They've got twenty Grammys. They're music wizards with a following that absolutely reveres them. (And perhaps best of all, when you switch their names around, they become Bela Corea and Chick Fleck.) They're releasing an album together for the first time— and though the combination of jazz piano and, er... banjo, may not seem like a natural, it's getting rave reviews. The Enchantment is released today, and we'll be talking with Chick and Bela, as well as, blessedly, listening to them play music from the album. Post your comments and questions here!
Blog Of The Nation
We are fortunate that Chick and Bela are making a stop here in SLC, and we got tickets the day they went on sale. I've found that the best musical performances are done by exploring the possibilities instead of staying on the path. Seeing them in person will be a show to remember.
What a wonderful show!
Comment for Bela: Our daughter introduced us to your music years ago when she attended Bryn Mawr and saw you and the Flecktones in concert.
My husband took up banjo lessons a few years ago in his fifties because he loved your music so much. He teaches high school art and plays your CDs during the studio sessions. He allows students to select CDs to play. Once exposed to your music, they opt for it more often than not. He also plays his banjo when he has hall monitoring duty. Many who'd never heard or paid attention to banjo are now fans having listened your CDs and his practice sessions.
I know we will now become fans of Chick as well. Thanks for introducing your fans to so many talented musicians!
In his memoir, Dmitri Shostakovitch talks about how Josef Stalin commissioned nationalist symphonic works to represent each of the Soviet republics -- a Khazak symphony. an Azerbaijan symphony, a Belarus symphony, etc. But the trouble was that they were generic, formulaic compositions with no real folk content.
Some of Chick Corea's duo projects follow a similar forumula: the Latin tinge, a two-chord vamp for blowing, and a Spanish title, be it La Fiesta, Captain Senor Mouse, or in this case, Senorita.
The most remarkable thing about this duo is that the banjo player can read. Dang, if I'd only taken up the banjo I might have had a career.
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