Jazz pioneer and Return to Forever founder Chick Corea passed away on February 9th due to a rare form of cancer at age 79. The news was confirmed by his team via Facebook, along with a farewell message from the artist himself.

Corea's illustrious career spanned over five decades, during which he released 81 studio albums and won 23 Grammy Awards out of 67 nominations. His journey began with his debut album "Tones for Joan's Bones" in 1968, after collaborating with jazz luminaries Blue Mitchell and Herbie Mann.

In 1971, Corea founded the influential jazz-fusion group Return to Forever, which released seven studio albums and continued performing live into the 2000s. His compositions "Spain," "500 Miles High," and "Windows" became jazz standards, while his collaborations with artists like Gary Burton, Miles Davis, Béla Fleck, and Steve Gadd further cemented his legacy.

In his final message to fans and fellow musicians, Corea encouraged aspiring artists to pursue their creative passions: "It's not only that the world needs more artists, it's also just a lot of fun."

Fellow musicians paid tribute to Corea's influence, including eight-time Grammy winner Eddie Palmieri and NEA Jazz Master Charles Lloyd, who praised his innovative spirit and generous nature. His impact on jazz and fusion music continues to inspire new generations of musicians.

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