Return To Forever

The highly anticipated show with the new Return to Forever IV lineup did not live up to the hype. Even before the band took the stage, there was trouble brewing. Following an exciting performance by Zappa Plays Zappa, the shear brilliance and tin ears of a sound engineer took center stage. The overall PA volume was cranked up to provide a constant buzz and hiss even when there was no sound being generated by an instrument. Grand pianos don't buzz on each note. This is 2011, not the 70's. There is no reason not to have crisp, full sound, especially in a decent theater. Zappa Plays Zappa was an excellent experience. Undaunted, Return to Forever IV took the stage bowing to the crowd and each other, a little over the top. The music was focused on electronic based tunes with a couple of acoustic numbers blended in. Being a fan of these guys in various other bands and configurations this performance lacked the creativity and expertise that could have been. It was apparent they had played these songs to death, so why bother there are so many other songs to play. They could have been so much better. For these prices this didn't measure up. Catch them in a different configuration. Zappa Plays Zappa delivered on almost every tune. Frank Gambale joined them for an encore performance of Hot Rats. Great tune and performance.

Fantastic concert! Brought me back to the good old days in the mid-'70s in San Luis Obispo. All the musicians were outstanding, and, it was a great crowd!!!!

I enjoyed the shows; especially Zappa. I would go again. Hopefully next time in Agoura at the Canyon Club.

This concert was one of the best I've been to in years. Both bands were fantastic and played longer then expected. If you have the oppertunity to see either band I would highly recommend you do so. To see them on the same ticket is just amazing.

Wow! What great music! Each musician in RTF4 is a super-star in his own right and was a joy to hear!! Don't have to go to heaven now because we heard the best group ever!!! Stanley Clarke is in a different universe from the rest of us. Don't know where he gets his amazing technique and musicianship but he is more than the best!! Ponty still has it and was a seamless fit with the group. Loved to hear him again. Gambale wowed everyone again with his lightning technique. White made even drums solos enjoyable. Corea matched their amazing performance and kept everyone tight. Their music was, with no reservations, absolutely enjoyable!!! I could hear them all over again! Each RTF/JLP piece was more wonderful than the last but due to late start we had to leave at 11pm before the concert was over, as we had an hour drive back to Rochester and had to work the next day. Very frustrating!!! We were in the balcony which was like an oven all night. Heard comments from the many people also leaving at the same time complaining of heat. Also the changeover from Zappa to RTF took 30 minutes!! Would have preferred to be listening to the whole concert instead of baking and waiting. Disappointed with the UB site and technical support. Will never again get balcony seats at UB.

It was a great show, but the sound guys should turn down the kick drum and the bass.....the kick drum was WAY too loud and overpowering, and it was hard to hear the notes of the bass (and with a bass player like Stanley, that is a shame). It was a little better when he was on the upright, but I do think this should be addressed. The sound was actually better for the opener, Dweezil Zappa, than it was for Chick Corea's band.

When I purchased the tickets my intial interest was in Zappa plays Zappa. So I figured I had a chance to also see some real jazz masters assembled on one stage and that would be a bonus. Well, Zappa plays Zappa was great as usual, can't say enough about that, but Return to Forever quite simply blew me away!!! I am not a big jazz fan but do love all music and to see these guys working there stuff was truly incredible. I could go on and on about this solo or that song but these guys put on a show. The only thing I will elaborate on though, and not at the cost of the other guys on stage, was Stanley Clarke and his bass. I have seen a lot of bass players and some were really really good, but what Stanley Clarke does with a bass words can't begin to touch. Simply he is on a different plain, just awesome, a real treat to see. Couple that with the 4 other superb musicians on stage and you have the recipe for some dynamite music. I only hope to have the opportunity to see them again

Return to Forever displayed musical genius on scale so high, they set the bar too high for anyone else to even see. These guys have been around for 40 years and showed no sigh of letting up. They are musician's musicians and they easily packed the house.

Opening act (really!) Zappa plays Zappa was a fabulous concert all by itself! Dweezil and his excellent band performed a wonderful selection of Frank's music, including Dancin' Fool, Pojama People, Don't You Ever Wash That Thing?, among others, and offered up a great encore with Willie the Pimp, and Peaches En Regalia. Five stars, all the way! Enter Return To Forever IV, one of the most talented groups of musicians you will ever see, and they did not disappoint. Chick Corea, Jean Luc Ponty, Stanley Clarke, Lenny White, and Frank Gambale lit the place up with a wide selection of material.Medieval Overture, Senor Mouse, After the Cosmic Rain, a jaw-dropping rendition of Ponty's solo composition Renaissance, Romantic Warrior. I don't have enough superlatives to describe this performance, let's just say . . , these guys absolutely killed it!!! The joy they get from playing their music just pours out of them, and the joy the audience has at hearing them just flows right back. This was a fantastic concert from opening note to last!

what an incredible experience to hear these legendary musicians all in one setting. we were able to hear them perfom solo and also to hear the amazing sounds they create together. it ws also a great pleasure to hear jean luc ponty,who is newer to the return to forever group, add his magical sounds to the ensemble's pieces. he was simply amazing, as was stanley clarke's perfomance on not only bass but the cello as well. do people realize what an unbeleivabe performance this is, and at such a low price to hear all these performers in one evening?? this crowd did; i don' t think i have ever been part of a more enthusiastic crowd.. zappa plays zappa was aslo excellent, many fantastic musicians and songs.

