Return To Forever IV + Zappa Plays Zappa = Tour

Founded in the early 1970s by Chick Corea, Return To Forever refused to be categorized. Accumulating labels like “jazz rock,” “jazz fusion” and even “progressive rock,” Corea, along with core members Stanley Clarke and Lenny White created a unique sound that challenged jazz and rock fans alike.

Touring as “Return To Forever IV,” the lineup includes the aforementioned musicians who will be joined by violin virtuoso Jean-Luc Ponty and guitarist Frank Gambale.

What can fans expect? Old favorites as well as selections from the individual musicians’ bodies of work as well as new Return To Forever material.

“Since all the guys in the band are such good composers, I wanted to have everyone’s compositions added to the new RTF IV vibe,” Corea said in a statement announcing the tour. “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.”

Joining RTF IV on this journey will be Dweezil Zappa’s tribute to father Frank – Zappa Plays Zappa.

The tour begins in Pittsburgh at Stage AE Aug. 7. Other destinations include Columbia, Md., near Baltimore at Merriweather Post Pavilion Aug. 9; Boston’s Bank Of America Pavilion Aug. 11; New York at Beacon Theatre Aug. 12-13; Cleveland’s State Theatre Aug. 17; Hammond, Ind., at The Venue At Horseshoe Casino Aug. 20; Nashville at Schermerhorn Symphony Center Aug. 22; Denver’s Paramount Theatre Aug. 27; Austin at Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theatre Sept. 13; San Diego at Humphrey’s By The Bay Sept. 19; Los Angeles at the Greek Theatre Sept. 20 and San Francisco at The Warfield Sept. 22. Last stop on the tour is Seattle’s Paramount Theatre Sept. 24.

Tickets go on sale May 21. For more information, click here for Return2Forever.com and here for ZappaPlaysZappa.com.