The English word fusion best defines the name of the jazz movement, combining elements of funk, metal, folk, jazz, hip-hop, R&B, reggae and other styles. One jazz fusion album can contain music from all of the above directions, which makes it interesting for those who are looking for their own style and experimenting with jazz.
Performers
Jazz fusion is an “alloy” of jazz with elements of a variety of styles: metal, electronics, reggae, folk, pop, rock, hip-hop, ethnic, etc. Often, even in one artist’s album, you will find an explosive mixture of the above. Fusion originated in the late 60s of the last century, when jazzmen began experimenting with electronic music, rock, and rhythm and blues. At the same time, rock musicians were not alien to jazz elements and, with their help, diversified their compositions. In the 70s, fusion reached its peak, but in subsequent decades it enjoyed stable popularity among performers and listeners. This style can be called systematized; experts consider it as an approach or musical tradition, which is why, for example, progressive rock is considered fusion.
The most prominent representatives of fusion were musicians performing jazz-rock, for example, the groups “Eleventh House”, “Lifetime”. The origins of fusion were associated with such orchestras as the Mahavishnu Orchestra and Weather Report, which performed bright, interesting and varied music, often successfully experimenting with directions. Among the individual fusion musicians, drummer Ronald Shannon Jackson, guitarists Pat Metheny, John Scofield, John Abercrombie and James "Blood" Ulmer, and saxophonist and trumpeter Ornette Coleman stand out.
Fusion is distinguished by instrumentality, complex bars, meter, long compositions with inclusions of improvisations. Most of the musicians performing this music are easily recognizable due to a high level of technique, which is rare in such forms. In the USA, fusion does not receive much airtime due to its complexity and lack of vocal component. However, in Japan, Europe, and South America there are entire radio stations broadcasting to a large number of fans of the style.
Jazz rock(English) jazz rock) - a direction of music whose name speaks for itself. This unique mixture of jazz and rock appeared relatively recently - in the 60s of the twentieth century, when some progressive-minded jazzmen found the scope of their extensive style too narrow. Traditionally, the emergence of jazz rock is geographically attributed to the United States, but in the Old World there were also enough nuggets who, independently of their colleagues from overseas, mastered the new sound.
Already in the early 60s in the UK there were groups such as Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames and the Graham Bond Organization, whose musicians tried to combine jazz and rhythm and blues in their work. Echoes of jazz rock can also be heard in the 1964 album “The Five Faces of Manfred Mann” by Manfred Mann. However, venerable music critics are inclined to consider the first work in jazz rock to be the record of American jazz vibraphonist Gary Burton (Gary Burton) “Duster”, which went on sale in 1967. This disc featured young Texas musician Larry Coryell as guitarist. It is he who stands at the origins of the style that is commonly called jazz-rock.
A year before working with the great Gary Burton, Larry managed to make his mark in the group The Free Spirits, which also tried to mix jazz with rock in its experiments. When it became clear that the two independent genres of music were quite compatible, Miles Davis' "Miles in the Sky" appeared on the charts. From that moment on, jazz-rock began to gain momentum. Groups playing in a new vein arose independently of each other on both sides of the ocean and sounded very diverse. And this diversity was determined by the broad framework of both genres. Comparing, for example, the Americans Blood, Sweat and Tears with the British The Soft Machine is a completely different approach to music, but both groups at certain moments of their creativity can be completely attributed to this direction.
Jazz-rock is characterized by a significant duration of compositions, improvisation, its jazz basis with all the ensuing consequences and the use of rock instruments. During the heyday of this movement in the 70s, groups such as The Mahavishnu Orchestra, Weather Report, Brand X, Chicago, Return to Forever appeared - groups that are still considered classics of the genre. Subsequent years somewhat expanded the boundaries of jazz rock, adding world, funk and elements of pop music, including electronics. Many subgenres have appeared, but their basis is the same unchanged jazz.
