What was Chick Corea's Net Worth?
Chick Corea was an American musician and composer who had a net worth of $5 million at the time of his death. Chick Corea created a number of modern jazz standards, including "Spain," "Windows," and "500 Miles High." He was a member of Miles Davis's band in the late 60s, and in the 70s founded the influential jazz groups Circle and Return to Forever. During his life Chick Corea won 27 Grammy Awards. That tied him with Alison Krauss for having the fourth most wins in Grammy history, behind only Beyonce, Quincy Jones and Georg Solti. Chick Corea died on February 9, 2021 from cancer.
Early Life and Education
Chick Corea, whose real name was Armando Corea, was born on June 12, 1941 in Chelsea, Massachusetts to Armando Sr. and Anna. He was of Italian descent. Corea was introduced to jazz at an early age thanks to his father, who led a Dixieland band in Boston. When he was four, he began playing the piano, and at the age of eight took up the drums. To develop his skills, Corea took lessons from concert pianist Salvatore Sullo; he also spent a number of years as a performer in the drum and bugle corps St. Rose Scarlet Lancers. He played gigs as a teenager, including as part of a trio at a local jazz club. Corea went on to move to New York City, where he attended Columbia University before transferring to the Juilliard School. However, dissatisfied, he dropped out.
Career Beginnings
Corea launched his professional career in the early 60s, recording and touring with such jazz artists as Willie Bobo, Herbie Mann, Stan Getz, and Blue Mitchell. Later in the decade, he released his debut solo album, "Tones for Joan's Bones." That was followed in short order by Corea's acclaimed second album, "Now He Sings, Now He Sobs," featuring acoustic bassist Miroslav Vitouš and drummer Roy Haynes.
Partnership with Miles Davis
Starting in the late 60s, Corea became renowned for his professional partnership with jazz musician Miles Davis. In addition to touring with him, he appeared on several of Davis's most lauded studio albums, including "Filles de Kilimanjaro," "In a Silent Way," "Bitches Brew," and "On the Corner." Corea also made appearances on such live albums as "Black Beauty: Miles Davis at the Fillmore West" and "Miles Davis at Fillmore: Live at the Fillmore East." He remained a member of Davis's band until 1970.
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Circle
With bassist Dave Holland, a fellow member of Miles Davis's band, Corea formed the avant-garde jazz ensemble Circle in the early 70s. The group also included drummer Barry Altschul and multi-instrumentalist Anthony Braxton. During its short run, Circle released some live albums. Corea, Holland, and Altschul also released the album "A.R.C.," although not under the Circle name.
Return to Forever
In 1972, Corea founded the jazz fusion band Return to Forever. The first edition of the band performed mostly Latin-oriented music, and consisted of Flora Purim, Airto Moreira, Stanley Clarke, and Joe Farrell. Return to Forever's eponymous debut album came out in 1972 on ECM Records. The group's second studio album was 1973's "Light as a Feather," which launched one of Corea's most popular songs, "Spain." Return to Forever soon brought on drummer Lenny White and guitarist Bill Connors, and recorded the album "Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy." After Connors was replaced by Al Di Meola, the band recorded the albums "Where Have I Known You Before," "No Mystery," and "Romantic Warrior." The seventh and final studio album by Return to Forever, "Musicmagic," was released in 1977.
Duets
Over the course of his career, Corea embarked on some notable duet projects with other artists. In the 70s, he recorded several duet albums with vibraphonist Gary Burton and did a series of concerts with pianist Herbie Hancock. Early the next decade, Corea performed a live duet with classical pianist Friedrich Gulda. Later in his career, Corea collaborated with banjoist Béla Fleck and pianist Hiromi Uehara on both albums and tours; he also reunited with Hancock for a duet concert series in 2015.
Other Musical Endeavors
Among his other musical projects, Corea led the Chick Corea Elektric Band, later renamed the Akoustic Band. The group released several albums between 1986 and 1994. Corea later established his own record label, Stretch Records. In the late 90s, he ventured into contemporary classical music and composed his first piano concerto, which he performed with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Corea still continued to record jazz fusion albums into the 21st century. He created a new group, the Five Peace Band, with which he began a world tour in late 2008.
Scientology
Having read L. Ron Hubbard's "Dianetics" in 1968, Corea developed an interest in Scientology that grew throughout the early 70s. The movement had a substantial impact on the direction of his music during that time.
Personal Life and Death
With his first wife, Joanie, Corea had two children named Thaddeus and Liana. He had no children with his second wife, musician Gayle Moran.
In February of 2021, Corea passed away from cancer at his home in Tampa Bay, Florida. He was 79 years of age.
Real Estate
In 1997 Chick paid $825,000 for an 8,600 square foot mansion in Largo, Florida, not far from the Scientology offices in Clearwater.
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