Jazz legends Chick Corea and Gary Burton debut their virtuoso jazz duets in a cabaret setting at Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts on Friday and Saturday, January 26 and 27 at 8 p.m. The first collaboration by these trailblazing jazz legends resulted in 1972’s sublime duet album, “Crystal Silence“, the jazz-fusion recording that thrust Corea and Burton into the consciousness of America. Ever influential, and with separate careers that periodically intersect, these kindred spirits have continued to compose, perform and record fresh jazz works that break new ground. Corea has produced a staggering volume of recordings over the past 40 years, and is one of the most prolific composers of the second half of the 20th century. In 2006 he received the Award of the Piano Festival Ruhr in Germany, a lifetime achievement award previously presented to only eight musicians. He also premiered a new piano concerto in Austria as part of the gala Mozart festival in Vienna.
In the 1960s, Burton and his fusion band pioneered the use of electric guitar in pushing the jazz form toward the explosive rock genre. Burton’s innovations in jazz, especially his approach to the vibraphone and his mastery of simultaneous four-mallet playing, have been the hallmark of his 40-year career. He has earned five Grammy awards and 13 Grammy nominations that cross multiple categories and attest to the high regard his music has achieved among his peers.
Don’t miss these jazz virtuosos in their first appearance in Storrs.
Check out my conversation with Mister Gary Burton here.