I don't know that I've ever seen a better opening band than Zappa Plays Zappa. More talent in that band than 99% of all featured bands. And then there was Return to Forever. What can I say, unbelievable talent. Best concert I've seen in a long time. Each band alone was worth the price of admission.

Wow - they were both great - crisp / in synch - TIGHT

I'm not a die hard fan of either group but I have a tendency to like different things. Return to Forever (RtF) had about 20 minutes of uninspired disconnection that finally got a groove going. Most of the problem was that these are headliners playing together and I feel a session of any of them alone with backup might be better than the group together. The Zappas had great chemistry and did amazing work and it brought tears to my eyes. Every one of them worked without the baggage RtF had and the final result was clearly in mind.

What a match-up! I expected Zappa Plays Zappa to be amazing, but they surpassed my expectations. Every member of the 8-piece band was a master musician, and they played very complicated music as if they were one person. Totally amazing! Dweezil's Gibson SG guitar brought back fond memories of Frank's guitar solos, and Dweezil has some chops! The sax/keyboard/vocalist member was unbelievable as well. The Nanook of the North/Don't Eat Yellow Snow/St. Alphonzo's Pancake Breakfast piece showcased each member of the band and really raised the energy level. Then came Return to Forever, with a completely different stage set-up and different feel. The stage was elegant and open, leaving room to clearly see each member of the band. Lenny White's drum kit was turned sideways to better see what Lenny was doing, which was quite a bit! Jean Luc Ponty, as always, was a melodic genius. Chick Corea is so comfortable at his keyboards, he was able to play complicated passages while giving signals to the soundperson (who was having a TERRIBLE night). Stanley Clarke--a show in himself, with his unique style of bass playing and incredible showmanship. Frank Gambale had to miss the first entire piece because of sound problems, but showed himself to be up to the task in later pieces with his lightning-fast but always clear playing. Overall, this show was very satisfying and showed that musicians like these just improve with age.

I went to this concert with a group of friends, having heard of the musicians, but admittedly not being very familiar with their music. I am so glad that I decided to go! This was one of the best concerts I have attended in years! First, the venue was great! Stage AE in Pittsburgh is a perfect setting for this type of concert, and the concept of designing a stage for both outdoor and indoor concerts is sheer genius. It was a beautiful summer night in the 'Burgh, so the stage was set facing the outdoor amphitheater. Dweezil Zappa and his band took the stage first, and delivered a tight, eclectic set consisting of the music of his late father, Frank Zappa. (Of course any collection of Zappa's music could be considered eclectic.) The band was truly amazing, and ripped through the incredibly difficult music with ease. Kudos to Dweezil for hanging out at the edge of the stage after his set to sign autographs and shake hands. After a brief intermission, Return to Forever began their portion of the concert, which we found out was their first show in the United States after having toured Europe for several months. Let me just say that I was speechless! Each one of the members of the band could put on an incredible show individually, but together they were indescribable! Being a guitarist and bassist myself, my attention was focused primarily on bassist Stanley Clarke and guitarist Frank Gambale. After resolving a technical problem with his amp setup, Frank Gambale played effortlessly and with great precision, making it all look too easy. And what can be said about Stanley Clarke that hasn't already been said? I have a theory that Stanley Clarke is actually an alien visitor to our planet, because the things he did with both electric and acoustic basses were not humanly possible! In conclusion, I'll just say that I had a wonderful time, and this concert was an experience I will not soon forget. Thank you RTF and Dweezil and company for a perfect evening!

Great Show RTF and Zappa what a combination. Thanks for giving Pittsburgh the type of Jazz show we are use to.

Return to Forever IV was AMAZING! The group performed for an hour and forty minutes w/very little chatter in between compositions. Their performance was mesmerizing. Chic Corea, Stanley Clark, and Jon Luponty are every bit as good if not better than the first time I saw them, 34 years ago at the Syria Mosque. These seasoned professional are a joy to watch and listen to. My husband and I LOVED the concert!

It was an honor to see the 5 legendary musicians in Return to Forever IV, who shaped a genre in music, still amaze today with their excellent playing and stage communication. Plus, they were having a blast and were very appreciative of the perfectly receptive crowd who gave a standing ovation before they even played one note! Two wonderful encores were evoked by Chic Corea even though the union riggers were telling him he had to quit! Ha! Don't miss this milestone and memorable concert. Dweezil Zappa did his papa Frank Zappa proud with an equally talented ensemble shifting through stylistic changes and rhythms with ease. To the uninitiated, and I include those that only know Yellow Snow, you ears will be opened to sophisticated difficult music that also can make you laugh at times. Plus, they really could groove. The venue, Stage AE, is well thought out, comfortable, and a real pleasure to see any concert. Catch this historical show and make some great memories for yourself!

I went to one of the best concerts of my life. I grew up loving Frank Zappa but he he died (of prostate cancer) before I got to ever see him. Now his son, Dweezil has put a band together to play his father's music. Zappa plays Zappa was the first time I have heard the music live and through such a good sound system. Then came Return to Forever with jazz greats Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Lenny White, Jean-Luc Ponty & Frank Gambale. Geepers were they good. The crowd went bonkers.

Okay first time at the AE Stage - nice venue! Glad the weather held I usual love Return to Forever -but they had a lot of technical difficulties Was not liking the dude in the hat! - Did not due any thing for me. I know they just came from Europe so maybe that was it! I enjoyed them more in 2008 at the Plain Dealer Pavilion They just seemed off!

