A pianist who played no small role in the development of the jazz fusion genre has passed away. Armando Anthony Corea, known professionally as Chick Corea, died at age 79 of cancer on Tuesday, February 9th.

According to a statement shared to Corea’s Facebook page by his family, the form of cancer from which he suffered was rare and only recently diagnosed. The New York Times confirmed that he passed away in his Tampa Bay home, per the family’s spokesperson, Dan Muse.

Corea left behind a letter to his fans and supporters which was shared in the statement. “I want to thank all of those along my journey who have helped keep the music fires burning bright,” it reads. It is my hope that those who have an inkling to play, write, perform or otherwise, do so. If not for yourself then for the rest of us. It’s not only that the world needs more artists, it’s also just a lot of fun.”

“And to my amazing musician friends who have been like family to me as long as I’ve known you: It has been a blessing and an honor learning from and playing with all of you,” it continued. “My mission has always been to bring the joy of creating anywhere I could, and to have done so with all the artists that I admire so dearly—this has been the richness of my life.”

Remembering Chick Corea

Chick Corea found himself at the forefront of jazz, helping to move the genre in an increasingly experimental direction. As a result, his music cross pollinated with early electronic music as he incorporated synthesizers into his compositions.

As jazz trumpeter Miles Davis incorporated more and more electronic instruments into his repertoire, Corea played electric piano for his landmark 1970 album, Bitches Brew. In 1972 Corea formed the band Return To Forever, incorporating Latin music – and then later, rock – into their extension of Davis’ jazz fusion style. His 1976 solo album, My Spanish Heart, saw him add sweeping Minimoog keyboard solos into his evolving sound.

“Chick Corea was the single greatest improvisational musician I have ever played with,” wrote rock musician John Mayer in an Instagram post. “Nobody was more open, more finely tuned to the moment, changing his approach with every new offering by the musicians around him. If you hit a wrong note, he’d immediately pick it up and play it as a motif so as to say ‘all of this has value, whether you see it or not.’ What an immeasurable loss in so many ways.”

No memorial details for Chick Corea have been shared with the public at the time of writing.