In an unlikely pairing of piano and banjo in 2006, Chick Corea and Béla Fleck joined together to explore the unexplored. Their proposed project, pairing one of jazz’s most prominent instruments with one relegated to “miscellaneous” in critics’ polls, was uncharted territory. But Corea (an admirer of the banjoist’s bluegrass-meets-bebop band the Flecktones) and Fleck (long inspired by Corea’s Return to Forever ensemble) went into the studio with new material they had written for the recording date.
The result: The Enchantment, which was not only deemed one of the best recordings of 2007 but also sparked multiyear international live tours where sold-out crowds were treated to Corea’s and Fleck’s genre-shattering, jaw-dropping display of technical mastery—all delivered with deep emotion and an unexpected spirit of play.
The most compelling performances culled from those years of touring comprise Two, the simply titled, live double-album, scheduled for release on September 11, 2015 on Concord Jazz. The track list includes compositions from The Enchantment, which are re-worked with boundary-stretching improvisation, Corea and Fleck classics, as well as choice new music added to the repertoire along the way.
On Two, the mutual respect and appreciation of each other’s music come to the fore. “We love to be spontaneous,” says Fleck on his collaboration with Corea. “Playing with Chick is one of the high-water marks in my musical life, and I’m amazed and proud that it came to be.” Corea returns the compliments: “Béla is a continuous fountain of creativity. He always maintains a spirit of inquiry and high-level musical judgment. His work ethic is impeccable. That’s always inspiring to me.”
Chick Corea and Bela Fleck are now on tour for their album Two playing at the Ryman on April 17. Purchase tickets here for this one of a kind paring. Check back for our interview with Bela Fleck about this new tour and album.
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