Though Chick Corea is perhaps the best-known member of Return to Forever, both for his role in founding the band and for his work outside of it, the other members have had standout careers as well.
Chick Corea, piano, keyboards. Corea's made his mark on the jazz world as a solo artist, working on a long list of projects and as a composer. Born in 1941, he started playing the piano at age 4. In his early 20s, he emerged in the jazz world, working with a string of significant musicians including Herbie Mann, Stan Getz and Miles Davis, who convinced Corea to try electric piano. His recording debut came in 1966 with "Tones for Joan's Bones," the first of what would become a massive discography. His compositions include the jazz standards "Spain," "La Fiesta" and "Windows." In 1971 he formed Return to Forever, which started out having a Brazilian feel. The band soon changed in both lineup and sound, becoming the jazz-rock fusion group it's typically remembered as. After the band dissolved in the late '70s, Corea continued playing widely, cementing his place in jazz history.
Stanley Clarke, bass. Jazz musicians can struggle with finding recognition beyond their genre, but that's not a problem for Clarke, who's played a wide range of music over the past few decades and who has made a name for himself in each of them. A Philadelphia native who as a kid played accordion, violin and cello, Clarke joined Return to Forever in its early days and stayed with the band through its brief existence. Clarke made his mark playing both electric and acoustic bass; he's moved into a more commercial range of music, as well, with R&B, funk and film score recordings, though he's continued playing jazz, too.
Lenny White, drums. The New York-born White taught himself how to play the skins -- and he was apparently a good teacher. Though he's best known for working with Return to Forever starting in 1972, when he brought a dose of funk to the band, he's also worked with the likes of Miles Davis and Jackie McLean, as well as recorded as a solo artist. Known for his versatility, White's also worked with mainstream artists such as Chaka Khan, Nancy Wilson and Big Daddy Kane.
Al Di Meola, guitar. Of the band's current lineup, Di Meola joined the last, as a 19-year-old in 1974. Despite his youth, he quickly established himself as a fusion pioneer. His work helped the band enjoy a strong measure of commercial success (1976's "Romantic Warrior" made it to the top 40) and some of his subsequent solo albums are considered jazz fusion classics. Di Meola continued maturing as a musician, eventually turning to Latin music, among which are two tributes to bandoneon master Astor Piazzolla. However, his pioneering work as a fusion guitarist remains the bedrock of his career.
-- Luciana Lopez