Jazz rock is also sometimes referred to by the term "fusion" ( English fusion), the emergence of which is associated with the arrival of black musicians in jazz-rock who did not want to associate themselves with white rock culture. A characteristic feature of fusion is the bias towards funk. But, to a greater extent, the term “fusion” contains not a musical, but a social connotation, marking the implementation of “fusion” not only at the level of musical cultures, but also between different ethnic groups of performers and listeners. A striking example of such social fusion was the performance of the black Miles Davis at concerts at Fillmore West in 1970 in front of an audience of white hippies in a lineup with white and black performers.
 |
Such a direction in music as jazz-rock or fusion, as it later became known, became known in the 70s of the last century, when groups such as Mahavishnu Orshestra, Weather Report, Return To Forever, Larry Coryell Eleventh House, New Lifetime appeared , as well as Al Di Meola, Jean Luc Ponty, Billy Cobham, Stanley Clarke in the USA; Brand X, Soft Machine, Gong, National Health, Colosseum II, Bill Bruford, Steve Hillage in the UK. There were jazz-rock groups in other European countries: Edition Speciale, Transit Express, Volkor, Coincidience, Spheroe in France; Iceberg, Iman, Guadalquivir, Musica Urbana, Borne, Pegasus in Spain; Perigeo, Barichentro, Nova in Italy, Sloche in Canada.
This was the golden age of jazz rock.
In the 1980s, there was a natural decline. There have never been so many musical masterpieces. Few new groups appeared, but they were there. First of all, it is necessary to say about the Canadian Uzeb, the most interesting new jazz-rock group of the 80s, in which the famous bass guitarist Alain Caron played.
In the 80s, many bands appeared playing jazz-rock in Japan: Ain Soph, Kenso, Prism, Keep, Space Circus, GAOS. In the USSR there were Arsenal, Quadro, Kaseke, Radar, Gunesh. In France, Didier Lockwood Group. In the USA Drama, Ken Watson, Scott Lindemuth, Woodenhead, Karizma.
In 1984, John Mclaughlin recreated the Mahavishnu Orshestra, Chick Corea created a new project Electric Band, Joe Zawinul 2 groups: Weather Update and Syndicate, Billy Cobham assembled a new group. They began recording their solo albums
guitarists Allan Holdsworth, John Scofield,
Kazumi Watanabe,
Bill Connors
bassists Jeff Berlin, Bunny Brunel, keyboardist T Lavitz.
In the 90s The main jazz-rock projects were such groups as Tribal Tech and the Mark Varney Project. Frank Gambale has recorded several solo albums.
As well as guitarist Jeff Richman, bass players Adam Nitti and Victor Bailey. Keyboardist Adam Holzman created his own band. Another keyboardist, Mitch Forman, formed the band Metro. Bass guitarist Uzeb Alain Caron created a new group LeBand. Several new bands have appeared in the USA: Gongzilla
guitarist of Bon Lozaga, Stratus, Gamalon, Jam Camp.
In Canada The Code, 5 After 4.
In Germany Matalex, 7For4, Jazz Pistols, Susan Weinert, Leni Stern. In Japan Side Steps, Fragile, Group Therapy, Kehell, Wisywyg, WINS.
In the UK Persy Jones Tunnels, Network, Sphere3.
In 2000 Many bands playing jazz-rock have appeared: in Japan Exhivision, IzgitNine, Trix; several projects from France - Fugu, Jac La Greca, Fusion Project, Quidam; Italy - Virtual Dream, Zaq, Periferia Del Mondo; Spain - Planeta Imaginario, Onza, Gurth. In the Netherlands Richard Hallebeek Project. In the USA Garaj Mahal, Helmet Of Gnats, Bad Dog U, Kick The Cat, Code3, Whoopgnash, Savant Guard, Facing West, Rare Blend, Ecstazy In Number, Redshift.
Drummer Dennis Chambers, who participated in the best bands of modern jazz-rock: Cab, Niacin, Uncle Moe's Space Ranch, "Boston T Party" with T Lavitz and Jeff Berlin, "Extraction" with Greg Howe and Victor Wooten, "Gentle Hearts" with Greg Howe and Tetsui Sakurai.
The Tone Center Records label, created by Mark Varney and Steve Smith in 1998, plays a special role in the revival of jazz rock.
