5/3/12  

1  

Jazz Rock & Beyond JAZZ FUSION

¡  In the 60s, Miles sees Jazz losing relevance §  Rock and R&B are dominant among teens

§  The British Invasion (The Beatles, The Rolling Stones) §  Motown & Stax §  Folk Rock (Bob Dylan)

§  Adults like jazz, but new audiences are thinning ¡  In an effort to be modern, Miles’ will change Jazz yet again

WHEN LAST WE LEFT OUR HERO…

5/3/12  

2  

BITCHES BREW

¡  1968: Miles’ new experiments §  Added electric instruments to his band: bass, guitar, keyboards… §  In a Silent Way becomes the first Fusion record

§  Rock riffs, straight feel, electric instruments

§  Fusion: Jazz mixed with another musical style

¡  1969: Miles released Bitches Brew §  Record that popularized Fusion §  Funk & Rock “sketches”, assembled in studio

¡  A pop success ¡ Miles played Fusion for the rest of his life

§  Smooth Jazz developed from this

Life after Miles Davis MILES ALUMNI

5/3/12  

3  

¡ Leader: John McLaughlin ¡ Style: Metal, Hendrix, Raga § Odd Meter (7/8, 9/8 and weirder) § Complex melodies § Fast & dynamic song structures

¡ Melodies played by a violinist ¡ Popular through 1973 ¡ Broke up in ‘73 and disappeared

MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA

¡ Leader: Chick Corea ¡ Style: World Music

§ Lighter texture (no bass) § Flute, wordless singing § Complex, jazz-like forms

¡ Less popular in the mainstream ¡ Traditional sound appealed to Jazz crowds

RETURN TO FOREVER

5/3/12  

4  

¡ Leaders: Wayne Shorter & Joe Zawinul ¡ Style: Free, then 80s Pop

§ Odd song structures § Electronics

¡ 1976: Bassist Jaco Pastorius § Transformed the band, more funk, pop § His amazing technique reinvented the bass

¡ Major mainstream success in the 80’s

WEATHER REPORT

¡ Leader: Herbie Hancock ¡ Style: Funk

§ Electronic keyboards § Stevie Wonder & James Brown influences

¡ Massively popular § Crossed over with mainstream crowds § Often criticized for “selling out”

¡ Later career blended jazz & pop styles for great success

THE HEADHUNTERS