Chick Corea - Chick Corea: The Montreux Years (Live) (2022) [Hi-Res]

This important live recording from 1981 features the great pianist with a stunning group: Joe Henderson on tenor saxophone, Gary Peacock on bass, and Roy Haynes on drums. Haynes worked with Corea on many prior occasions, and Henderson was about to collaborate with him on the Griffith Park albums of the early ’80s, but this is the first time the three appear together. Peacock’s presence is an additional delight. The probing bassist contributes the multi-layered, magnificent “Up, Up and….”

Three of Corea’s compositions here — “Hairy Canary,” “Folk Song,” and “Slippery When Wet” — would later wind up as bonus tracks on Stretch’s 1994 reissue of the 1981 CD Three Quartets. In addition, there are valuable renditions of two dense and challenging Corea tunes, “Psalm” and “Quintet #2,” along with two standards: Thelonious Monk’s “Trinkle, Tinkle” and Cole Porter’s “So in Love.” The latter culminates in a four-minute Haynes drum solo.

"Overall, the record is essential for fans of any and all of the four musicians involved." (AllMusic)

The Montreux Jazz Festival takes place for two weeks every summer in Switzerland, on the shores of Lake Geneva. Created in 1967 by Claude Nobs, the Montreux Jazz Festival has become over the years an essential event, generating fantastic stories and legendary performances. In its 50 year plus history, Montreux has hosted iconic performances by artists including Nina Simone, Miles Davis, Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Marvin Gaye, Prince, Leonard Cohen, David Bowie, Elton John and Stevie Wonder.

Chick Corea, piano
Joe Henderson, tenor saxophone
Gary Peacock, double bass
Roy Haynes, drums

Digitally remastered