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Return to Forever is an American jazz fusion band founded by pianist Chick Corea in 1972. The band has had many members, with bassist Stanley Clarke being the only consistent bandmate of Corea's. The band's first edition included singer and percussionist Flora Purim, her husband Airto Moreira on drums and percussion, and Joe Farrell on saxophone and flute. Farrell's saxophone solo in the song La Fiesta is particularly notable.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the saxophonist | Joe Farrell |
| Instrument played by Joe Farrell | Saxophone and Flute |
| Year of recording | 1972 |
| Genre | Jazz fusion |
| Band members | Chick Corea, Joe Farrell, Stanley Clarke, Flora Purim, Airto Moreira |
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What You'll Learn
Joe Farrell played the saxophone
Farrell's saxophone solo on the track "Crystal Silence" has been described as "dreamy" and "soulful". The track also features wordless female jazz vocals, Corea's keyboards, and percussion by Moreira. Farrell's saxophone work has been said to make Return to Forever sound like a "mellow version of Weather Report".
Farrell's saxophone playing is also prominent on the track "La Fiesta", where he is said to "shine" with his solo. The piece ends with a "jubilant turn to castanets and pulse-quickening flamenco style".
Farrell was part of the final incarnation of the Return to Forever band in 1977, which featured Corea, Clarke, a four-piece horn section, and Corea's wife, Gayle Moran, on vocals. They recorded only one studio album, Musicmagic (1977), before Chick Corea officially disbanded the group in 1978.
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Joe Farrell played flute too
Jazz musician Joe Farrell, born Joseph Carl Firrantello, was a multi-instrumentalist who primarily played the saxophone and flute. He is known for his work with Chick Corea's Return to Forever, a jazz fusion band founded by pianist Chick Corea in 1972. The initial incarnation of the band included Farrell on saxophone and flute, alongside singer and percussionist Flora Purim, her husband Airto Moreira on drums and percussion, and bassist Stanley Clarke.
Farrell's talent extended beyond the saxophone, as he was also a skilled flutist. He contributed a flute solo to Aretha Franklin's hit "Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)" in 1973. Farrell's flute playing was also featured prominently on Santana's track "When I Look into Your Eyes" from the same year. In addition, he recorded "Flute Talk" with Sam Most in 1979, which showcased his prowess on the instrument.
Beyond his work with Return to Forever, Farrell had a diverse career. He recorded with notable musicians such as Charles Mingus, Andrew Hill, Jaki Byard, Players Association, and Elvin Jones. After the passing of John Coltrane, Farrell joined Elvin Jones' trio, which also included Jimmy Garrison. They recorded two albums for Blue Note in 1968.
Farrell's skill on the flute was recognised by his contemporaries. Saxophonist Bill Kirchner described him as "one of the finest jazz flutists". He specifically praised Farrell's playing on the alto flute, stating that he hadn't heard a better-sounding one on a jazz record.
In addition to his musical contributions, Farrell also left a legal legacy. In 2008, his daughter, Kathleen Firrantello, filed a lawsuit against several rappers, including Kanye West and Common, for allegedly using portions of Farrell's 1974 musical composition "Upon This Rock" without approval.
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Farrell played a saxophone solo on Crystal Silence
Joe Farrell played the saxophone in the jazz fusion band Return to Forever, founded by pianist Chick Corea in 1972. Farrell was a saxophonist and flautist in the band. The album Return to Forever was recorded in 1972 but was not released in the USA until 1975.
Farrell played a saxophone solo on "Crystal Silence", a piece that is considered one of the most beautiful jazz tracks. The track features Chick Corea on piano, Airto Moreira on percussion, and Stanley Clarke on bass. Farrell's saxophone solo on "Crystal Silence" is described as "dreamy" and "soulful", complementing Corea's meditative piano work and the shimmery percussion accents by Airto. The piece is melody-driven and has just enough tonal V-I to make it ambiguous.
Farrell's saxophone playing on "Crystal Silence" showcases the creative use of notes and chords by Corea through his piano. The track is also notable for its absence of vocals, with Farrell's saxophone taking centre stage. This version of Return to Forever, which included Farrell, is considered one of the most influential fusion ensembles of the 20th century.
Farrell's contribution to "Crystal Silence" and other tracks on the album showcases his talent as a saxophonist and flautist. His solo on "Crystal Silence" specifically highlights his ability to create a dreamy and soulful atmosphere through his saxophone playing, complementing the other instruments in the band and elevating the overall composition.
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Joe Farrell played a saxophone solo on La Fiesta
Joe Farrell was an American jazz multi-instrumentalist, who played the saxophone and flute. He was born in 1937 in Chicago Heights, Illinois, and began his musical training early, first playing the flute and then adding the clarinet and saxophone by the time he was 13. Farrell played in the initial incarnation of Chick Corea's jazz-fusion group Return to Forever, as well as the last. He was a founding member of the group, which was founded in 1972.
Return to Forever is a jazz fusion album by Chick Corea, recorded over two days in February 1972 but not released in the USA until 1975. The album features singer Flora Purim, bassist Stanley Clarke, and percussionist Airto Moreira. Farrell is credited as a flautist and saxophonist on the album.
Joe Farrell played a saxophone solo on "La Fiesta", which is described as "jubilant" with "pulse-quickening flamenco style". "La Fiesta" was composed by Chick Corea and features on the B-side of the Return to Forever album. Farrell's solo is accompanied by Corea's "interactive melodic background" and Clark's exceptional bass playing.
Farrell was a skilled saxophonist and woodwind player, who was also a bandleader and sought-after sideman. He recorded with numerous jazz artists, including Charles Mingus, Andrew Hill, Jaki Byard, and Elvin Jones. Farrell also contributed tenor saxophone and oboe solos to pop and R&B albums, including Hall & Oates' "Abandoned Luncheonette" and James Brown's funk singles.
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The final Return to Forever line-up included a four-piece horn section
Return to Forever is an American jazz fusion band founded by pianist and keyboardist Chick Corea in 1972. The band has had many members, with bassist Stanley Clarke being the only consistent bandmate of Corea's. The initial lineup included Corea, Clarke, drummer Lenny White, and guitarist Bill Connors.
The first edition of Return to Forever performed primarily Latin-oriented music. This lineup consisted of singer and percussionist Flora Purim, her husband Airto Moreira on drums and percussion, Corea's longtime musical collaborator Joe Farrell on saxophone and flute, and Stanley Clarke on bass.
In 1974, 19-year-old Al Di Meola replaced Connors. The final incarnation of Return to Forever featured Corea, Clarke, and Farrell, along with a four-piece horn section and Corea's wife, Gayle Moran, on vocals. This lineup recorded only one studio album, 'Musicmagic' (1977), before Chick Corea officially disbanded the group in 1978.
Joe Farrell's saxophone playing is a prominent feature of Return to Forever's sound. He plays a dreamy, soulful saxophone solo on Crystal Silence, accompanied by Chick Corea's meditative piano work. Farrell also shines with his saxophone solo on "La Fiesta", showcasing his interactive playing with Corea's melodic background.
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Frequently asked questions
Joe Farrell played the saxophone on Chick Corea's Return to Forever.
Aside from the saxophone, Joe Farrell also played the flute.
Joe Farrell played with Chick Corea on "La Fiesta".
Yes, Joe Farrell played the saxophone on the song "Crystal Silence".
Yes, Joe Farrell was a part of Chick Corea's band Return to Forever. He was one of the original members of the band.
