Jazz Rock / Fusion Rock
familyStarted 1969Peak 1972-1978Last big hit still active
The musicianly wing of rock where jazz harmony, improvisation and odd meters meet electric power. Spans amplified fusion firestorms (distorted guitar, Rhodes, ARP synth, polyrhythmic drumming), horn-driven brass rock, Canterbury whimsy, Latin and funk grooves, and slick crossover instrumentals. Solos run long; chops are the point.
History
Born when Miles Davis plugged in for In a Silent Way and Bitches Brew (1969-70), spawning alumni bands Mahavishnu, Weather Report and Return to Forever. In parallel, brass-rock groups and Britain's Canterbury/Nucleus axis fused jazz with rock. Through the 70s it splintered into funk, Latin, avant and smooth strains; jam bands revived it in the 90s.
Defining artists
Essential listening
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jazz_fusion
- https://www.allaboutjazz.com/
- https://www.progarchives.com/subgenre.asp?style=12