Definitely the most virtuosic musical performance in the jazz-rock milieu to play the Burgh this year. Zappa brings the humor, a rich sonic display (with lots of percussion), and great musicianship. Return to Forever includes some of the best musicians in the world.

A great evening of music from Zappa to Return To Forever. The Return to Forever quintet is a reunion of jazz legends playing the fusion that they pioneered 40 years ago. A true possible "once in a lifetime moment ".

Zappa was better than expected. Quite worth hearing although I don't love the music. RTF was beyond expectations. Started a bit slowly but became extraordinary in a hurry! Stanley has never been better and adding John Luc Ponty to the mix was brilliant! Chick was great and it all worked like they had been doing it forever - taking music they helped create to the next level .... not ot be missed.

The RTF show at Stage AE in Pittsburgh on August 7th was the first of an extended US tour, following a summer tour overseas. It would have been a good idea to have checked out all the gear after arriving back in North America. Sound and public address glitches marred the first half of the show. The Stage AE sound crew cannot be blamed since the live sound for Dweezil Zappa's band was flawless (with even more intricate instrumentation than RTF). The RTF show began with Frank Gambale mostly kneeling in front of his effects board checking cables and a tech squatting in front of and behind his amp examining patches and inputs. Lenny White's drums were way down in the mix early on, perhaps only heard out front through stage monitors. Shortly thereafter, during a semi drum solo during a vamp in one of the early numbers, the drums got turned up inexplicably and were grossly distorted and sounded like 4th of July fireworks, the bass drum and toms were so deep and distorted. The first time Chick played acoustic piano, it sounded grotesque and trebly, like a bad acoustic piano patch through a cheap keyboard with a short in the cable to the amplifier. Finally, Stanley Clarke's wonderful acoustic bass solo on Jean Luc Ponty's lovely composition, Renaissance, was mostly seen and barely heard (again, thank goodness for stage monitiors putting out some semblance of the sound on stage forward to the audience). Throughout parts of the show, Chick could be seen motioning to stage hands and making gestures that seemed to indicate he was not hearing things especially well on stage. Only Mr. Ponty seemed to have had his gear hooked up appropriately and played problem free. By somewhere past midpoint in the show, either the sound guys out in the amphitheater managed to fix the mix and compensate for problems on stage, or the road crew finally got it right and all the instruments could be heard and the balance was good among all instruments. From that point on the band totally rocked! (or jazzed, as the case may be). An acoustic song near the end of the show with Corea on acoustic piano, Clarke on acoustic bass and Gambale on archtop guitar finally got it right with the acoustic instruments. The sound of the bass and acoustic piano were full and beautiful, which only served as a bitter reminder of the earlier shrill piano and the bass solo lost to poor sound reproduction. The music being played was exceptional. Too bad technical glitches and poor sound feeds spoiled an otherwise noteworthy show. Just when everything got sorted out and the band started to really smoke, it was time to end the performance.

wife and i took our boys (one home for the wknd from phoenix). Zappa was the attraction for these guys but rtf blew them away. Stanley Clarke was crazy good as always, but it was a stage full of legendary players. do yourself a favor and go, then thank me.

THE SHOW WAS GOOD. IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE THEM HERE MORE.

The venue was super. Even though the place was fairly full, food and drinks were easy to get with minor queues. Both bands were really tight with superb players. Zappa and RTF IV were as good as I remember them from the 70s. Dweezil did a great job channeling his dad's guitar. Jean Luc Ponte was amazing!

I knew Sunday evening's Return to Forever concert was going to be great and they did not disappoint us. Those guys were absolutely BRILLIANT! I hope they will return to Pittsburgh frequently!

I guess I can't say it was for the whole concert, only Return to Forever... ZPZ had phenomenal sound... Stanley looked like he was playing a killer solo, ya just couldn't hear it. Gamble didn't play on two tunes cause his rig wasn't working... Chick had to constantly call the monitor guys over for adjustments... When they got Gamble's guitar working it was buried in the mix. Jean Luc's violin sounded good, but was VERY prominent... There was no clarity between the different toms Lenny was hitting... I don't know if Stage AE was running the sound or if it was people from RTF, but whoever it was, they need to be shown the door... RTF didn't seem very "tight"... It was their first concert in the states coming back from Europe, but places just seemed sloppy. Not as tight as I expected it...

Both bands were indeed excellent! Dweezl gave us a sampling of the George Duke era Zappa.. Opened with "Don't You Ever Wash That Thing?" Cheepnis, Pojama People,Fifty Fifty, Zombie Woof, Big Swifty, Yellow Snow,Nanook Rubs It,St Alfonzo's Pancake Breakfast and Father Oblivion ...perhaps later in the tour Jean Luc Ponty will be persuaded to play some violin with them, as there was no JLP scorching violin solo on Fifty Fifty( as captured on the Overnight Sensation album) RTF was great...they played classic RTF songs like Romantic Warriors and Senior Mouse with the arrangements accommodating Jean Luc Ponty's strings...not too much flat out soloing..( I was hoping for a Lenny White drum solo) but Stanley Clarke came close...They played some solo materiel like JLP's "Renaissance." My friend and I were elated to get his wish come true when RTF encored with Stanley's" School Daze"

What a special treat to see these five legends performing at the same time, on the same stage. Pure virtuosity, great sound, all so perfectly executed. This was their first U.S. show after a long tour in Europe, and these guys clearly were having a great time.

the concert was mind awakening.....a dream for edgey jazz lovers, who appreciate more than elevator jazz...the performers were at their best and the audience appreciated every moment....

