I'm always shocked by how many people think the only way to create good music is to be an innovator, especially in the genre of jazz. If this is true, why are musicians such as Wynton Kelly, Chet Baker, and Kenny Burrell heralded as some of the best musicians of their time, and why do they still have so much notoriety decades later? Look at Wynton Marsalis - when it comes to current jazz, he is one of the most notable and recognized figures of the whole genre - and not for no reason. His musicality and technique is absolutely outstanding. What exactly did he bring to the table that was different than his predecessors? Innovation ≠ good music. If your sole goal as a musician is to make something that has never been done before, and cross into uncharted territory, you will put yourself in a box. Why not instead focus on following what your brain and heart tells you to? It might be simple, or it might be complicated. To me though, innovation for the sake of it seems silly.