Jazz Rock / Fusion Rock
familyStarted 1969Peak 1972-1978Last big hit still active
Located in 1 route
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.
Sub-genres in this family
13 sub-genres · 13 written up
Defining artists
Essential listening
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jazz_fusion
- https://www.allaboutjazz.com/
- https://www.progarchives.com/subgenre.asp?style=12