Blumenthal Performing Arts brings renowned pianist-composer and 20-time Grammy winner Chick Corea to the Queen City. Corea will perform April 19th at 8 p.m. in the Knight Theater at the Levine Center for the Arts. Playing with musical greats the likes of Sarah Vaughn, Blue Mitchell and Miles Davis, Corea established himself early on as an important jazz musician, but his 1971 “Piano Improvisations, Vol. 1 and 2” for ECM cemented his position as a piano soloist and pioneer of the new genre of solo piano that remains popular today.

Chick Corea.

The April 19th performance is part of Corea’s Solo world tour in conjunction with a 2014 release of a new solo CD: “Portraits.” The performance promises to be the perfect balance of in-the-moment improvisation, Corea Classics, jazz standards, classical renderings and even some of his “Children’s Songs.” Audience members may even be surprised by Corea’s popular musical portrait series where he selects volunteers from the audience to sit beside the piano one by one. Each volunteer then receives an improvisational serenade that captures their personality musically. This unique experience inspired the title of Corea’s new solo CD.

Tickets are on sale now through Carolina Tix.  Tickets range from $19.50 to $60. A special preferred parking rate of only $5 is available for patrons in the Blumenthal’s designated garage located at 550 S. Tryon Street.