
Chick Corea's Spain is an instrumental jazz fusion composition that is considered a jazz standard. The piece was composed in 1971 and appeared on the album Light as a Feather. It has been recorded in several versions, including a flamenco version by Paco de Lucía, Al Di Meola, and John McLaughlin in the 1980s. Corea has explored Spanish, Latin, and flamenco traditions throughout his career, and his love for flamenco music is well-known. He has collaborated with flamenco artists such as Paco de Lucía, Niño Josele, and Nino de los Reyes, and has formed a band called The Spanish Heart Band. Corea's music, including Spain, has been influenced by traditional Spanish music and often features a flamenco style of playing on the piano.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chick Corea's inspiration for "Spain" | Joaquin Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez |
| Year of composition | 1971 or 1972 |
| "Spain" performers | Chick Corea, Airto Moreira, Flora Purim, Stanley Clarke, Joe Farrell |
| "Spain" renditions | Flamenco version by Paco de Lucía, Al Di Meola and John McLaughlin; Progressive bluegrass version by Béla Fleck; Version with lyrics by Al Jarreau |
| Chick Corea's band | The Spanish Heart Band |
| Band members | Bassist Carlitos Del Puerto, drummer Marcus Gilmore, trumpeter Michael Rodriguez, trombonist Steve Davis, saxophonist and flutist Jorge Pardo, percussionist Luisito Quintero, flamenco guitarist Niño Josele, flamenco dancer Nino de los Reyes |
| Band members' origins | Spain, Cuba, Venezuela, the U.S. |
| Chick Corea's notable albums | My Spanish Heart, Touchstone, Antidote |
| Flamenco origins | Southern Spain, specifically the region of Andalusia and also Extremadura and Murcia |
| Flamenco art form | Based on the folkloric music traditions of southern Spain, developed within the gitano subculture of Andalusia |
| Flamenco in the U.S. | The state of New Mexico has a strong identity with Flamenco culture |
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What You'll Learn

The influence of traditional Spanish music on Chick Corea's 'Spain'
Chick Corea is a renowned keyboardist, pianist, and composer, known for his jazz fusion compositions. His most recognised piece, "Spain," is a jazz standard that showcases Corea's exploration of Spanish, Latin, and flamenco influences. The composition, debuted in 1972, is inspired by Joaquin Rodrigo's "Concierto de Aranjuez" and has been recorded numerous times, including a flamenco version by Paco de Lucía, Al Di Meola, and John McLaughlin in the 1980s.
Corea's connection to flamenco music and Spanish traditions runs deep. He has expressed his love for these genres and has collaborated with flamenco artists throughout his career. Notably, he worked with the flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucía, whom he credited with igniting his interest in flamenco music and its history. Their collaboration on the song ""Zyryab," named after a 9th-century musician who introduced the lute to the Spanish court, blends Spanish and Middle Eastern influences.
Corea's album "My Spanish Heart" is a testament to his exploration of his "Spanish Heart". Released in 1976, the album combines jazz fusion with traditional Latin music and is considered a classic. He further delved into this territory with his 1982 album "Touchstone," which includes collaborations with de Lucía, such as "The Yellow Nimbus," featuring de Lucía's percussive handclaps and Corea's array of analog synthesizers.
In 2019, Corea formed The Spanish Heart Band, an octet that includes prominent flamenco artists. Their debut album, "Antidote," revisits classic pieces from "My Spanish Heart" and "Touchstone" while also offering new compositions. The band features flamenco guitarist Niño Josele and flamenco dancer Nino de los Reyes, showcasing Corea's continued engagement with flamenco traditions.
Corea's influence on other artists is evident in the various renditions of "Spain" by different musicians. While the original composition is an iconic jazz standard, artists have created their own interpretations, including a flamenco version, a progressive bluegrass version, and even a version with lyrics. Corea himself has performed his composition as a duo with Japanese pianist Hiromi Uehara, demonstrating the versatility and enduring appeal of his work.