I finally got a picture with my old friend Chick Corea last night at the Mann Center in Philadelphia. I created a special MiniMoog synthesizer for Chick back around 1975. If I may be so bold, the sounds of that special synth literally changed the shape of Chick's upcoming Romantic Warrior album, and possibly even the shape of Jazz fusion as we know it! Chick was with two of the three other original Return To Forever members Stanley Clark, & Lenny White last night. Al DiMeola was conspicuously absent, BUT... with Jean-Luc Ponty on violin and Frank Gambale on guitar, you've got what might easily be described as one of the world's best concert happenings ever! Critical reviews seem to reflect that sentiment. RTF Rules! DAMN! That was a GREAT show and awesome experience!!!!

It's refreshing to see such talented musicians perform together. It's an opportunity to see the living legends jam.

I mainly bought the tickets to see Zappa Plays Zappa, as my husband is a huge fan of Frank Zappa, but I was blown away by the musical abilities of Return to Forever IV. I had never heard of them prior to the show and I am so glad we stuck around for them! Dweezil Zappa and Co. put on a fantastic show and Scheila Gonzales was flawless on the sax! I thoroughly enjoyed myself and the venue.

One of the Top 5 shows I have ever seen! If you can see them, I recommend you do!

Great performance, great venue to watch the masters at work. Stanley stole the show, not easy among that crowd!

See these guys, true masters of music and thier instruments. Jean- Luc Ponty is an excellent addition to the mix making RTF even thicker and more beautiful than ever and Frank Gambale is a perfect match for the band. I feel that Frank plays rock and blues in the moments that needed it with much more grace, passion, experience and soul than DiMeola did. Sorry for Al but that is just the way I heard it. There is a reason they put Stanley Clarke in the middle of the stage, hands down the best Bass player in the world and I have seen them all from Sheehan (at the Warfield with Vai which was amazing) to Tony Levin doing improvs with LTE. Together they blend very well with the maestro Chick Corea and Lenny White who are also among the best ever in the world, truly. The group I was with all say that this is the best show they have ever seen and some of us were old enough to see Hendrix a couple of times among many other greats. There was a lot of love from the band as well with some good interaction with the audience which really made the night extra special and unforgettable.

Wow !!! It's really hard to review this show without sounding over the top. This show exceeded my expectations for this long time RTF fan. Jean Luc Ponte was a perfect fit for this band, it sounded so natural to the vibe. All masters of their respective instruments. Gambale filled his role perfectly as well. Opening the show was Zappa Plays Zappa. Superlative as always with this band. Thank you Dweezil for keeping Franks music alive !!!!

It is such a rare treat to see actual musicians who can play instruments other than a Casio and a beat machine and can improvise on a whim. The talent level in this band is incredible, and to watch them feed off each other's energy and that of the crowd was a pleasure to witness. I thoroughly enjoyed their setlist, and they confirmed my suspicion that they were a band that MUST be seen live. Chick, Stanley, Lenny, Jean-Luc and Frank were even more crisp than the live recordings I have from the seventies. Truly amazing. I will be adding them to my "don't miss" list moving forward.

RTF IV is an amazing group of musicians. We saw the concert the night before at the Mondavi Center in Davis and it was spectacular in every way. The Warfield is a rotten venue: It is dirty, poorly-maintained, and has inadequate eating facilities. But worst of all, the sound system was terrible--the musicians were over-amplified causing distortion and a volume so unpleasantly loud that even with ear plugs in it was impossible to enjoy the music. The reefer smoke was so thick that it was difficult to see and to breathe. Many audience members near us were so sloppily drunk/stoned that they were a distraction from the music. I should think these super talented musicians would be outraged to know how their music was presented. I will not attend an event at the Warfield again.

My first time to see Return to Forever and I was blown away by the musicianship and synchronicity. Stanley Clarke plays bass like no one else on this planet. Dweezil Zappa playing his father's music was so amazing - it made me happy and sad at the same time: happy to hear it being played live, and sad that Frank was taken from us too soon. He was a true genius. Thank you Dweezil!

Dweezil Zappa and his band were tight and memorable. They had it going on and I would definitely see again. This was my 8th time seeing Return to Forever and it was weak. The sound was excessively loud and the set list was non-melodic. They have a much better repetoire than they displayed at the Warfield

Excellent concert, you really got your moneys worth with two headliners for the price of one. With Zappa I must say that the student has become the master-he plays as well if not better than his Dad. The eight piece band cranked out a lot of sound; they rocked, they jazzed-Dweezil's solos were mind blowing. RTF was good-but they really needed more stage time-Frank Gambale only took one extended solo-it was killer, but I wanted to hear more from him-the closing song-School Days by Stanley-one of my all time favorite songs-was very well done; great interplay between Frank and Stanley. Chick sounded good, but it seemed as if they were having some technical difficulties with the Keys. Jean Luc Ponty stretched out on a few songs and played magnifcently.

Great all around! Chick, Stan, Mr Smith, Monsieur Luc and Sir Gambale were off the proverbial reservation!

