I was 14 years old. I had just joined my mother's band, “The Roberts Connection” and was freshly a new member of the San Diego Musician's Union, local 325. I can't tell you how proud I was, and my mother was as well.
The 2 other band members were Jerry Olsher and Randy Myers. These 2 guys single handedly sent me in a much more sophisticated direction musically. They turned me on to what was happening in the current state of modern jazz music. Fusion music.
We would be riding to our gigs in Jerry's van with the equipment in the back. I would be riding in the center between the driver's and passenger's seat. They started playing albums like Billy Cobham's “Spectrum” which COMPLETELY blew my mind. And that was the first exposure I had to the great Lee Sklar's bass playing. Funny how he really lit it up on simple pop records such as James Taylor's JT album.
But hearing “Quadrant 4”, the opening cut on Spectrum, driving up highway 5 to some of my first gigs with the band, heading to Camp Pendleton to play for the marines, I'll never forget those days. Just look back in your own life and remember those times you heard things that changed your life. I still pinch myself when I meet people who told me the music we've made in Chicago has been that soundtrack to them.
So we'd be driving to our gigs and these guys said, “You have to check this out. Chick Corea and specifically Stanley Clarke”, (the bass player in Return to Forever), and they put on an album that was definitely ground zero for the direction I'd take as a bass player. Stanley was really the first guy I heard plucking strings and thumping as a bass player.
I mentioned it to my dad who told me the father of that style was Larry Graham which I quickly bought “A Funky Thide Of Sings” by Graham Central Station which was the ultimate lesson in thump/funk bass playing. I still to this day hear that influence whenever I play like that. Larry and even more so Verdine White.
But Stanley was the first guy. And the song the I immediately gravitated toward was “Sorceress”.
I can close my eyes and remember the feeling of driving up the “5” listening to this music at warp levels loud volume. I ended up going off into Weather Report and Jaco right after this and frankly, kind of abandoned Return To Forever once I found Jaco. Although their styles couldn't be more different.
The reason I write this today is we lost Chick earlier this week. He was 79 years old and he was one of the modern day Mozart genius talents. I never met him although I've been in a band with one of his drummers along the way, in fact, I believe the guy who came in right after the “Return To Forever” configuration. Tom Brechtlein. As I've said to Tom many times before, the level of listening Tom demonstrates is otherworldly. From the first note you play you can tell this guy is so zeroed in to where you are you immediately feel that sense of support and you're off to the party. I know he learned a lot of that from Chick.
I heard in the last week that Chick was the kind of musician that if you were playing with him and you made a mistake he would immediately turn it into a motif as if to not only let you know he was listening that intently but sending a message that, “You didn't make a mistake… we TURN it into something”.
Wow, what a great metaphor for life.
So it's been a very somber week for those of us who came up in the 70s being exposed to that newest of musical experimentation. The jazz fusion movement. It was so exciting. In fact, if any of you are reading this and lived through that I'd love to hear your experiences. Please comment below on what it meant to you.
Another giant has moved on to that incredible ultra band in the sky. Chick, thank you so much for what you gave us.
Chick Corea – June 12, 1941 – February 9, 2021
Thank you for sharing this meaningful memory. It give us a glimpse into your heart and how much people have influenced your life. I appreciate this very much.
What an interesting and great share! My “return to forever” moment occurred growing up listening to my sisters’ 45’s & LP’s. They graduated high school in the 50’s, me in 1978. I started working in TV & Radio after college. I was at an oldies format radio station and the on air talent was always amazed that I was familiar with the artist and song playing on air when in the studio. I could even recall the label the artists were signed with. My sisters would take me to concerts as a kid from Lawrence Welk to Elvis! And yes, I was fortunate to see Elvis perform live in 1972 with your dad, Jerry Scheff on bass!! I was 11 years old. My sisters gave me an incredible exposure to all sorts of music growing up!!!
Thank you for sharing! You also have been a great influence on many lives. Nice to see your influences live on through you to us. You both are a gift.
They can all rest easy now one of the best stage managers,sound check and lighting guys has joined them. Mike “Undertaker” Vitone, joined them on Dec.9 2020. He helped with Beginings and was a friend of Danny many years. Once I turned on his computer I found in perfect order, virgo that he was a treasure trove of music. He was my music man. He always knew the name of the song that was suck in my head. I will always miss him.
He was my love 43 years. But he’s up there now helping with song lists and roaming the crowd to make sure it sounds good all over that big heavenly club. RIP. Cathe
There is no doubt that Chick was a major influence in modern music. His impact in fusion was profound, and he also created and performed some amazing acoustic jazz. He was universally respected and loved. I was blessed to hear him speak at a class I was taking in college. Very humble and laidback. I also attended a Return To Forever concert featuring the classic lineup of Chick, Stanley, Lenny and Al, a highlight in my memories of live music. As time passes, the great ones are being lost to us, but we still have their music, a testament to their talents and their gift to us.
i remember you turning me onto all those great records too. Al Demiola , stanley, larry etc… me being a drummer, of course Billy Cobjam stood out for me.
quadrant 4 tells me everything i need to know about “hot for teacher” alex van halen.
I got heavily into Chick Corea in high school. However it was his two acoustic band albums, with Dave Weckl and John Patitucci. Those albums blew me away. All three of them were just amazing, and those albums were my introduction to the three of them.. I was so excited about it I would try to turn my friends on to it, who weren’t into jazz at all. When I say I was heavily into Chick Corea, I was only into his acoustic band, but I listened to it over and over and over in the car. I didn’t even know he had a 70s fusion history. In fact, I’m ashamed to admit I have never listened to any return to forever. I guess I had better get on that, I loved Stanley Clarke‘s live album, so maybe I would like return to forever.
Started playing bass circa 1974-75. My 2 earliest influences were Stanley and Jaco. Then came Peter and you. Chick and Herbie were creative musical geniuses. I was very big into fusion and still am. Heard Chick passed and did not know he was ill. RIP Chick.
Sorry Jason.
What a great experience you had as a child and then an adult. You got to know and play with so many greats. I was just a young girl in the 70s and became a fan of yours just a couple of years ago. I appreciate your personal touches to the club and read with most interest all of your experiences. Thanks for sharing.
Always so uplifting reading your blogs. The stories are great and filled with sincerity and heart. The new music is so together and your voice is still the standard of what a voice should beContinued success and warmest wishes alwsys
Hi Jason
Really love your music, your voice, love reading your blog.
Pls take care and your family too
Dont understand why am here, this is not my era actually, i was born 1979 but look at me,
Am hooked. While writing this am listening to your 2021 new year live
God bless and love you
Well here I go! Jazz was my life’s music growing up. Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Count Basie being some of my pa’s faves. The Beatles intervened with Black Sabbath and Pink Floyd following. Chicago blew in too! (Always in my being.) Soul and funk, in the clubs, danced through and then the wonderful Le Chic with talented and glorious producer/lead guitar and everything, Nile Rodgers. Fab guy. Many moons later the music still resonates. It’s where the beat is! Bring it on.