Three Quartets

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Three Quartets
Three Quartets cover
Studio album by Chick Corea
Released 1981
Recorded January-February 1981 at Mad Hatter Studios Los Angeles, California
Genre Jazz
Length 39:03
Label Stretch Records
Professional reviews

Three Quartets is a jazz album released in 1981 by American jazz pianist Chick Corea, in collaboration with saxophone giant Michael Brecker, bassist Eddie Gomez, and drummer Steve Gadd. All compositions are by Corea who wanted to create an album of quartets like the many string quartets of the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Impressionist periods; however, he would use jazz instrumentation.

Quartet No. 1 uses a 1-chord (G altered) solo vamp over a rock beat in 3/4, and a repeated theme that uses stacked fourths. The second track, Quartet No. 2 (Part I) is a ballad, dedicated to jazz pioneer Duke Ellington, incorporating many of the Western classical harmonies and tensions that Ellington used in much of his playing. Quartet No. 2 (Part II) is dedicated to saxophone/bebop legend John Coltrane. Gadd's solo on this track is memorable as one of the best drum solos ever recorded. And Quartet No. 3 is a swinging, avante-garde-esque composition known for its memorable melody.

[edit] Track listing

(All compositions by Chick Corea)

  1. Quartet No. 1 (10:16)
  2. Quartet No. 2 (Part I- Dedicated to Duke Ellington) (7:09)
  3. Quartet No. 2 (Part II- Dedicated to John Coltrane) (12:01)
  4. Quartet No. 3 (9:41)

The CD reissue contains several tracks that were recorded during the same sessions as the original album but not released at the time. These are:

  • Folk Song (5:51)
  • Hairy Canary (3:43)
  • Slippery When Wet (6:02)
  • Confirmation (6:17)

Corea plays drums on "Confirmation" instead of Steve Gadd.

[edit] Personnel

  • Stephen Marcussen - Remastering
  • Sonny Mediana - Graphic Design
  • Joel Strote - Associate Executive Producer
  • Adam Zelinka - Post Producer
  • Dan Serrano - Graphic Design
  • Andy Baltimore - Creative Director
  • Andy Ruggirello - Graphic Design
  • Darryl Pitt - Photography
  • Susan Garson - Project Coordinator
  • Richard Veloso - Art Producer
  • Duncan Aldrich - Assistant Engineer