This latest assemblage of Return to Forever was in fine form. Each member of this quintet is a virtuoso given equal rank with no front man on the stage. The true standout, however, was the incomparable Stanley Clarke, a true genius of the bass guitar and double bass. The music was at once engrossing, mesmerizing, and uplifting -- an exhilarating experience.

the most amazing set of musicians performing live! The most amazing concert I have ever These guys are at the top of their game. Truly a concert you won't want to miss.

Zappa was fantastic the band was great and the sound was perfect. I can't say the same for RTF. The sound mix was horriable, you could not here Lenny or frank hardly at all.Stanley was way to loud and booming as was chick. Jean Luc was a little loud also. Which unfortunately made the show hard to listen to. It just goes to show what a good sound guy can do.

As hot as Gambale is, this situation presents him with a problem. Di Meola communicates in clear tones. These were the central body lines of the original work. Gambale's sound is rich and complex. It is absolutely recognizable, totally hypnotic: WARNING: MAY INDUCE FLASHBACKS. But he can't flip a switch and draw clear lines. I don't want him to. If I had any complaint, it's that I didn't "hallucinate" enough. Of course I'm joking--that was plenty for me. But how do we reconcile these conflicting visions of perfection? In this context, sometimes we need clear lines.

The opening act, Zappa plays Zappa, played way too long. I saw RTF earlier this year, with no opening act, and it was a better show for that reason alone. RTF sounded great, although the volume on Jean Luc Ponty's violin was way too high and hard to listen to at times. My major criticism has to do with the neighborhood immediately surrounding the Warfield, which was seedy and disgusting. We would never go to a show there again, no matter who is playing.

Who cares that the crowd was older. The young crowd needs to get out there and see what true musicianship is all about. Jean Luc with RTF was something special....he fit in well. I didn't even miss Al, as Frank is quite capable to say the least. The core of Chick, Stanley & Lenny is always solid and we take for granted how phenomenal they have been for so long. Weather Report and these guys set the standard. Dweezil was Icing on the cake....should have played FZ's "50/50" together!!!!

Pretty amazing for band leader Chick Corea who just turned 70 years old. Placing Frank Gambale and Jean Luc Ponty in the band was a smoking idea. Hats off to Al who appears to have his own busy touring schedule, Frank G. fit right in, and has an obvious star energy. It was wonderful the hear RTF play the classic Ponty tune Renaissance, one of my faves from the '70's Can't say enough about the band. The concert hall itself was a bit boomy and at times it was hard to hear the guitar and violin. Also, the stage hands did not set Chicks synth up correctly which totally impacted the performance on the first number (big bummer). Big 10 out of 10 for the band 5 out of ten for the Hall and the stage crew.

RTF was great but too loud for that small theater. Clarke is still faster than hell on bass. Jean Luc was great, always wanted to see them. Frank handled the complex melodies. Everything was great all around

This was at least the 15th time I've seen RTF, going all the way back to Light as a Feather days, and it is the first time I've felt that they weren't playing "together" as a band. Stanley was over the top with funkiness, but less interested in blending in. Chick only occasionally seemed into it, but was great when he was in that zone. Lenny did very little of interest. Frank Gambale was close to boring (and overlooked in this set up). Jean-Luc Ponty seemed to be having problems at first, then zoned in and was very good. If this was your first show, I'm sure it would have been great. But it was lacking some connectedness. One other issue -- they played a bit too loudly, so sounds blurred together.

A superb show! The musicians are legends and this was evident.

My heroes. I learned how to play listening to these guys. Kinda tripping on it. I'm not a kid anymore bummer.

Both sets were awesome; Dweezel plays his fathers music extremely well. We were not aware that there would be nowhere to sit on the main floor. Fortunately we got there early enough to nab a bar stool... All in all a most worthwhile and very special event

Amazing show! Zappa Plays Zappa was a perfect opener. Return to Forever was an intellectual and spiritually uplifting experience... It was truly an unforgettable evening.

Absolutely amazing. One of the best shows I have ever seen. The sound was incredible. Every note was clear and wonderful. Did I mention this show was Amazing?

The five stars are for the Return to Forever IV crew only. They were amazing, as one would expect living jazz legends to be. They were just mind blowing. And the joy they showed playing with each other was palpable.

It was my first time at the Greek, and it's a great venue! I've not had much exposure the the music of Zappa before and it's a very interesting sound and some very challenging pieces for the musicians to play.. Very enjoyable!! This variant of RTF is amazing! Frank Gambale on guitar is an interesting addition in place of Al Di Meola.. The addition of Jean Luc Pnnty to the core group is very tasty as I expected it would be.. And the core of Corea, Clarke and White is still amazing! Those cats have played so much together that they are an integrated unit on stage! Lenny's drumming is tight and right on, Stanley's bass is always amazing, especially the upright, and Chick's keyboard work is beyond fantastic!

This concert was AMAZING! I went in with high expectations but these guys exceeded my expectations by a mile. Chick and the gang were all superb but the highlight for me was Stanley Clarkes acoustic bass solo which was phenomenal!

Dweezil Zappa opened with his band and did his dad proud...and then some! Each member of the band rocked as did the music ... textured, layered and played the way it was intended. Zappa Plays Zappa was phenomenal! I overhead one person say "I came to see Chick Corea, but this was amazing." Chick Corea and Return To Forever IV got their groove on and stepped it up several notches beyond forever. Again, they kicked it in on all fronts, Corea the true maestro on keyboards, Luc Ponty slinging that bow, Gambale a true virtuoso, Stanley Clarke slapping stand-up bass, Lenny White keeping the beat. Then, Dweezil Zappa joined the band for an encore number that still has hairs standing up on my body. In a word: Mindblowing! The music was still resonating inside me two days later.

