Jazz pianist Chick Corea was an 'explorer and a seeker,' says friend Jack DeJohnette

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Chick Corea was the kind of musician who was never afraid to try something new, says his longtime friend and collaborator Jack DeJohnette.

Corea, a boundary-pushing jazz pianist and composer, died on Tuesday from a rare form of cancer. He was 79.

During his long and varied career, Corea played alongside huge names in jazz, including Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter.

He took home 23 Grammy Awards — the most jazz Grammys anyone has ever won in the show's 63-year history. But his music often defied category and he constantly pushed the bands he played with into new, uncharted territory.

DeJohnette, a jazz drummer, pianist and composer, spoke to As It Happens host Carol Off on Friday about his friend's life and music. Here is part of their conversation.

Jack, first of all, I'm sorry for the loss of your friend.

Yeah, that was quite a shock. Chick was so vibrant and alive and creative and, you know, inspiring.

He and I did a Zoom promotion for Resonance [Records], for a double-vinyl album called Bill Evans Live at Ronnie Scott's, and … he looked great.

Was that the last time you were in touch with him?

Yeah, it was. It was some months ago. But I hadn't had any idea that his demise would come suddenly.

What did you think when you first heard him play?

He had something to say. 

We used to play over at his house with people like [jazz bassist] Miroslav [Vitouš] and other people.

Just playing with him was a great, fun challenge. He was an explorer and a seeker. You know, he was never afraid to try anything. And we were all of that same mind. So musically, we sort of fit like a glove.

He moved on from playing with Miles Davis, set off on his own. What was he seeking?

He just wanted to reach as many people as possible. And he was always a seeker and he's always, you know, coming up with fresh projects to put out.

He had Return to Forever. He had the Spanish Heart band. He had the Elektric Band. So, you know, he was always surrounding himself with great musicians and setting up projects that were challenging, but communicative.

The best thing about Chick's music is he knew how to communicate it to a lot of people, and get it out there. He was on the road constantly so he could make sure that his music was being heard by lots of people.

And he just took it into so many different … sounds, so many different kinds of fusion with that experiment. But at the same time, as you said earlier, it's playful. I mean, this is what he's always been known for, is that he was having fun. He was engaging in ways that [were] not very serious, but it was hard work, wasn't it?

Well, yeah, but a labour of love work. You know, the music gave him something back when he put it out there, so I think he thrived off of that as well.

He went off on his own after discovering the Scientology movement. Did that influence his music?

Not at all. 

One thing about Chick, he's been consistent throughout his life. You know what to expect from him — a high level quality of musicians, composition and improvisation. And he kept that standard, that high standard, throughout his life.

What was he like off stage?

Great. He was offstage as he was onstage. You know, he was very communicative, would talk about anything, had a sense of humour, and [was] very generous as a human being.

We had a lot of fun together and had some good talks together.

He wasn't just talented; he was hugely successful as well, wasn't he? He has the most jazz Grammys of anyone, 23 awards. He had huge commercial success. And how much did that matter to him?

I don't think it mattered that much. What mattered to him was playing the music. Music was first and foremost to him. And … like I said before, reaching as many people as he could to give them something to lift up their spirits [and], you know, his spirit as well. 

Written by Sheena Goodyear and John McGill. Interview produced by John McGill. Q&A has been edited for length and clarity.