Tributes paid to 23-time Grammy-winning jazz musician Chick Corea, who has died aged 79

Legendary jazz composer and keyboardist Chick Corea has died, a statement shared on his social media platforms confirmed last night. The American musician, who won 23 Grammy Awards, and was nominated over 60 times over the course of his career, passed away on February 9 from "a rare form of cancer which was only discovered very recently." He was 79.

Countless fans, collaborators and friends of Chick have paid tribute to the NEA Jazz Master, with Yusuf Cat Stevens describing him as "one of the most innovative and inspired musicians I ever had the privilege to work with."

God bless @ChickCorea, one of the most innovative and inspired musicians I ever had the privilege to work with. His musical art and genius were an education, not just a performance. He has now truly returned to forever. May peace be his ultimate achievement. pic.twitter.com/tXVSBQk6aV

— Yusuf / Cat Stevens (@YusufCatStevens) February 12, 2021

Harvey Mason Jr., Chair & Interim President/CEO of the Recording Academy noted that Chick was "undisputedly one of the most incredible jazz innovators of all time."

"@ChickCorea was undisputedly one of the most incredible jazz innovators of all time. An extraordinary composer and keyboardist, Chick rewrote the rulebook for jazz in his more than 5-decade long career, receiving mass critical acclaim along the way for his musical excellence." pic.twitter.com/24ojFQfIgY

— Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@RecordingAcad) February 12, 2021

Banjo virtuoso Béla Fleck, who Chick collaborated with on Latin Grammy-winning album The Enchantment and the live double-album Two, has also paid tribute.

So sad to hear about the passing of @ChickCorea, my hero, mentor and friend. Deep love to Gayle and all of Chick’s family, staff and friends. The world has lost one of the great ones. I’m so honored to have known him.

— Béla Fleck (@belafleckbanjo) February 11, 2021

Rehearsal with @ChickCorea pic.twitter.com/11M4zYFInH

— Béla Fleck (@belafleckbanjo) February 12, 2021

See more tributes below:

On this day music stops and bows in reverence to Chic Corea, one of the greatest that ever lived RIP MAESTRO 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

— Zakir Hussain (@ZakirHtabla) February 11, 2021

I’m devastated to hear of the legendary @ChickCorea’s passing. This man changed my life thru his music and we were able to play together many times. I was very fortunate to call him my family. Chick, you are missed dearly, your music and brilliant light will live on forever. pic.twitter.com/YR0n0fb4gH

— SheilaEdrummer (@SheilaEdrummer) February 11, 2021

Chick Corea... an unparalleled maverick, a master of his craft, a trailblazer in every sense, a gentle giant. The world has lost a vast musical force today, but is endlessly richer for the deep legacy Chick has left behind. How lucky we are. Thank you so much, Chick 💙 pic.twitter.com/njiJQUdZ4T

— Jacob Collier (@jacobcollier) February 12, 2021

Farewell to a master... RIP Chick Corea

Here's Chick in 1964 at Van Gelder Studio in Englewood Cliffs during recording session for Blue Mitchell's "The Thing To Do."

Read the NY Times obituary: https://t.co/HLka78eunc pic.twitter.com/oA618m4yGL

— Blue Note Records (@bluenoterecords) February 11, 2021

Wow!😲 A Master Musician & Musical Visionary has changed frequencies. Mr. Chick Corea, ur gifts to this world the Number's just can't count. Thx u my brother R.I.P.🙏🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/qjjPji3Yij

— Bootsy Collins (@Bootsy_Collins) February 12, 2021

“My one thing is I continue to be interested and want to be a student. I don't want to be a master. When I'm learning something, I'm in my element.” - @ChickCorea RIP ♥️🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/0v1TPwKM08

— Disclosure (@disclosure) February 12, 2021

Rest in Peace dear Chick Corea.
We love you Gayle.
💔 pic.twitter.com/RjgrFKhGLY

— Philip Bailey (@PhilipBaileyEWF) February 12, 2021

🎼Return to Forever
@ChickCorea
Rest
Well
Maestro💝 https://t.co/JH7bKqRuqH

— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) February 12, 2021

Our hearts are heavy to learn of the passing of the great @ChickCorea. As a keyboardist, composer, and bandleader, Corea brightened the @HollywoodBowl, Walt Disney Concert Hall and countless stages around the world with his tireless creative spirit that led him to reinvent jazz pic.twitter.com/8fID3tT4NK

— LA Phil (@LAPhil) February 12, 2021

RIP Chick Corea. The Return to Forever project remains one of the most technically magnificent creations of cosmic slop ever laid down. A blueprint for genre fusion and deep galactic jazz. The fossil fuel for an eternity of rap samples. https://t.co/RsRcyAeCua pic.twitter.com/TIE82rtnij

— Otto Von Biz Markie (@Passionweiss) February 11, 2021

...Now he sobs. RIP chick corea ❤️

— FLYLO (@flyinglotus) February 11, 2021

#JALC mourns the passing of one of the music's most revered heroes, @ChickCorea. Throughout his life, Chick Corea never ceased in his innovations, & his music stands as one of the most towering testaments to a life of supreme genius, integrity, & kindness. https://t.co/L2uyGpP8oH

— Jazz at Lincoln Center (@jazzdotorg) February 11, 2021