The Zappa set was amazing and nostalgic for this old FZ fan. My first time to see ZPZ, I was very impressed with the talent and versatility of the band. Dweezil was of course great on his riffs, but every other member was also. There were many aspects carried over from the past that make us older fans feel right at home. The band was tight, transitions were seamless and even the vocals were very reminiscent. Cameras were ok, no video allowed, and Dweezil hung around for a long time on stage edge during set change to get close with fans. I'm new to RTF as a group, but am familiar with the works of most of the members and they did not disappoint, I am an RTF fan now. Stanley's work on the bases was awesome, bringing tremors across the floor. Jen Luc's virtuosity was obvious and fit well with Chick's skills on the keys. Frank and Lenny were new to me, but I'm now seeking more of their work because they were each masters at driving the rhythms. The final encore was just totally amazing. Don't miss this show, it is quite an experience to sit in front of so much talent! (Didn't know about cameras being allowed, sorry for cell photos)

Have had the good fortune to see Chick on several occasions. This event (complete with Zappy Plays Zappa.......joined by Chick for one number) , the venue , the sound quality , the relaxed atmosphere and of course the fantastic musicianship is the most enjoyable concert ever. I was almost on a flight to Houston to see them again the next evening.

Once again I am amazed at the abilities of the members of this outfit.I can't believe how easy the guys make it look.It was a hot night in S. Florida and they played their assess off.The sound was excellent and our seats were great.Stanley Clark has to be the one of the most enjoyable people to watch master his craft.He always has a good time on stage and it shows.He beckoned the crowd to the stage for School Days and they shredded the joint.When they finished we all shook hands and off they went till next time.I will never miss a show by RTF!Dweezil was awesome as well...his Dad would be proud.It was nice to see Chick come out and play with the Dweez.Still wondering why Jean Luc didn't join Dweezil...maybe it was the heat.

A chance to see Chick Corea , Stanley Clarke Jean Luc Ponty, Lenny White all live on stage - come on! Every song was a chance for a special solo. I love the interplay between Jean Luc and Chick - then back Stanely's bass. Song to the Pharoah King was awesome.

oh my there are no words ...it was honnnkkk haccckk arrrgghhh blechhh oooooiiieeeee twang bang clang shhhhiiii woooopeee ar ar ar fllliippp woooo

Especially surprised by the masterful talent of the Zappa Plays Zappa show. The Return To Forever super group was soooo great. One of the best ever shows I've been to. Third time seeing Chick and won't be the last. Still have a wonderful feeling going from their performance - 2 days later. Loved it!

The show was AWESOME. Each one of those guys alone would be worth the ticket! Mizner Amphitheater as venue STINKS! It was basically plastic chairs tied one to the other with absolutely no space between chairs. Can't believe that at $100 (+tax/+convenience/+++) they couldn't provide comfortable accommodations.

Wow! Return to Forever continues to amaze and astound. These guys continue their magic show with even more skill and precision 30 years since the last time I saw their show. Jean-luc Ponty was incredible and the RTF version of his "Renaissance" was worth the cost of admission alone. Zappa plays Zappa was mind-blowing. I believe Frank would have been proud.

My first time to this venue. As I was waiting in line, a few people were talking about previous shows and how miserable the sound was. I found this to be absolutely untrue. The sound engineering was wonderful and the ability to walk around the venue for different points of view and observation was fantastic. Well done!

This show was amazing from start to finish! Zappa playing Zappa was an experieince all in itself!! They all looked like they were having a blast recreating some incredible music! I didn't know Dweezle was such an accomplished guitarist, and the band was awesome! Return To Forever was even better than the last time I saw them with the original lineup. I sat 2nd row in front of Al Dimeola for that one, all I can say after seeing them with Frank Gambale is, Al who? I will always love Dimeola, he is so incredible, but I had no idea Gambale was that Great! And with Jean Luc, that made for the best Return To Forever you would ever want to see, period!!!

The show was great. Both bands sounded awesome. I am a little disappointed that Dewizel did not perform with the RTF band for an encore. I am also disappointed that I purchased my ticket in the balcony the day tickets went on sale only to find out the show didn't sell well and tickets on the floor were Half Price the day of show. ZPZ needs to Headline the show.

This was an amazing experience! It was so refreshing to see and hear superb musicians who simply want to create and share amazing music. It was an honor to be there. The venue was great and our seats were fantastic. The only shame was that more Cincinnatians didn't show up to enjoy this.

Went to see them at the Syracuse Jazzfest was a great show...it was the start of there tour. They kicked it up 4 or 5 knotches were much crisper and cleaner no reading of music sheets all members were right on cue.

This was one of the best concerts I have ever seen. Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Jean Luc Ponty and Lenny White were awesome. I missed Al DiMeola at the guitar. But the guy that used to play for Journey really has become an excellent jazz guitarist.

Time flew by! The band was amazing! We were on the front row, which was great, though Chick was at the other end of the stage, so not a lot of photo opportunity there. Dweezle Zappa was equally amazing. He even sat on the stage after his performance and signed items and posed for pictures. He brought Chick out to play during one song. A great evening. We saw RTF in 2008 in Denver, but this show was sooooooooo much better!

