チック・コリアさん死去〜”N0W HE SINGS, NOW HE SOBS”〜

米国ジャズピアニストの巨匠チック・コリアさんが79歳で他界されたと知り、週末の今日は、CD収納庫からチックのファーストアルバムにして伝説の名盤“NOW HE SINGS, NOW HE SOBS”(1968年録音・BLUE NOTE)を引っ張り出して、全13曲を聴くことに。「今、彼は歌い、今またすすり泣く」という意味深なタイトルに惹かれて、このCDアルバムを購入した記憶が忽ち甦りました。

トリオによるスピーディな演奏は勿論格別(ベーシストはミロスラフ・ヴィトウス)ですが、久しぶりに聴くソロ演奏がまったく古びていないことに新鮮な感動さえ覚えました。なかでも、畳み掛けてくるような即興”STEPS-WHAT WAS”が印象的です。Amazonを覗けば、このアルバムに対して実に240ものレビューがなされています。来日公演も多くこなしたチックのファン層の厚みを感じないではいられません。

72年以降、フュージョンバンド、リターン・トゥ・フォーエヴァーを率いたチック・コリアさんは次々と新境地を拓き、その多彩な活動によってグラミー賞ノミネート67回、23回受賞という金字塔を打ち立てています。アルバムを聴きながら、チック・コーリアの原点が、正統派ジャズピアニストの系譜に連なっていたことを改めて意識させられました。

故人のFacebookが次のように訃報を伝えています。

It is with great sadness we announce that on February 9th, Chick Corea passed away at the age of 79, from a rare form of cancer which was only discovered very recently.

Throughout his life and career, Chick relished in the freedom and the fun to be had in creating something new, and in playing the games that artists do.

He was a beloved husband, father and grandfather, and a great mentor and friend to so many. Through his body of work and the decades he spent touring the world, he touched and inspired the lives of millions.

Though he would be the first to say that his music said more than words ever could, he nevertheless had this message for all those he knew and loved, and for all those who loved him:

“I want to thank all of those along my journey who have helped keep the music fires burning bright. It is my hope that those who have an inkling to play, write, perform or otherwise, do so. If not for yourself then for the rest of us. It’s not only that the world needs more artists, it’s also just a lot of fun.

“And to my amazing musician friends who have been like family to me as long as I’ve known you: It has been a blessing and an honor learning from and playing with all of you. My mission has always been to bring the joy of creating anywhere I could, and to have done so with all the artists that I admire so dearly—this has been the richness of my life.”

Chick’s family will of course appreciate their privacy during this difficult time of loss.

Now He Sings Now He Sobs