No arguments from me, except to say that I think Zawinul did innovate, just like he set out to do. Did he "force" it? It doesn't matter... the results speak for themselves. He's sincere in what he does and devoted to it, and that speaks volumes. You may not like it, but he's achieving his goals.
Of course true innovation is hard, and originality for the sake of originality is usually non-interesting, but then again that doesn't mean one shouldn't try.