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Corea's use of flamenco-style piano playing
Chick Corea is a legendary pianist, keyboardist, and composer who has explored a variety of musical styles from across geographical and stylistic borders. He has returned to what he calls his
Corea's most well-known composition, "Spain," was released in 1972 and is inspired by Joaquin Rodrigo's "Concierto de Aranjuez." It is considered a jazz standard and has been recorded numerous times, including by de Lucía and Tito Puente. Corea's original rendition featured him on the Rhodes electric piano, a type of keyboard he pioneered.
Corea has periodically revisited flamenco since his first encounter with the genre through flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucía. In 1976, he released the album "My Spanish Heart," which combined jazz fusion with traditional Latin music and is considered one of his most successful albums. Sixteen years later, he delved even deeper into flamenco with the album "Touchstone," which spotlighted his collaboration with de Lucía.
Corea's debut album with his new Spanish Heart Band, "Antidote," revisits classic pieces from "My Spanish Heart" and "Touchstone." The band includes two notable flamenco artists: guitarist Niño Josele and dancer Nino de los Reyes. On the album, Corea once again explores his Latin musical heritage with musicians from Spain, Cuba, Venezuela, and the US.
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The popularity of 'Spain' in Spain
Chick Corea's "Spain" is a popular jazz fusion composition, and one of his most well-known pieces. It was composed in 1971 and appeared on the album "Light as a Feather". The piece has been recorded several times, by Corea and other artists, including a flamenco version by Paco de Lucía, Al Di Meola and John McLaughlin in the 1980s.
Corea has explored a range of music from different geographical and stylistic borders throughout his career, but he has often returned to his
Corea's debut release with his Spanish Heart Band, "Antidote", revisits classic pieces from these two albums, along with new compositions. The band features a mix of musicians from Spain, Cuba, Venezuela, and the US, including flamenco guitarist Niño Josele and flamenco dancer Nino de los Reyes. The album also includes a rendition of "Duende", with a prominent flute part and interplay between horns, percussion, and dancing feet, reflecting the flamenco style.
"Spain" was inspired by Joaquin Rodrigo's "Concierto de Aranjuez", and the piece has been recorded countless times since its debut, including by de Lucía and Tito Puente. Corea has also performed the composition as a duo with Japanese pianist Hiromi Uehara. The popularity of "Spain" in Spain can be attributed to its fusion of jazz with rock, funk, and Latin music, as well as its exploration of Spanish, Latin, and flamenco traditions, which have a strong cultural presence in the country.
Flamenco is an art form based on the folkloric music traditions of southern Spain, particularly the Andalusia region, and is closely associated with the Romani ethnicity, specifically the gitano subculture. It emerged at the end of the 18th century and has evolved over the past two centuries, with new artists experimenting with the form to cover a wider audience. The term "flamenco" is used to refer to a variety of musical styles typical of southern Spain, and the dance is often performed by Spanish flamenco dance companies in a "classical flamenco" style, with a proud and upright stance.
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Corea's creative fearlessness and the evolution of 'Spain'
Chick Corea is a virtuoso keyboardist, pianist, and composer, revered as one of the principal alchemists in the fusion of jazz with rock, funk, and Latin music. Throughout his eclectic and storied career, Corea has explored a wide range of music across geographical and stylistic borders, including Spanish, Latin, and flamenco traditions. His most well-known composition, "Spain," is a testament to his creative fearlessness and evolution as an artist.
"Spain," an instrumental jazz fusion composition, was written by Corea in 1971 and debuted in 1972. It is considered a jazz standard and is likely Corea's most recognized piece. The composition was inspired by Joaquin Rodrigo's "Concierto de Aranjuez" and has been recorded countless times by various artists, including a flamenco version by Paco de Lucía, Al Di Meola, and John McLaughlin in the 1980s.
Corea's exploration of flamenco music and his collaboration with flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucía played a significant role in his artistic evolution. In an interview, Corea acknowledged the influence of de Lucía and other flamencos, stating that "something got turned on" when he met them and learned about their music and history. This connection inspired him and broadened his artistic perspective, leaving a lasting impact on his work.
