Grammy-nominated jazz drummer Brian Blade explores space through music.

Brian Blade looks like he is in pain. He winces through a dozen different facial expressions – from mouth open and eyes closed, to teeth gritted and head tilting around – in less than a few seconds while his forearms flail in fast, repetitive motions.

But Blade isn’t hurting. On the contrary, he’s in his happy place, the relaxed, comfortable, creative space behind a drumkit.

As he explains it, his expressive gyrations are intense, without being tense.

“I’m never sure what’s happening, because my concern is what is sculpted and created within me,” Blade says. “I’m just projecting the joy I feel.”

On Friday night, Blade will keep the beat for jazz legend Chick Corea and his Trio band, which includes bassist Christian McBride. The group’s album Trilogy took home the 2015 Grammy for Best Jazz Instrumental Album. Blade’s own record Landmarks was nominated for the same category. Corea also won a Grammy for Best Improvised Jazz Solo for the song “Fingerprints” from Trilogy.

“[Corea and I] have a long history together, so there is an immediate familiarity to play in that moment,” Blade says. “His vision and soul are just great.”

The 45-year-old Blade is no stranger to the Monterey Jazz Festival. He’s been playing with legendary saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter since the early 2000s, including multiple years at MJF. Blade’s own group The Fellowship Band also has played many times at the seminal festival.

“I love the oceanic depth in that part of California,” Blade says. “I love the atmosphere and grounds, because you’re walking into this line of history and it hasn’t stopped going.”

For all the work Blade has done in jazz, his extensive catalog also includes backing the likes of well-known artists in other genres. In the late 1990s, Blade played with folk icon Joni Mitchell in live shows and a few songs on Bob Dylan’s 1997 album Time Out of Mind. He also played drums on Norah Jones’ breakthrough record “Come Away With Me” in 2002.

More recently, in 2013, he played drums on Ghost On Ghost, the fifth full-length album from indie singer-songwriter Iron & Wine, the solo endeavor of Sam Beam.

“I had been playing with jazz drummers for a while,” Beam says. “[Jazz] had been inspiring a lot of the chord progression on Ghost.”

Beam finds jazz drummers to be more versatile and says Blade fit the role perfectly for the record.

“I had only heard his drumming and meeting him was such a treat,” Beam says. “It was fun to see his voice. He was always interpreting. He was playing what he felt.”

Beam goes on to add Blade brought a very personal, off-the-cuff vibe to the recording studio.

“He would do all these weird solos. It was bananas!” says Beam. “It was magical to watch. He was always game to try new stuff and play along with everyone. Brian was just available and I’m glad he was.”

The feeling was mutual.

“His music is so great,” says Blade. “I just hope I’m serving the song. It is a daunting and immeasurable honor to be involved.”

Blade makes his home in Shreveport, Louisiana and music is a family affair. He grew up there as the son of a pastor who performed gospel music. His older brother, an accomplished musician, runs a recording studio in the town. The brothers and their father still play music together and much of Blade’s inspiration comes from his family and their spirituality.

“It’s like being back at church,” Blade says. “Here we are back where we started and the community is just so forgiving and embracing.”

For Blade, music makes sense on an unconscious level.

“It’s just a great duty that landed on me – an inheritance that is beyond a gift,” he says. “I have just been following it and not asking why. I never question where the songs are going to land, because I like the search.

“It is the constant challenge that builds a hope to keep pushing and asking, ‘What have I not imagined yet?’”

THE CHICK COREA TRIO plays the arena stage at 9pm on Friday. For more on Brian Blade, visit www.brianblade.com.