Chick Corea: Rendezvous in New York

For three consecutive weeks, Chick Corea celebrated his 60th birthday. Nine different ensembles of his choosing held sway at New York's Blue Note two nights each week. Perhaps better to having been there, this ten-DVD/559-minute package not only has saved you a load of dough, but the audio and video excellence takes you to priceless viewing and listening positions over musicians' shoulders and under the fingertips of Chick and his collaborators - from his incomparable duo with vocalist Bobby McFerrin to the unquestionable highlight: the Now He Sings, Now He Sobs trio's rare reunion with Miroslav Vitous and Roy Haynes. Corea's duos include the 4-mallet pioneering vibraphonist Gary Burton and Cuban pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba; of Corea's bands, there's the Akoustic Band, the Three Quartets Band (a first-time reunion), Origin and Corea's New Trio. Corea is the one constant throughout, showing his versatility as both bandleader and composer. Of the 44 compositions found herein, 27 are Corea originals, while four are Monk's, three are Bud Powell's—his two largest influences.

One striking void was a Circle reunion with Anthony Braxton, Dave Holland and Barry Altschul. Another minor quibble: for such an historical document—unless I have a tremendous blindspot—there's not a single recording date reference (December 2001).

Tracks and Personnel

DVD1: Chick Corea/Bobby McFerrin Duet
Personnel: Chick Corea: piano; Bobby McFerrin: voice; Béla Fleck: banjo on "Spain.
Tracks: Introduction; Improv 7—Istanbul; The Frog; 'Round Midnight; Autumn Leaves; Introduction 2; Spain; Smile; End Credits. Approximate Running Time: 47:00

DVD2: Now He Sings, Now He Sobs Trio
Personnel: Chick Corea: piano; Miroslav Vitous: double-bass; Roy Haynes: drums.
Tracks: Introduction; How Deep is the Ocean; Rhythm-a-Ning; But Beautiful; Matrix; Straight, No Chaser; End Credits. Approximate Running Time: 48:00.

DVD3: Remembering Bud Powell Band
Personnel: Chick Corea: piano; Terence Blanchard: trumpet; Joshua Redman: tenor saxophone; Christian McBride: double-bass; Roy Haynes: drums.
Tracks: Introduction; Glass Enclosure/Tempus Fugit; Oblivion; Uno Poco Loco; End Credits. Approximate Running Time: 50:00.

DVD4: Chick Corea/Gary Burton Duet
Personnel: Chick Corea: piano; Gary Burton: vibraphone.
Tracks: Introduction; Love Castle; Mirror Mirror; Duende; Monk's Dream; Crystal Silence; Bud Powell; End Credits. Approximate Running Time: 53:00.

DVD5: Chick Corea Akoustic Band
Personnel: Chick Corea: piano; John Patitucci: double-bass; Dave Weckl: drums.
Tracks: Introduction; Bessie's Blues; Someday My Prince Will Come; Humpty Dumpty; My One and Only Love; Spain; End Credits. Approximate Running Time: 48:00.

DVD6: Chick Corea & Origin
Personnel: Chick Corea: piano; Avishai Cohen: double-bass; Jeff Ballard: drums; Tim Garland: saxophones, bass clarinet; Steve Wilson: saxophones, clarinet; Steve Davis: trombone.
Tracks: Introduction; Hand Me Down; Armando's Tango; It Could Happen to You; Wigwam; End Credits. Approximate Running Time: 56:00.

DVD7: Chick Corea/Gonzalo Rubalcaba Duet
Personnel: Chick Corea: piano; Gonzalo Rubalcaba: piano.
Tracks: Introduction; Toccata (improv 7); Melodic Conversation; Carnaval; Scenes, Shadows and Particles; Concerto de Aranjuez/Spain; End Credits. Approximate Running Time: 50: 00.

DVD8: Chick Corea New Trio
Personnel: Chick Corea: piano; Avishai Cohen:double-bass; Jeff Ballard: drums.
Tracks: Introduction; La Fiesta; Nostalgia; Revolving Door; Dignity; Anna's Tango; Fingerprints; End Credits. Approximate Running Time: 52:00.

DVD9: Three Quartets Band
Personnel: Chick Corea: piano; Michael Brecker: tenor saxophone; Eddie Gomez: double- bass; Steve Gadd: drums.
Tracks: Introduction; Quartet No. 1; Quartet No. 2 Part 1; Quartet No. 2 Part 2; Quartet No. 3; End Credits. Approximate Running Time: 53:00.

DVD10: Rendezvous in New York: The Movie
Personnel: Chick Corea: piano; various others.
Tracks: Introduction; Now He Sings, Now He Sobs Trio: Matrix; Three Quartets Band: Quartet No. 2, Part 1; Chick Corea/Gonzalo Rubalcaba Duet: Concierto de Aranjuez/Spain; Chick Corea/Bobby McFerrin Duet: Armando's Rhumba; Chick Corea Akoustic Band: Humpty Dumpty; Chick Corea/Gary Burton Duet: Crystal Silence; Remembering Bud Powell Band: Oblivion; Chick Corea New Trio: Lifeline; Now He Sings, Now He Sobs Trio: Straight, No Chaser; Chick Corea & Origin: Hand Me Down; Chick Corea/Bobby McFerrin Duet: Smile/End Credits. Approximate Running Time: 100:00.

Additional Reviews
Chick Corea: Rendezvous In New York
Chick Corea: Rendezvous In New York

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Chick Corea: Artist Profile
Chick Corea: Building a Jazz Library

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