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