For this label, Steve Smith created several projects: Vital Tech Tones with guitarist Scott Henderson and bassist Victor Wooten; GHS with guitarist Frank Gambale and bassist Stuart Hamm), the disc "Strangers Hand" with the famous violinist Jerry Goodmen, bassist Oteil Burbridge; "Cause and Effect" with guitarist Larry Corryel and keyboardist Tom Coster; "Count Jam Band Reunion" with guitarist Larry Corryel, bassist Kai Eckhardt.
This label also released 2 discs by the Tribal Tech group, 99 and 2000. Two discs of the famous early 90s band Mark Varney Project have been reissued.
The best modern jazz-rock groups published by Tone Center Records: Cab, Uncle Moe's Space Ranch, "Boston T Party" with T Lavitz and Jeff Berlin, "Extraction" with Greg Howe and Victor Wooten, all of these projects featured drummer Dennis Chambers.
Also released were recordings by such groups as Bass Extremes of bass guitarists Steve Bailey and Victor Wooten; Jing Chi featuring guitarist Robben Ford, bassist Jimmy Haslip and drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, solo discs by bassist Bunny Brunel "La Zoo", guitarists Greg Howe and Scott Henderson, Steve Khan, Bill Connors.
Albums "Cosmic Farm" featuring Wasserman, Erickson, Lavitz, Sipe; "Endangered Species" featuring Herring, Lavitz, Harvard, Gradney.
Since the mid-2000s Abstract Logix Label becomes the leading label in the field of jazz-rock. Thus, Abstract Logix released new albums by such musicians as John Mclaughlin, Lenny White, Jimmy Herring, Anthony Jackson, Gary Husband, Project Z, Sebastiaan Cornelissen, Alex Machacek, Scott Kinsey. In addition, Abstract Logix distributes CDs of jazz-rock groups from all over the world.
The second half of the 60s of the last century was marked by the heyday of rock culture in the West, which was associated with the incredible rise of the hippie movement.
A lot of new things appeared in those years. And not only in music, but in art in general and in the aesthetics of young people’s lives. There were regular rock bands and jazz rock bands playing here. The new groups that emerged during this period can be safely compared to the number of mushrooms growing after rain.
The emergence of Jazz rock
In those years, many new musical trends, groups and names appeared. The Beatles paved the way from Mersbeat to a variety of complex compositions. Following them, such trends as Acid-Rock, Psi-rock, Folk-rock, Classic-Rock, Country rock, Rock Opera, Blues-rock and, of course, Jazz-rock began to appear.
Based on English grammar, the term jazz-rock can be translated as “jazz rock”, since in grammar the first word determines the relationship to the second. Therefore, the first jazz-rock ensembles became a springboard for the onset of rock culture, not jazz.
Jazz-rock has become an essential part of unconventional music. His stars ended up in rock encyclopedias, reference books and dictionaries.
The first jazz rock bands
At that time, critics came to the conclusion that the Chicago group consisted of rock musicians who were trying to play jazz. And the Blood of Tiars group, in their opinion, on the contrary, consisted of jazzmen who joined rock music. It is also important to remember that in the United States, rock was originally considered white music.
For this reason, the image of the jazz-rock genre was described as: “a white rock band that includes a section of brass instruments.” Not only these two groups made themselves known at that time. They performed new harmonies and rhythms, improvised, and played electronic instruments. Note that America was subject to unprecedented pressure from rock bands based in England.
Mike Bloomfield is a young bluesman from Chicago. He created the blues-rock group Electric Flag. There was a brass section. But at the same time it was said that the group would play real American music. Therefore, we can conclude that in the early stages, jazz-rock had an ideological background. One of the most striking ensembles at that time was the Chase group, created by trumpeter Bill Chase. He died tragically in 1974.
Jazz rock in the activities of famous rock musicians
The early manifestations of jazz rock include a huge number of groups in which musicians played who had previously had nothing to do with such a movement as jazz. Ginger Baker, drummer of The Cream, created a new group, Air Force Band, after the group broke up. Groups began to appear in which young jazzmen worked together with rock musicians.
Famous rock musicians actively took part in recording new types of music. Some famous musicians begin to record in studios with others. For example, Jeff Beck recorded with Jan Hammer and Stanley Clarke. Jack Bruce joined The Tony Williams Lifetime. Some time later, the drummer of the Genesis band became a member of the Brand X group.
