In May, Minna Karas Marino successfully coordinated the Chelsea High School Class of 1959’s 59th reunion at the Homewood Suites Hotel. Her classmates, including Class President Robert Tiro, expressed considerable appreciation for her work.
Councillor-at-Large Leo Robinson has established himself as a community organizer instrumental in bringing various Chelsea events to fruition, supporting both adults and youths. Most recently, he helped coordinate the Latimer Society’s Science Carnival last month at Port Park.
These two longtime friends are now undertaking an ambitious project: organizing a major outdoor concert featuring Chelsea native Chick Corea, a Grammy-winning jazz pianist and composer.
Chelsea Memorial Stadium would serve as the venue for this summer 2019 concert.
Both Marino, who attended school with the renowned musician, and Robinson, a long-time friend of Corea’s, have made contact with him regarding a performance in his native city. According to reports, Corea has expressed interest in the project. They intend to discuss the concert further when they meet with Corea at his performances at Sculler’s Jazz Club this month.
Robinson indicated that proceeds from the Chelsea concert would fund a scholarship bearing Chick Corea’s name.
Planning for the concert is already underway, as both Karas Marino and Robinson have confirmed.
“We’ve inquired about the staging, sound system, field covering, and a tent, just in case it rains,” said Robinson.
Lenny Nelson, a Chelsea native and the original drummer for the Corea band, is expected to perform several songs alongside Corea at the stadium concert.
According to Karas Marino, Corea has consistently shown warmth and generosity toward his Chelsea friends. “I was at his concert at the Wilbur and it was my birthday,” recalled Karas Marino. “Chick had everyone in the audience, about 1,000 people, sing “Happy Birthday” to me. He’s the most gracious person. I once brought 14 people backstage to see him and he was so nice to everyone.”
The musician, whose real name is Armando Anthony Corea, has achieved remarkable success in his career. He has won more than 20 Grammy Awards and received more than 60 nominations. Since 1972, he has been married to jazz musician Gayle Moran.
Karas Marino and Corea’s friendship dates back to their time together at the Williams School. During those years, Corea would regularly perform for classmates and friends, demonstrating his talents on piano, trumpet, and drums. He participated in the choral club under the direction of the late Alvin Toltz.
“Chick was always a fabulous musician,” recalled Karas Marino. “You could see his tremendous talent. Everyone knew he was headed for greatness. His father [Armando] and his band performed at some socials when we were ninth graders at the Williams School.”
“His father was a great musician, too,” said Robinson.
Armando Anthony Corea, known professionally as Chick Corea, has had an extraordinary musical career. He has received 22 Grammy Awards and been nominated more than 60 times.
The concert organizers anticipate that thousands of fans will attend and celebrate Corea’s homecoming. A pre-concert dinner or barbecue at a local hotel may be arranged as part of the festivities.
“This will be a coming-home celebration for one of the greatest jazz artists in music history,” said Robinson. “We know that everyone in Chelsea will want to be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime event.”
(A special Chick Corea Trio event for Chelsea residents will take place at the 9 p.m. show on Sunday, Sept. 23 at Sculler’s Jazz Club. Chelsea residents wishing to attend should reference the Robinson/Karas Marino table when purchasing tickets).