Corea's love for Spanish, Latin, and flamenco music is evident in several of his albums. In 1976, he released "My Spanish Heart," an innovative fusion of jazz and traditional Latin music that became one of his most successful and beloved albums. He further explored these influences in his 1982 album "Touchstone," which featured collaborations with de Lucía, including the song "Duende."
Corea's creative fearlessness and willingness to experiment with different musical styles have not only shaped his own artistic journey but have also left an indelible mark on the world of jazz and beyond. His fearless exploration of flamenco and other genres has inspired and influenced countless musicians, demonstrating the transformative power of embracing diverse cultural traditions in music.
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The fusion of jazz with Latin music
Chick Corea is revered as one of the principal alchemists in the fusion of jazz with rock, funk, and Latin music. In 1972, he debuted his most well-known composition, "Spain," inspired by Joaquin Rodrigo's "Concierto de Aranjuez." The piece has since been recorded countless times, including a flamenco version by Paco de Lucía, Al Di Meola, and John McLaughlin in the 1980s. Corea himself has revisited flamenco periodically, influenced by his collaboration with de Lucía.
Corea's love for Spanish, Latin, and flamenco music is well-known. In 1976, he released "My Spanish Heart," an innovative session combining jazz fusion with traditional Latin music. This album is considered a classic and one of Corea's most successful works. He further explored these influences in his 1982 album "Touchstone," which featured collaborations with de Lucía, including "The Yellow Nimbus," a custom showpiece for the flamenco guitarist.
Corea's debut release with his new Spanish Heart Band, "Antidote," is a vibrant exploration of his Spanish, Latin, and flamenco roots. The band includes an impressive lineup of musicians from Spain, Cuba, Venezuela, and the US, such as flamenco guitarist Niño Josele and flamenco dancer Nino de los Reyes. The album revisits classic pieces from "My Spanish Heart" and "Touchstone," along with new compositions.
Corea's interest in flamenco was sparked by his meeting with Paco de Lucía, which led him to explore the music and history of flamenco and its connection to his own universe. This influence is evident in his compositions and performances, such as his 75th birthday celebration at the Blue Note in New York, where he showcased his flamenco influences.
"Spain," with its Latin and flamenco influences, has become a jazz standard and is considered Corea's most recognized piece. It has been recorded in various versions, showcasing the composition's versatility and enduring appeal. Corea's exploration of Latin and flamenco traditions has shaped his unmistakable sound and contributed to his illustrious career as a pianist, keyboardist, and composer.
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Frequently asked questions
"Spain", composed in 1971 and first released in 1972, is an instrumental jazz fusion composition by Chick Corea. It is considered a jazz standard and is likely Corea's most recognized piece. Corea has explored a variety of music from across geographical and stylistic borders throughout his career, including Spanish, Latin, and flamenco traditions. The piece has been recorded several times, including a flamenco version by Paco de Lucía, Al Di Meola, and John McLaughlin in the 1980s.
"Spain" is widely considered Chick Corea's most well-known composition and has been recorded numerous times by various artists, including a flamenco version. The piece has helped popularize flamenco music and brought it to a wider audience.
Chick Corea is a virtuoso keyboardist and pianist known for his eclectic career and exploration of music across geographical and stylistic borders. He is revered as one of the principal alchemists in the fusion of jazz with rock, funk, and Latin music. Corea has been influenced by and collaborated with various flamenco artists, including Paco de Lucía, Niño Josele, and Nino de los Reyes.
Chick Corea has continued to explore his "Spanish Heart"—the Spanish, Latin, and flamenco traditions that have influenced his distinctive sound. In 2019, Corea formed an octet called The Spanish Heart Band, which included prominent flamenco artists such as guitarist Niño Josele and dancer Nino de los Reyes. Their debut album, ""Antidote,"" features classic pieces from Corea's beloved albums "My Spanish Heart" and "Touchstone", as well as new compositions influenced by flamenco and Latin music.











































