How classical music set the stage for jazz in Chick Corea’s life While pushing the boundaries of jazz, the towering pianist never abandoned the world of classical music. On February 9, the world of jazz bid a tearful goodbye to iconic jazz composer, keyboardist, bandleader and occasional percussionist Chick Corea, who died of cancer at his home in Tampa Bay, Florida, at age 79. Born Armando Anthony Corea, the legend’s father (also Armando) was a jazz trumpeter. Corea grew up surrounded by various jazz styles, ranging from Dixieland to bebop. But like so many great musicians across genres, his initial solid foundation was in classical music, and that remained an influence for the rest of his life.