Farnell Newton

Contemporary Jazz Combo

WINTER Spring 2012

What is Jazz/Rock Fusion?

As the title implies, Jazz/rock fusion is a type of jazz in which musicians attempt to
expand the boundaries of jazz by incorporating elements from rock and other musical
styles. Jazz/rock fusion combines the attitude and energy of rock with the harmonic
sophistication and improvisational freedom of jazz.
Jazz/rock fusion differs from conventional Jazz in several ways. The use of Rhythm
tends to be "straighter" and less disposed to a swing feel. In addition, artists may make
use of odd meters, superimposed rhythmic feels and other unorthodox rhythmic
constructions in their search for new modes of expression. Electric/electronic
instruments such as the electric guitar, electric bass and synthesizer often replace
traditional jazz instruments such as the saxophone, trumpet and upright bass. Electronic
signal processing gear may be used to modify the sound of both electric and traditional
instruments.
There is also a difference in the choice, use and organization of musical material.The
musical content and organization of traditional jazz is to a large degree based on the
popular tunes of the 1940's and 1950's, the so called "standards", and on the chord
sequence most common to them : the II-V7-I progression. Jazz/rock fusion
compositions, on the other hand, are often not based on standard tunes or progressions
and are often organized in ways different from the common "head, solo, head" format so
often encountered in jazz prior to 1960.

Jazz/Rock Fusion Albums

Bitches Brew - Miles Davis
Year: 1969
Tracks: Pharaoh's Dance, Bitches Brew, Spanish Key, John McLaughlin, Miles Runs the Voodoo
Down, Sanctuary
The Inner Mounting Flame - Mahavishnu Orchestra
Year: 1971
Tracks: Meeting of the Spirits, Dawn, The Noonward Race, A Lotus on Irish Streams, Vital
Transformation, The Dance of Maya, You Know You Know, Awakening
Caravanserai - Santana
Year: 1972
Tracks: Eternal Caravan of Reincarnation, Waves Within, Look Up (To See What's Coming Down),
Just in Time to See the Sun, Song of the Wind, All the Love of the Universe, Future Primitive,
Stone Flower, La Fuente del Ritmo, Every Step of the Way
Where Have I Known You Before - Return To Forever
Year: 1974
Tracks: Vulcan Worlds, Where Have I Loved You Before, The Shadow Of Love, Where Have I
Danced With You Before, Beyond The Seventh Galaxy, Earth Juice, Where Have I Known You
Before, Song To The Pharoah Kings
School Days - Stanley Clarke
Year: 1976
Tracks: School Days, Quiet Afternoon, The Dancer, Desert Song, Hot Fun, Life Is Just A Game
Jaco Pastorius - Jaco Pastorius
Year: 1976
Tracks: Donna Lee, Come On, Come Over, Continuum, Kuru / Speak Like A Child, Portrait of Tracy,
Opus Pocus, Okonkole y Trompa, (Used To Be A) Cha-Cha, Forgotten Love, (Used To Be A) ChaCha, 6/4 Jam
Romantic Warrior - Return to Forever
Year: 1976
Tracks: Medieval Overture, Sorceress, The Romantic Warrior, Majestic Dance, The Magician, Duel
Of The Jester And The Tyrant
Heavy Weather - Weather Report
Year: 1977
Tracks: Birdland, A Remark You Made, Teen Town, Harlequin, Rumba Mama, Palladium, The
Juggler, Havona
Elegant Gypsy - Al Di Meola
Year: 1977
Tracks: Flight Over Rio, Midnight Tango, Mediterranean Sundance, Race With Devil on Spanish
Highway, Lady of Rome, Sister of Brazil, Elegant Gypsy Suite

HOMEWORK:
Bring in a chart with 5 copies for next week from the Jazz/Rock Fusion years between
1969-1979.