First I have to say that I'm not really a Jazz fan. I had a chance to see and meet Stanley earlier this year so coupled with my desire to see Zappa does Zappa the Midland Theater venue and knowing that Stanley is a deserved legend in music and Chic Corea a Jazz legend along with Jean Luc Ponty there were many reasons I made the trip from OKC. First the venue. Probably one of the best venues of it's size I have seen. Made the experience enjoyable just walking through the doors. 4th row seats in the center made the prospects for seeing but hearing could of been suspect as we were inside the coverage of the line array JBL system. A few mini array's scattered along the front of the stage didn't look promising although they didn't interfere with sight lines. Stage volume I feared might be a problem. No worries though when Dweezil took the stage the mix was perfect. and stage volume was under control. That band is as good as it can get for not having one recognizable name. I knew they would be good but I had no idea it would be that good. Neither did the crowd I suspect. Multiple Standing Ovations with and extended one at the end. Demanding an encore and the band would of obliged but the schedule for RTF mandated they didn't . On to RTF. Absolute display of world class musicianship. Enough said. The band members each spoke to the audience expressing their appreciation for the support of their careers of the many decades. Heartfelt love displayed buy them and the audience reciprocated. Not familiar with the material and at times the sets pace was a bit slow for me but the encore more than made up for it. A lot of Energy.

I had seen the reunion tour of RTF in 2008 and it blew me away. The 2011 incarnation of the group is even better! Jean Luc Ponty was a real treat, and the new guitar player is leaps and bounds better than Al DiMeola. I hadn't ever seen Zappa Plays Zappa but am a huge fan of Frank's work. They totally exceeded my expectations. All in all the best concert I've ever seen as it pertains to the musicianship. Not a bad player among the bunch. Excellent night. You're seriously cheating yourself if you miss this tour.

The Zappa band was so tight, it was flawless. Anyone who has ever appreciated the genius of Frank Zappa's music will not be disappointed. The 8 piece band was a rock and jazz lover's dream. Chick Corea is forever one of my favorite artists, and he lived up to my expectations. The RTF band combined with Ponty was amazing. It was like Jean-Luc was supposed to be there. Stanley Clarke is continually evolving as one of the premier bassists. These men have definitely bridged the generation gap, and the music that was created in the 60's and 70's continues to thrive with today's audiences.

Dweezil Zappa does his father Frank proud again! To think of Franks oddities is of no comparison what so ever!! Dweezil and his Crew's full sound of professionalizm and humor can and should be enjoyed for hours on end. Dweezil's guitar work (Frank's guitar by the way) is absolutely phenomenal!! Equaled to the likes of Steve Via. Unfortunately only played for one lowsey hour due to the next group ready to play. In fact...the man is in such appreciation of his fan's and realizing the short set,stayed on stage to sign autographs during the complete teardown and set up(complete!) until he was asked to stop due to the next show was ready. I mean they started playing the instant Dweezil exited the stage!! That's a professional! Especially when he wasn't feeling that well.As I was speaking with him while getting his autograph,his voice was very hoarse. Well done!! Can't wait 'till next time. Best ever again!!!

Frank would be very proud to see how well his son has put together a group of such talent. They obviously love the music. i wanted to follow them to the next stop. Return to forever also made their music sound so close to the albums, i was in heaven. My greatest prize was seeing Stanley Clark make love to every instrument he played. Now when i listen to the albums, i can see him with his cheek hugging the strings while he strums and pats the bass and know from whence those notes come. if you like the music, you will love the show.

Friday night's show at Meadowbrook featuring Return to Forever with opening act Zappa plays Zappa could not have been better. To start with It was as nice weather-wise as any night we have had all summer. The opening act with Dweezil Zappa fronting a band of very talented young musicians faithfully reproducing many old Zappa favorites, was wonderful. If you are an old Zappa fan, as I am, it was a lot of fun hearing these old tunes live again and they were done with the same intricate attention to detail that Frank always demanded. Then the Stage crew came out and changed over to RTF's set up with astonishing efficiency. What can I say about Return to Forever? This is a band of five musicians that are almost without peer. I have been a huge fan of Return to forever since the mid seventies and was really looking forward to this show. Every RTF song they did was recreated to perfection and of course being the improvisational masters they are, they made them even better. The guitarist, Frank Gambale, was a replacement for Al Dimeola on this tour. I wasn't real familiar with him so I wasn't sure what to expect. Of course if he was picked by Corea, Clarke & White there was no need to think he would be any thing less than spectacular. He was brilliant. The wild card in the group was Jean-Luc Ponty someone who never played with RTF, but is a fusion legend in his own rite. The tunes were arranged to include Pony's violin and he fit in seamlessly. As it turned out the highlight of the evening was a compositon by Ponty called Renaissance This has always been in my opinion one of the best pieces in the Jean-Luc Ponty catalog. On this one Corea, Ponty Clarke and Gambale all did jaw dropping solos especially Clarke on the upright bass. I go to the Detroit Jazz festival every year and you can hear a hundred different guys play the upright bass there. And then there is Stanly Clarke. He is so astoundingly good on this instrument it doesn't sound like he is even playing the same instrument as the rest of the bass players. He really stands alolne as the best there is. All in all I can't think of any show I have ever seen that has been better. Being there with my son to share in this evening - well it really was a perfect night.

I have been going to concerts since the 70's. This was truly one of the best concerts I have ever experienced. It rank in the top 5%. Return to Forever and Zappa Plays Zappa will live in my brain forever.

