Three Quartets


Three Quartets is a studio album released in 1981 by jazz pianist Chick Corea, in collaboration with tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker, bassist Eddie Gómez and drummer Steve Gadd.

Composition

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, but with jazz instrumentation.
"Quartet No. 1" uses a 1-chord solo vamp over a rock beat in 3/4, and a repeated theme that uses stacked fourths.
The third track, "Quartet No. 2 " 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 " is dedicated to jazz saxophone legend John Coltrane.

Track listing

All compositions by Chick Corea except as noted.
  1. "Quartet No. 1" –
  2. "Quartet No. 3" –
  3. "Quartet No. 2" - Part I " –
  4. "Quartet No. 2" - Part II " –
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:

  1. "Folk Song" –
  2. "Hairy Canary" –
  3. "Slippery When Wet" –
  4. "Confirmation" –
Corea plays drums on "Confirmation" instead of Steve Gadd.

Personnel

Musicians
Production