Chick Corea & Gary Burton: Tiny Desk Concert

June 13, 2016 by SURAYA MOHAMED • Sometimes big-name artists need special attention. But in this case, it wasn't because they've been jazz pioneers and innovators since the 1960s and are considered to be founding fathers of jazz fusion, not to mention two of the most important jazz figures performing today. It's not because they've collectively recorded more than 100 albums and won 29 Grammy Awards. The agitation was because both of their instruments couldn't fit behind Bob Boilen's Tiny Desk.

There were logistical hurdles to overcome before the jazz giants' arrival. We had to move the desk to make a bigger "stage." Piano movers hauled the 900-pound Yamaha C7 grand piano from our first-floor performance studio up the freight elevator to the fourth-floor Tiny Desk area. But weeks of meticulous measuring and planning paid off when the rented vibes were delivered and just fit alongside the piano.

Gary Burton and Chick Corea were in town for the 2016 NEA Jazz Masters Concert. The NEA Jazz Masters fellowship is the highest honor our nation bestows on jazz artists. Each year, the program honors a select few living legends who have made exceptional contributions to the advancement of jazz. Burton was a newly appointed 2016 recipient, while Corea received the honor in 2006.

These friends first played together 44 years ago, when they recorded their very first album, Crystal Silence. In his autobiography, Gary Burton tells the story:

We set aside three days for the recording. Except for ... one tune in Munich, Chick and I hadn't worked together before Berlin, so we figured we would need a fair amount of time to choose songs and finalize arrangements. But to our amazement, it all went incredibly fast. We would spend maybe twenty minutes creating an arrangement, and then record. We did every song in just one take, except that we required a second spin through "Senor Mouse."
The record was finished in just a few hours, and the two realized they had a unique musical chemistry with the ability to anticipate each other's improvisational ideas. That album went on to become a classic: flawless yet fresh and forever new.

A few thousand concerts later, the jazz masters showed up at NPR HQ to perform a concert at our newly expanded Tiny Desk. On this day, it had been almost two years since Chick Corea and Gary Burton had played together — the longest break they'd ever had. But once again, their remarkable ability to connect was demonstrated in two songs they play together all the time.

Hot House is available now:

SET LIST:
"Love Castle"
"Crystal Silence"

CREDITS:
Producers: Suraya Mohamed, Niki Walker; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Niki Walker, Kara Frame, Morgan McCloy; Production Assistant: Jackson Sinnenberg; Photo: Brandon Chew/NPR.

[lothar-michaelernst]

One guy wrote the following comment:
"Chick Corea didn't die, he just returned to forever".
Isn't that a wonderful comment.
The musical world, we espcially, the pianists and keyboarders mourn and cry...

[piperpilot]

What we don't realize is that fifty years down the road, people are going to be listening to these last performances much in the way we listen to Miles or Parker's from 50+ years back. NPR has greatly contributed to the preservation of this man's work by having him perform here. The best part is that the audio is just simply superb.

[MT-biqi]

RIP Chick Corea. I discovered Jazz many years ago because of him.

[kevinmccarthy]

Back in the early 70s, a new club opened up down the street from my apartment in East Lansing. My friend and I decided to check it out. We came in and there was almost no one in the place yet, so we took a table right in front of the where the band's instruments were set up. More people came in and took their tables. Four musicians came out; a bass player, a drummer/percussionist, a guitarist, and a piano player. We didn't know who these people were and had never heard of 'fusion jazz' before. They were Chick Corea and Return to Forever (without Flora Purim). It was one of the most magical musical experiences of my life. We were completely blown away. I've been a fan ever since.

[frankfeldman]

Devastating. He gave us so, so much. Always so generous, joyful, playful, BRILLIANT. Thank you, thank you, thank you. :-(

[rubenschiefke]

“You don’t have to be Rembrandt or Picasso to create something. The fun of it, the joy of creating, is way high above anything else to do with the art form”. - Chick Corea
This quote changed my relationship to music forever. Truly one of the greats! Rest in peace.

[niecejohns]

I don't understand why in our culture getting older isn't honored. The gray hair and wisdom lines bespeak the awe-inspiring level of mastery these two gems have achieved.

[colinseeger]

Burton's vibes must be made of gold. No one sounds like him. And as for varying the distance between the mallets as he's that's plain spooky. CC is always an inspiration to the soul. Together, they make the World a better place. Sad that CC died but he will never be forgotten. He's a reference point for pianists. Always will be. Both legends. One offs. Aren't the rest of us lucky to be here to see them...

[willo]

RIP Chick Corea. Your music was timeless and will never be forgotten 🙏♥️

[funkygh]

holy cow. almost nobody else that plays with Chick can really hang on his level of quickness and invention, not to mention rhythmic sophistication and crispness of time. Gary can, and it is a pleasure to hear. These guys are in their '70s if I'm not mistaken. incredible. timeless mastery.

[jgjxn]

Chick Corea gave us a taste of Heaven thru his wondrous melodies. THIS dude probably has THE ALMIGHTY ONE bopping HIS Holy Head in symphonic grace rn!! Rest in Peace!!

[frankfeldman]

74 yo here, as full of joy and brilliance as ever. RIP, I loved you so so much. :-(

[kulikieb]

Chick Corea has just "Returned to Forever"...

[NaNoWhisp]

Oh my fucking god. These two are living legends, and I (just like you who read my comment I guess) just cannot get enough of them. These are the kind of human souls that should never, never die. Thanks a lot NPr for this moment.

[kimpeccable]

The world is a darker place without Chick Corea, one of--if not the--greatest jazz pianist/composers who ever lived.

[PieInTheSky]

The tiny desk concert always has the most incredible sound quality

[sammiweinstein]

I’m... I’m at a loss, devastated. You are such an inspiration. Your music is beyond amazing. “What making music for people does, I’ve observed, is it stimulates what’s natural in all of us, ” you told Jazz Times in 2020. “It’s native sense, in every person. You don’t have to be a professional anything — all you need to do is be a living human being, and open to the play of imagination.” Your music brings me so much joy, happiness— “Spain”! “La Fiesta”! I learned how to play jazz through those charts. Your music has shaped my career, my passion; and I am truly grateful. As I’m sure that generations of musicians are. You will be greatly missed. Rest In Peace, Chick Corea!!

[JS-hupv]

The vibraphone and piano complement each other so well. Then add in the fact that Chick and Mr. Burton complemented each other so well. It’s just perfection.

[johnunderwood]

I miss Chic. I am so happy I have a lot of his albums.

[chazinko]

These gentlemen had some special chemistry going on - one of Chick's best partnerships!