Chick Corea Trio: Vigilette

While known for zig-zagging between ensembles, Corea always returns to the trio format, often spinning off the rhythm section of a larger group to create an independent unit with its own identity. In the 1980s, he unplugged the Chick Corea Elektric Band rhythm section to create the live-wire Chick Corea Akoustic Band with John Patitucci and Dave Weckl. Similarly, his 1990s sextet Origin evolved into the Chick Corea New Trio with bassist Avishai Cohen and drummer Jeff Ballard. His latest trio features Cuban bass master Carlitos Del Puerto and drummer Marcus Gilmore, who powered Corea’s ambitiously orchestral fusion band The Vigil after the eponymous 2013 album’s release. Del Puerto, who’s making his SFJAZZ debut, went on to anchor the Chick Corea-Steve Gadd Band on the recent Chinese Butterfly, while Gilmore is a Miner Auditorium mainstay via performances with Vijay Iyer, Savion Glover, Ravi Coltrane and Taylor McFerrin. With Corea, a new trio means a new chapter in jazz.