Return To Forever Introduces New Lineup, Tour with Zappa Plays Zappa
Famed fusion group Return To Forever will formally debut its new lineup for US audiences this summer. In addition to core members Chick Corea (keys), Stanley Clarke (bass) and Lenny White (drums), Return To Forever IV’s lineup will feature Mahavishnu Orchestra alum and violin virtuoso Jean-Luc Ponty as well as guitarist Frank Gambale. The new Return To Forever will join Zappa Plays Zappa for a series of dates in August and September.
“Since all the guys in the band are such good composers, I wanted to have everyone’s compositions add to the new RTF IV vibe. So we all agreed: let’s open it up — which is the way we like it, and I think the way the fans like it too,” says Chick Corea.
The shows will kick off the two groups’ extended summer tour. Return to Forever IV played a few shows in Australia earlier this year. Return To Forever IV’s setlists will mix classics with material written for this lineup.
Return to Forever IV Tour With Zappa Plays Zappa
8/7 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE
8/8 – Buffalo, NY – UAB Center for the Arts
8/9 – Baltimore, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion
8/10 – Philadelphia, PA – Mann Center
8/11 – Boston, MA – Bank of America Pavilion
8/12 – New York, NY – The Beacon Theatre
8/13 – New York, NY – The Beacon Theatre
8/16 – Columbus, OH – The Lifestyle Communities Pavilion
8/17 – Cleveland, OH – State Theatre
8/18 – Cincinnati, OH – PNC Pavilion at Riverbend
8/19 – Detroit, MI – MeadowBrook Music Festival
8/20 – Chicago, IL – The Venue at the Horseshoe Casino
8/21 – Indianapolis, IN – The Murat
8/22 – Nashville, TN – Schermerhorn Symphony Center
8/24 – Minneapolis, MN – Orpheum Theatre
8/25 – St. Louis, MO – Fabulous Fox Theatre
8/26 – Kansas City, MO – The Midland By AMC
8/27 – Denver, CO – Paramount Theatre
8/28 – Salt Lake City, UT – Red Butte Garden
9/8 – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theatre
9/9 – Lake Buena Vista, FL – House of Blues
9/10 – Boca Raton, FL – Mizner Park Amphitheatre
9/11 – Clearwater, FL – Ruth Eckerd Hall
9/13 – Austin, TX – Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater
9/14 – Grand Prairie, TX – Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie
9/15 – Houston, TX – Verizon Wireless Theater
9/17 – Mesa, AZ – Mesa Arts Center
9/19 – San Diego, CA – Humphrey’s By the Bay
9/20 – Los Angeles, CA – Greek Theatre
9/21 – Davis, CA – Mondavi Center
9/22 – San Francisco, CA – Warfield Theatre
9/23 – Eugene, OR – Silva Concert Hall, Hult Center
9/24 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre
Minneapolis on August 24th. I can't see myself not going to that. But I must admit, without Al Di Meola and not even the Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy reunion (with Bill Connors) that was mentioned earlier this year, this lineup of RTF pales in comparison. But that being said, seeing them and ZPZ in 1 night should be one of the bigger concert events of the Summer.