RETURN TO CHICK COREA is a quartet-based musical tribute to the great jazz composer, enhanced with additional original compositions by pianist & composer Francesco Crosara created in the characteristic Spanish-infused style of Corea.
The RETURN TO CHICK COREA band was formed as a concept exchange between bassist Bruce Phares and pianist Francesco Crosara. A spirited conversation after an engaging duet performance led to the initial idea of a concert of all-Chick-Corea compositions, a natural for Crosara’s Corea-influenced keyboard virtuosity, as well as Phares’ style of bass playing. After a pilot performance, Crosara, Phares, and sax-wizard Alexey Nikolaev solidified the concept into the current “Return to Chick Corea” group with the great Mark Ivester on drums. The most recent incarnation of the band brings in guitar virtuoso Brian Monroney. The repertoire spans freely through Corea’s 5 decades of music interspersed with original compositions by Crosara written in the style of the maestro and recently released in the acclaimed album “Circular Motion”
ABOUT THE MUSICIANS
FRANCESCO CROSARA
Francesco Crosara is a Seattle-based Italian jazz pianist, composer and educator performing in a variety of formations. Crosara’s original music melds an impressive mix of jazz improvisation, a romantic vein from his classical Conservatory training in Rome, bouncy lyrical expression along with strong Latin influences. His main jazz piano influences are Chick Corea, Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, and Herbie Hancock.
Crosara stands among the European-bred jazz greats, performing over the years with the likes of Lionel Hampton, Freddie Hubbard, Roy Hargrove, Richie Cole, Bobby Shew, Ira Sullivan, Don Menza, Von Freeman, John Heard, Gabe Baltazar, Mayuto Correa, Bruce Forman, Barbara Morrison, Earl Palmer, Lilian Terry, and more. His recordings have featured a multicultural and international array of musicians. He has performed at festivals and venues across the USA, Japan, Canada, Mexico, France, Spain, and Italy.
Crosara’s latest CD project, “Circular Motion”, released in 2024 by Origin/OA2 Records, features all original material including fresh interpretations of some of his earlier repertoire, which was composed over a period of 40 years.
"A pianist who originally hails from Italy, Crosara is well-versed in bop lore, and his delicate flow might indicate a debt to Bill Evans." - Down Beat Magazine
BRIAN MONRONEY
During over three decades as a busy sideman and session musician, guitarist Brian Monroney has performed or recorded with artists including Gloria Estefan, Natalie Cole, Barry Manilow and Tom Jones (Brian toured as Sir Tom’s guitarist and Musical Director for nearly 18 years).
In addition to performing and session work, Brian works as an arranger, music copyist, and guitar teacher. Currently a resident of Tacoma, Brian has performed with a number of notable PNW artists and bands including Lee Oskar, Nearly Dan, Greta Matassa, Bill Anschell and Teatro ZinZanni.
BRUCE PHARES
Originally classically trained, after his “apprentice” time of studies after high school, Bruce Phares landed the bass chair in the celebrated Overton Berry Ensemble, which began a 40+ year deep friendship with Berry. Phares’ approach to bass playing landed him appearances with many NW region legends such as Ernestine Anderson, Jabo Ward, Floyd Standifer, Eddie Creed, Bob Nixon, Woody Woodhouse, to name a few. He also served as a rotating sideman for many national and international artists such greats as George Cables, Sir Roland Hannah, Frank Wess, Mark Murphy, Stanley Cowell, Larry Coryell, Bruce Forman, etc.
In the last 10 years, Phares has focused on leading various groupings, rejoining with old friends John Stowell, Jay Thomas, and John Bishop in his “Reunion Quartet” performances, as well as leading other groupings, with various NW luminaries such as Marc Seales, Randy Halberstadt, Bill Anschell, Hans Teuber, Jeremy Bacon, Alexy Nikolaev, Brian Monroney, etc. Phares also heads up a duet concert series on Vashon Island, “The Jam In The Atrium”, playing to packed audiences at The Vashon Center For The Arts atrium.
MARK IVESTER
Mark Ivester is a consummate drummer, widely respected for his sensitive musicianship and sincere dedication to his craft. He is experienced in many different idioms from pop-rock to big band to jazz, latin jazz and orchestral settings. Ivester’s live performance credits are extensive, having worked with such jazz luminaries as John Patitucci, Larry Coryell, Freddy Hubbard, Mal Waldron, Diane Schuur, Eliane Elias, Bud Shank, Howard Roberts, Jack Sheldon, Michael Brecker, Charlie Byrd, Barney Kessel, Frank Foster, Bob Mintzer, Randy Brecker, Tierney Sutton, Ann Hampton-Calloway, Karyn Allison and Mose Allison.
Mark’s versatility is demonstrated on a wide range of recordings such as film scores, jingles and album projects including those of R&B artist Philip Bailey of Earth Wind and Fire, Grammy award winning new-age duo Tingstad and Rumbel, Brazilian keyboardist Jovino Santos Neto and vocalist Greta Matassa. Mark is currently on the faculty of Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA.
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