Chick Corea & The Elektric Band

BUENA PARK, CA (January 23, 2003)—As one of the most significant jazzmen since the 1960's, Chick Corea is a masterful pianist who—along with Keith Jarrett and Herbie Hancock—is one of the few electric keyboardists to be wholly recognizable on synthesizers and one of the top stylists to emerge from that era. Corea recently toured with a reunited Elektric Band, the acclaimed fusion group he formed in 1985, featuring Yamaha artists John Patitucci on bass, guitarist Frank Gambale, saxophonist Eric Marienthal drummer Dave Weckl, and a host of Yamaha instruments.

"We got together for our Hollywood Bowl date in August, and it was as if no time had passed," says Corea, who played the Motif 8 Music Production Synthesizer for the tour. "Music and friendship make time a lie.

We started with some of the existing repertoire, so we all had to re-familiarize ourselves with the compositions. Everyone came to the first rehearsal ready—and the very first run-through of 'Rumble' made my hair stand up and brought tears to my eyes."

Gambale, who joined the Elektric Band in 1986, elaborated, "When getting back with everyone, it's like riding a bicycle—you never forget. I think it's greater than before. Everyone's matured and playing at their best." The GRAMMY Award-winning guitarist has recorded five albums with both Chick Corea and Vital Information (with Steve Smith and Stuart Hamm), and played the FPX300 and his signature AESFG for the reunion tour.