CHICK COREA AND BELA FLECK: Walking the line between extremes Nathan Harris

Premiering "The Enchantment" at Wharton - Chick Corea & Bela Fleck Jay Blakesberg Photography

The story of Chick Corea and Bèla Fleck is one of walking the line between extremes: between jazz improv and formal composition, between discord and harmony, between easy friendship and professional musicianship, and between their vastly different instruments of choice, the piano and the banjo.

On Thursday, March 1, the Wharton Center hosted these two that are on tour promoting a new duet CD, “The Enchantment,” due out in May.

The evening began nearly half an hour after the posted 7:30 start time, but Corea and Fleck showed no signs of stress as they moseyed out on to the stage, Corea with a glass of water in hand.  They made a few light quips and casually settled themselves.

The two sat close together, Fleck sitting and cradling his banjo just in front of the topless grand piano Corea was playing.

Corea and Fleck are individually very accomplished (each has won multiple Grammys and other awards); together they are a musical powerhouse that fuses their talents and can send jaws dropping to the floor. 

“Señorita” by Corea led the set, and the piece showcased the well-known Spanish influences of its composer.

This was followed by Fleck’s “Menagerie,” which he said was inspired by Corea. The piece was one of those that forces the audience to really listen, with discord working its way tastefully in, and the artists tossing the lead effortlessly back and forth. It was during “Menagerie” that Corea stood up, stuck a hand into the piano, and hammered and plucked a melody straight from the strings.

Fleck also wrote “Waltz for Abby,” which was probably the audience’s first banjo waltz. It showed some beautiful and subtle interplay between banjo and piano and really displayed how little ego either of these musician has in their playing, as each was willing to take the occasional backseat role.

This easy fusion was a theme throughout the concert, with various pieces showcasing Corea and Fleck distinctives: Fleck’s blisteringly fast runs and bluegrass roots and Corea’s background in jazz and Spanish music. 

Sometimes soothing, sometimes furiously fast and deserving of the overheard comment “I’m getting worn out just listening to them,” but always masterful, Corea and Fleck left the audience feeling as high as Corea himself as exited the encore, flapping his arms and practically gliding from the stage.