He also accompanied Al Di Meola. Tommy Bolin, guitarist from Deep Purple, recorded with the famous jazz drummer Billy Cubham. In addition, he himself attracted jazz-rock performers to record his solo records together. All musicians united to find and invent something new. Everyone who did not get hung up on the same manner of playing, on a monotonous style.
If we consider the early times as a whole, we can unequivocally state that in the environment of jazz in the mid-60s, what is called the “threshold” of jazz rock was formed. This is the Adderley Brothers Quintet, Messengers Jazz, Horace Silver and drummer Art Blakey. The music of this quintet is classified as soul jazz or funky jazz.
Elements of such music are actively used by Quincy Jones, an outstanding arranger. Funky soul music was promoted in every possible way by producer Grid Taylor. He worked with Jimmy Smith, Wes Montgomery and other jazzmen.
They were also innovators in their own right, as they offered a new aesthetic that differed significantly from the funky and hard bop standards. Already in 1965, Larry Coryell was one of the first to reconsider the approach to sound on his own instrument, changed the phrasing, and tried to become closer to the rock guitar.
But the real revolution was brought about by John McLoughin. Therefore, several forces worked simultaneously on the direction of jazz-rock. If we talk about traditional jazz, then here, in principle, a whole generation of listeners appeared and grew up.
On the other hand, jazz has changed a lot during this time. He stopped moving in a commercial direction. The era of dance swing ended in the post-war period. Bebop quickly evolved into hard bop. In the late 60s, he touched avant-garde jazz, leaving the general audience and beginning to develop in depth.
Over time, jazz became a very complex movement; it ceased to be a fashionable art. Because such circumstances forced the music business to change. Even famous jazzmen were left without work. Thus, antagonism arose in the sphere of rock music and the jazz environment.
For most jazzmen who continued their development, the tastes of youth caused a smile. It all seemed too simple and primitive to them. The musicians who played rock treated the jazzmen with respect. But there was also some hostility on their part due to the latter’s dislike of everything new.
If we talk about this in general, then both of these directions were to some extent rivals in terms of jealousy for success. It was because of these reasons that jazz rock did not cause much enthusiasm among the general public. Jazz criticism stated that this direction has no future and artistic value.
Video: Funk-Jazz-Rock-Groove-Music
Miles Davis “In A Silent Way” (1969)
Connoisseurs can still argue about the roots and origins of jazz-rock (fusion). However, the moment when jazz rock became famous is not up for debate. Musical genius Mile Davis was the first to edit complex instrumental tracks from various sessions. And, most importantly, he encouraged his colleagues to explore a new path in music. This and Davis’s next album, “Bitches Brew,” are absolute classics of the genre.
Mahavishnu Orchestra “The Inner Mounting Flame” (1971)
Guitarist John McLaughlin, who took part in the recording of the two above-mentioned Miles Davis albums, assembled a group of outstanding instrumentalists - drummer Billy Cobham and violinist Jean-Luc Ponty. The Inner Mounting Flame album taught a lesson in masterful performance to many rock stars from Deep Purple to Metallica and Dream Theater. Listen to what McLaughlin does with his guitar.
Herbie Hancock “Mwandishi” (1971)
The famous keyboardist and composer Herbie Hancock was also greatly influenced by his collaboration with Miles Davis. By the early 70s, the musician left the Blue Note label and began collecting new electronic instruments. Mwandishi was Hancock's own name in Swahili, and he pioneered the integration of synthesizers into the jazz fabric. Those who find the sound of “Mwandishi” too avant-garde and improvisational should turn to Hancock’s funk project “Head Hunters” (1973), which received a wide response from the public.
Return to Forever: Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy (1973)
Another pianist, Chick Corea, after collaborating with Miles in the 70s, changed his focus of interest from avant-garde to jazz-rock. The project's Return To Forever album features Corea on guitar, Bill Conors, Stanley Clarke on bass, and Lenny White on drums. Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy is no longer jazz-rock, but rock-jazz. Virtuoso performers create a real hard rock mix. A hitherto unheard of fusion of electro, jazz, funk and hard rock, i.e. real fusion (fusion - alloy).