For over three decades Chick Corea has stayed at the top of the game by making up his own rules. His constantly evolving artistry has seen him perform and record in a seemingly endless variety of settings and styles. Influenced early on by the likes of Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, Art Tatum, John Coltrane, Horace Silver, and Bud Powell, not to mention Beethoven and Mozart, Chick, in turn, has influenced scores of up and coming as well as established musicians.

Chick Corea's latest Stretch recording is titled CHICK COREA AND FRIENDS Remembering Bud Powell Featuring Roy Haynes, Kenny Garrett, Christian McBride, Joshua Redman, Wallace Roney (SCD-9012-2.) This truly all-star line up, anchored by Chick Corea's flawless piano and arranging prowess, delivers a respectful and loving homage to the man who critic Barry Ulanov has said, "gave bop its only real piano voice."

Nine of Bud Powell's tunes and one Corea original titled "Bud Powell" are featured here, and the cream-of-the-crop assemblage under Chick's direction more than rises to the challenge of the brilliant material presented them.

Born Armando Anthony Corea in Chelsea, Massachusetts on June 12, 1941, Chick was studying piano by age four. After moving to New York at age seventeen, Chick began performing with many prominent musicians of the era including Maynard Ferguson, Kenny Dorham, Stan Getz, and Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Big Band.

His budding compositional skills were first brought to light in the three years (1964-1966) he spent with Blue Mitchell, and soon after on Chick's first recording as a leader Tones For Joan's Bones. Outings with Willie Bobo, Mongo Santamaria, Cal Tjader, and Herbie Mann instilled a lifetime affection for Latin rhythms that can be heard in Corea compositions like "Spain," "La Fiesta," and "Armando's Rhumba."

By the late 1960s after a year of playing piano for Stan Getz, then Sarah Vaughan, Chick Corea joined the Miles Davis band, playing electric piano on the landmark albums "In A Silent Way" and "Bitches Brew" This period planted the seeds for Chick's extensive exploration of free improvisation, but he had a different approach in mind leading to the formation of Circle, along with Dave Holland, Anthony Braxton and Barry Altschul.

Although this group was very influential on the avant-garde scene, Corea soon felt a need to explore his more lyrical side. The two albums Piano Improvisations Vols. I & 11 recorded in 1971 shortly before Circle disbanded, clearly reflect this desire.

Chick Corea's communication with audiences increased with his creation of the first Return To Forever. The initial grouping included Stanley Clarke on bass, Flora Purim on vocals, Airto on drums, and reedman Joe Farrell.

The Latin sounds explored on the first recording gave way to an aggressive rock approach with drummer Lenny White, bassist Stanley Clarke, guitarist Bill Connors, and later Al Di Meola, along with Corea playing a dazzling array of electronic keyboards, helping to pave the path for what would become known as jazz fusion.

The late 1970s saw yet a third version of Return To Forever, utilizing string and brass ensembles, made use of less electronics, and drew its inspiration from Spanish, Latin and classical traditions.

During this period, Chick glided effortlessly between electric, acoustic, solo piano, and duos, with Gary Burton and fellow piano great Herbie Hancock.

Albums released in this era include,Leprechaun, My Spanish Heart, The Mad Hatter, and Friends, recording with such artists as Steve Gadd, Joe Farrell, Paco De Lucia, Roy Haynes, Joe Henderson, Michael Brecker, Miroslav Vitous, Steve Kujala, Eddie Gomez, Tom Brechtlein, Anthony Jackson, Jean-Luc Ponty, Bill Watrous, Al Jarreau, Freddie Hubbard, Chaka Kahn, Nancy Wilson, and Lee Konitz, among others.

By 1985 Chick Corea had returned to the electric format with the creation of The Chick Corea Elektric Band with John Patitucci (bass) and Dave Weckl (drums), later adding Frank Gambale(guitar), and Eric Marienthal (sax).

1992 saw the formation of Chick's own record label, Stretch Records, with longtime associate and manager Ron Moss. This forum for recording artists that reflect Chick's wide ranging musical tastes entered into a marketing and distribution deal with Concord Records in late 1996.

Chick Corea remains one of the most diverse musicians of all time, having composed a piano concerto, scoring a motion picture, performing solo worldwide, and creating a number one Billboard album with the Akoustic Band in 1988.

Chick's appreciation for classical music is evident on his recent collaboration with Bobby McFerrin The Mozart Sessions (Sony Classical),with The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, on which the adventurously improvisatorial spirit of both gentlemen shines through in their take on this great composers work.

Extensively involved in anti drug programs and other humanitarian causes, no matter what type of music he is playing,Chick, with 8 Grammys and 25 nominations, will certainly be seen by history as one of the most individualistic, dynamic, and recognizable musicians of this or any time.