (Bud Powell) 16:10
6. Crystal Silence (Chick Corea / Neville Potter) feat. Gary Burton 10:01
7. Bessie’s Blues (John Coltrane) feat. Chick Corea’s Akoustic Band 08:37
8. Autumn Leaves (Joseph Kosma / Johnny Mercer / Jacques Prévert) feat. Chick Corea’s Akoustic Band 11:35
9. Armando’s Tango (Chick Corea) 12:10
10. Concierto de Aranjuez/Spain (Chick Corea / Joaquín Rodrigo) feat. Gonzalo Rubalcaba 13:25
11. Lifeline (Chick Corea) 12:02
12. Quartet No. 2, Pt. 1 (Chick Corea) 11:42
Personnel:
Chick Corea: piano
Bobby McFerrin: vocals (1-3)
Miroslav Vitous: bass (4)
Roy Haynes: drums (4, 5)
Christian McBride: bass (5)
Joshua Redman: tenor saxophone (5)
Terence Blanchard: trumpet (5)
Gary Burton: vibraphone (6)
John Patitucci: bass (7, 8)
Dave Weckl: drums (7, 8)
Steve Wilson: alto saxophone (9)
Avishai Cohen: bass (9, 11)
Jeff Ballard: drums (9, 11)
Tim Garland: tenor saxophone (9)
Steve Davis: trombone (9)
Michael Brecker: tenor saxophone (12)
Eddie Gomez: bass (12)
Gonzalo Rubalcaba: piano (10) Steve Gadd: drums (12)
Recorded December 2011, at The Blue Note Jazz Club, New York
Produced by Chick Corea
Audio Producer: Herbert Waltl
Recorded by Clark Germain
Mixed by Bernie Kirsh
DSD Engineer / Assistant Engineer: Ted White
Mastered by Graemme Brown
Art Direction: Abbey Anna
Cover Graphics: Michael Manoogian
Photography by C. Taylor Crothers
Executive Producers: Jon Shapiro & Peter Shapiro
Review:
If there was one place
in the jazz world to be in December 2001, it was at the Blue Note in New York,
where in a three-week long celebration of his 60th birthday, pianist Chick
Corea performed in multiple configurations with vocalist extraordinaire Bobby
McFerrin, vibraphone legend Gary Burton, drummer Roy Haynes and many other
world-class musicians. The extraordinary music that resulted was recorded on
some 60 hours of tape, from which Mr. Corea chose 12 performances now released
as Rendezvous in New
York, a two-CD set. For those who were not at the Blue Note,
take heart. This recording is not just the next best thing – it is Corea’s
distillation of the best of a series of very good performances.
As such, Rendevous
in New York looks back at Chick Corea’s career and marks the
point of departure for his future endeavors. Historical context aside, the
music here stands on its own formidable merits. The mood of the recording
ranges from quiet and contemplative to fiery and energetic, and the album
begins with a musical joke that I won’t reveal here. Throughout, the joy, frank
spirituality, and eloquence that have always graced Chick Corea’s playing are
front and center. It is pretty clear that Mr. Corea’s collaborators viewed the
opportunity to play with him as an extraordinary opportunity, and all are at or
near their best. Of the 12 selections on this album, nine are standouts. Among
other treats, there are contrasting takes of the classic “Concierto de
Aranjuez/Spain,” one with Bobby McFerrin and the other with Cuban born pianist
Gonzalo Rubalcaba, very different in mood, both beautiful.
Those new to Chick Corea’s music will find this album a very sound starting point for exploring his enormous discography. However, Rendezvous in New York, true to its name, does not contain a solo performance by Corea. As a complement to performances by this great artist in units from duos to sextets, an appropriate solo piece would have been a worthy addition. That said, because Mr. Corea brought out the best in his collaborators, the appeal of this recording goes well beyond piano jazz aficionados. Rendezvous in New York may have been Chick Corea’s birthday party, but the gifts were for us.
Steve Robinson (All About Jazz)
