Matt Visits With Chick Corea and The Elektric Band

June 24, 2003

On our way back from NY, we made a slight detour to hear Matt’s friend and mentor Chick Corea. Matt was very tired from our NY trip, but he insisted that we not miss Chick’s concert in Somerville, MA.

By chance, we happened to stay at the same hotel as the band, and also by chance we ate lunch at the same restaurant at the same time as the band members. The waitress was speaking to us about having seen Matt on the TODAY Show, and after our chatting a bit, she made casual mention that the three gentlemen sitting at a nearby table were also jazz musicians. I introduced myself and Matt to them and asked who they were. They said they were Chick Corea’s band. It turns out they were Frank Gambale (lead guitarist, from the original Elektric band), Steve Wilson (sax player, from Chick’s band Origin), and Mike Pope (bass player, new to the Elektric band, performing his first gig that evening). Dave Weckl (the drummer, from the original Elektric band) was not there. We chatted, and they were VERY nice. I told them we’d hear them at the concert and see them later, as we were invited to go backstage and say hello to Chick after the concert.

When we went to the concert, the music was incredible! The band was REALLY tight. Matt really liked Frank Gambale and thought he was one of the stars of the evening.  I definitely agreed with him, but honestly ALL the guys were fantastic. It was such a phenomenal concert.

Matt’s review…”Excellent song forms, great intros, great solo orders, and most importantly they never ever ran out of solos. They had enough gas in their solo tank to do a 30 minute “Got a Match?””

I watched Matt’s face during the entire concert, and he was at rapt attention. He was sitting up in his chair, laughing as the band playfully pulled interesting sounds and combinations of notes out of the air. The performance was an intricate weave of funky, upbeat songs and beautiful ballads. All the songs performed were recorded on previous CDs, no “new” material; but the way they were performed was exciting and vibrant and tantalizing, making them seem effortless and new. The musicians carried you along on their roller coaster of music and never let your feet touch the ground. Each solo was all out and inventive. And the audience interaction and participation was electric. This concert was the kick-off concert for the band, who was leaving the next day to tour in Italy for several weeks. Everyone was hyped. Chick was especially “on”…despite the fact that he had just flown back from Puerto Rico and was exhausted. I had never before heard the Elektric band perform live. What an experience! If you have the opportunity to hear them, GO HEAR THEM! It was a performance I am THRILLED that I did not miss. After the concert we briefly visited with Chick and the rest of the band, told them how much we loved the concert, and wished them well on their tour.