Chick Corea Net Worth - Pulptastic

What was Chick Corea’s Net Worth?

Chick Corea, the American musician and composer, had a net worth of $5 million at the time of his death.

Corea was known for creating modern jazz standards like “Spain,” “Windows,” and “500 Miles High.” He played in Miles Davis’s band during the late 60s and founded influential jazz groups Circle and Return to Forever in the 70s.

Corea won 27 Grammy Awards during his lifetime, tying him with Alison Krauss for the fourth most wins in Grammy history. Only Beyonce, Quincy Jones, and Georg Solti have won more.

Chick Corea died on February 9, 2021, from cancer.

Chick Corea’s Early Life and Career

Chick Corea, born Armando Corea, was introduced to jazz at an early age thanks to his father, who led a Dixieland band in Boston. He began playing the piano at age four and took up the drums at eight. Corea took lessons from concert pianist Salvatore Sullo and played gigs as a teenager, including as part of a trio at a local jazz club. He moved to New York City to attend Columbia University and later the Juilliard School, but dropped out dissatisfied.

Chick Corea’s Early Career

Chick Corea began his professional career in the early 1960s, performing and touring with jazz artists such as Willie Bobo, Herbie Mann, Stan Getz, and Blue Mitchell. He then released his debut solo album, “Tones for Joan’s Bones,” followed by his acclaimed second album, “Now He Sings, Now He Sobs,” featuring bassist Miroslav Vitouš and drummer Roy Haynes.

Corea’s Partnership with Miles Davis

Starting in the late 60s, Chick Corea gained recognition for his professional collaboration with jazz musician Miles Davis. He toured with Davis and contributed to several of his most acclaimed studio albums, including “Filles de Kilimanjaro,” “In a Silent Way,” “Bitches Brew,” and “On the Corner.” Corea also made appearances on live albums such as “Black Beauty: Miles Davis at the Fillmore West” and “Miles Davis at Fillmore: Live at the Fillmore East.” He remained a part of Davis’s band until 1970.

Chick Corea’s Circle

Chick Corea teamed up with Dave Holland, a fellow member of Miles Davis’s band, to form the avant-garde jazz ensemble Circle in the early 70s. The group also consisted of drummer Barry Altschul and multi-instrumentalist Anthony Braxton. Circle released several live albums during their brief time together. In addition, Corea, Holland, and Altschul also collaborated on the album “A.R.C.” although it was not under the Circle name.

Chick Corea’s Return to Forever

In 1972, Chick Corea founded Return to Forever, a jazz fusion band that mostly played Latin-oriented music. The band’s members included Flora Purim, Airto Moreira, Stanley Clarke, and Joe Farrell. They released their debut album, “Return to Forever,” in 1972 on ECM Records. The band’s second studio album, “Light as a Feather,” featured one of Corea’s most popular songs, “Spain.” Lenny White and Bill Connors joined the band, and they recorded “Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy.” After Connors left and was replaced by Al Di Meola, the band recorded “Where Have I Known You Before,” “No Mystery,” and “Romantic Warrior.” The band’s final studio album, “Musicmagic,” was released in 1977.

Chick Corea’s Notable Duet Projects

Chick Corea collaborated with several artists over the course of his career on notable duet projects. In the 70s, he recorded multiple duet albums with vibraphonist Gary Burton and performed concerts with pianist Herbie Hancock. He also performed a live duet with classical pianist Friedrich Gulda in the early 80s. Later in his career, Corea collaborated with banjoist Béla Fleck and pianist Hiromi Uehara on both albums and tours. He reunited with Hancock for a duet concert series in 2015.

Chick Corea’s Musical Projects

Chick Corea led the Chick Corea Elektric Band, also known as the Akoustic Band, and released multiple albums between 1986 and 1994. He also established his own record label, Stretch Records. In the late 90s, he explored contemporary classical music and composed his first piano concerto, which he performed with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Throughout the 21st century, Corea continued to record jazz fusion albums and created a new group, the Five Peace Band, which embarked on a world tour in late 2008.

Chick Corea’s Interest in Scientology

In 1968, Chick Corea read L. Ron Hubbard’s “Dianetics” and became interested in Scientology. Throughout the early 70s, his interest in the movement grew and had a substantial impact on the direction of his music during that time.

Chick Corea’s Personal Life and Death

Corea had two children named Thaddeus and Liana with his first wife, Joanie. He had no children with his second wife, musician Gayle Moran.

In February of 2021, Corea passed away from cancer at his home in Tampa Bay, Florida. He was 79 years of age.

Chick Corea’s Mansion Purchase

In 1997, Chick Corea bought an 8,600 square foot mansion in Largo, Florida for $825,000. The property is located near the Scientology offices in Clearwater.