Is it possible to be creative by only emphasizing the positives? Jazz legend and keyboard tinkler extraordinaire Chick Corea certainly thinks so as he prepares for what has effectively become an annual visit to Japan with a number of shows lined up at Tokyo's Blue Note and several other venues around the country.
"The golden rule is you treat others well and you will be treated well back," he tells The Japan Times by telephone from Los Angeles, talking about the ease with which he is able to collaborate with different musicians. In the past couple of years he has played with a wide range of outfits, from his recent jazz-fusion quintet, the Five Peace Band, and various trios to playing fourhand with Herbie Hancock.
But, working with so many different musicians in a genre where personalities are very much to the fore in the playing, aren't there ever clashes and disagreements?