Return to Forever IV was the best show I have seen so far this year! Chick Corea and Stanley Clarke's communication on stage is unbelievable! Jean Luc, Lenny and Frank also made their mark on the show. But, I do have to say that Stanley steals the show and Chick and he both are the focus with the way they feed off of each other! Well done and I will see them again. I had seen Chick and Stanley play together on the Light as a Feather's Tour in the 70s. I was amazed at their talent then and am still amazed!

What a combo - Zappa Plays Zappa warming up Return to Forever. Both groups were at the top of their game. ZPZ are the young guns, RTF are the old guys playing some intense fusion. What a shpw!!!!!

These guys were phenomenal, but I wouldn't have expected any less from Chick, Stanley, Lenny, Frank & Jean Luc. The surprise, for me - although it appears that it shouldn't have been - was "Zappa Plays Zappa". Also out of this world. I'd see them again. They were much more than a 'tribute band'. Forgive me for thinking of them as that, although Father Frank must have a big satisfied smile on his face wherever he is when he listens in. They are fabulous.

I brought my 15 y/o son, who is an aspiring musician, to see RTF and he was amazed. Dweezil did not disappoint either. My son asked me when we could see them again, he was that impressed. Great show!!!

Not a whole lot to say...can't believe how good Zappa was - Dweezel's guitar playing is coming close to his dad's...Zappa was worth the admission alone! ...and who was that chick on the sax??? She was absolutely mind-blowing! RTF was simply mind-boggling...some of the greatest musicians in the world and it showed...Stanley did things that you didn't know could be done on a standup! Frank on guitar was fantastic, and Chick has not lost a thing - letting his amazingly creative riffs flow all night. Jean Luc got the biggest ovation, noting amusingly that he played with a guy called Frank Zappa some time ago when Dweezel was 4 years old! Won't forget this!!

And I REALLY liked last Thursday's show in Boston! It was the 5th time I've seen Dweezil playing his dad's music, and each time has been great. It was my first time seeing R2F, and to get Jean Luc Ponty as a guest was a special treat. I'm not a musician, so I probably can't fully appreciate the complexity of the music and the talent involved. But great jams, great music, great art. AND, the Ticketmaster Fan Guarantee works! My original seats were 11th row, but at a real bad angle (the adjacent seat had the disclosure 'limited view of stage'). BUT, up to seven days before the show, Ticketmaster (with restrictions) will change my seats if better seats become available at the same price. And this venue also had the interactive seating chart, so I could always tell what was available. And R2F had some VIP options, some as high as $500 per ticket (with perks). I kind of figured they wouldn't sell all those front row seats held for the VIP options, and would eventually release those seats into the general inventory at regular ($65) prices. I was checking twice a day. And ten days before the show, the seats were available. I called Ticketmaster, and got my original seats switched to the front row!

The main attraction to this show for me was Mr Ponte whom I have not seen in over 30 years. He's still got that very special gift. I had never seen the rest of the RTF line-up live before. Very impressive! They are certainly the masters of this brand of jazz. Nothing was allowed to get boring or mundane in this whole long evening. Stanley Clarke; what a treat! Lenny White; unbelievable! Chick Corea; what needs to be said? The name Return to Forever seems gets more fitting every year.

I went just to see the oping act, Zappa plays Zappa. Wasn't impressed enough with the Main act to stay past the 2nd song. Also I hate the Verision Wireless Theater. The floor seats are just too close together. Everyones shoulders over-lap.

As expected, the musicianship was stellar. I felt the drums were a bit lost in the mix but not to the point that the music suffered. The venue was awesome as well. I was pretty disappointed that Dweezil Zappa's band didn't play very much. I knew it was an opening band, but I was hoping it was a co-headlining show, so that they could've played a full set.

Fantastic show, great sound at Verizon theater. Awesome musicianship in both bands. Each group played at least half material I was not familiar with - no matter, it was all incredible! I also admired Dweezil for sitting on the front of the stage during the entire set change (about 30 minutes) while signing autographs and chatting with fans - very cool.

Their music is as fresh and energetic as it was when they started but more polished!

Maybe the best show I have ever seen. Certainly in the top 5. World class musicianship. It was evident that these guys ENJOY playing together. The mix was dialed in from the first notes. Nothing negative to say about it.

Both bands(ZPZ,RTF) were tight!! The solo's impressive. The sound and lighting of the show perfect. Period.

I saw the Original Return to forever with Al DiMiola at Verizon two years ago and they were great. Excellent musicianship, great sound and show. This year the sound was horrible. I couldn't even hear Stanley Clarke, I could see him playing, his fingers moving and dancing around the fret board, doing what I could hear only in my mind as his trademark riffs. But the sound coming over the speakers revealed little of him or his wonderful style. The guitarist, Frank Gambale was almost timid it seemed. The problem may be after seeing Al DiMiola OWN the guitar parts, watching a craftsman like Frank come and recreate the parts just didn't measure up. Lenny was great, Chick screwed up bigtime several times in the first few songs alone, and ponte looked too frail, painfully so. I only stayed for 4 songs as the seating was so atrocious and crampt I had trouble breathing. But to hear the band sound disjointed so badly at first, I couldnt take it. I went home and watched my DVD of the last tour. I am just glad I have their previous show to remember. This one was a shadow if it.

Great musicians, but the price that I paid to sit on the stage was ridiculous. Better view and sound in the seats