1959 · Album
The Complete Is Sessions
Recorded 1959 · Prestige Records · Produced by Bob Weinstock
Exploring the foundations of Chick Corea's sound
These sessions show Corea finding his voice before he became the household name.
Armando Corea was still figuring out who he was as a bandleader when these sessions happened. He'd spent time absorbing bebop and hard bop from the inside, playing alongside some serious musicians, and by this point he was ready to step into the spotlight on his own terms. The Complete Is Sessions captures that moment—not quite a debut, exactly, but early enough that you can hear him working through ideas that would define his later work.
What strikes you immediately is how straight-ahead these recordings are. Corea's playing here has a crisp, direct quality. He's not yet the cosmic explorer he'd become, not yet diving into fusion or electric instruments. This is acoustic piano jazz, rooted in the traditions he'd learned but with his own touch coming through. The standards and originals move with purpose and clarity. He's clearly listening hard to what's happening around him, responding in real time, which is what jazz is supposed to be about.
For listeners getting to know Corea, this isn't the place to start. Go to his later work first—something like Maiden Voyage (1965) or Now He Sings, Now He Sobs (1966)—where his vision is fully formed and the playing is more assured. But if you're already familiar with his major records and want to understand his roots, these sessions are genuinely worth hearing. They're honest, unpretentious music from a young pianist who had something to say and was learning how to say it.
Who's playing
Dave Hollanddouble bass
Chick Coreapiano
Bennie Maupintenor saxophone
Woody Shawtrumpet
Hubert Lawsflute
Horace Arnolddrums
Jack DeJohnettedrums
Where next?
More by Chick Corea
Crystal Silence 1973
Romantic Warrior 1976
The Chick Corea Acoustic Band 1989
The Chick Corea Elektric Band 1986
The musicians on this record
Time Speaks 1983
Woody Shaw
plays trumpet here
plays trumpet here
Emerald Tears 1978
Dave Holland
plays double bass here
plays double bass here
♫
Golden Beams Collected, Vol. 1 1959
Jack DeJohnette
plays drums (drum set) here
plays drums (drum set) here
The Jewel in the Lotus 1974
Bennie Maupin
plays tenor saxophone here
plays tenor saxophone here
