Electric eclectic

You played with Miles Davis on Filles de Kilimanjaro, In a Silent Way and Bitches Brew, as well as several live albums - collaborations that really changed the direction of music. Can you describe what was it like to be a part of that creative process?

When I worked with Miles Davis, as when I work on all my projects, it all went very friendly and easy and spontaneous. Mutual respect is one of the things that pervades these atmospheres of music-making. We enjoy one another's ideas. True collaboration is not a competition - it's more like a co-creation.

It's been almost 50 years since your work with Miles Davis led the way to jazz-rock fusion and such bands as your own Chick Corea and Return to Forever, the Mahavishnu Orchestra, the Tony Williams Lifetime and Weather Report. What would you say was the lasting musical impact of that era?

I like to leave questions like that up to the musical historians. I grew up musically in the '50s, '60s and '70s. These were certainly exciting times, creatively. But it's all in how you look at life. I'm as excited now about playing music as I ever was - maybe more so.

Your website is very focused on sharing your musical experiences and passing along your knowledge and expertise. From your interactions with younger musicians, where do you see jazz headed in the future? Are there any emerging trends we should be looking out for?

Our planet is filled with art and artists. One has to learn how to look to see what's there. Our means of communication through the internet can be helpful, but also can cloud one's view.

Traveling, meeting musicians and looking for art in different places around the world is the best way to find out what's really going on. I feel fortunate to be able to travel a lot, and to get to meet and hear and see a lot of different artists. And believe me, the world is rich in jazz and all kinds of art. We have to learn how to find it, support it and keep creating it ourselves.

What future recordings or other projects do you have planned - and are there musical avenues you still wish to explore?

Oh, there are so many. I'm touring a lot with the new Elektric Band this year and also about to make a new recording with my old friend Steve Gadd - a brand-new band with brand-new music.

I have an experimental electronica project almost finished, and I'm planning to play my piano concerto and other symphonic works in 2018.

But the most exciting new venture for me is my Chick Corea Music Workshops.

I'm creating video presentations of workshops for musicians and people interested in music and art of all ages - for both professionals and beginners.

It's a way for me to help increase the interest in music and art. I find that when people become interested in creating music and art, their areas of life become healthier, calmer and more pleasant. Music and all art is something natural and native to every human being - the desire to create something beautiful. My workshops help others to create - and I love helping musicians and anyone interested in music.

(China Daily 04/15/2017 page18)