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Music genre

Jazz fusion

Jazz fusion is a music genre that emerged in United States and Europe in the 1950s. It is usually classed as a form of jazz. Explore its 2 subgenres, key artists and related styles.

About Jazz fusion

Jazz fusion is a music genre that emerged in United States and Europe in the 1950s. It is usually classed as a form of jazz.

Artists closely associated with the genre include Frank Zappa, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Eric Clapton, Miles Davis, Phil Collins and Paco de Lucía.

Jazz fusion has given rise to 2 subgenres on this site, such as Quiet storm and Straight-ahead jazz.

From Wikipedia

Jazz fusion (also known as jazz rock, jazz-rock fusion, or simply fusion) is a popular music genre that developed in the late 1960s when musicians combined jazz harmony and improvisation with rock music, funk, and rhythm and blues. Electric guitars and basses, amplifiers, and keyboard instruments (including electric pianos and organs) that were popular in rock began to be used by jazz musicians, particularly those who had grown up listening to rock and roll.

Jazz fusion arrangements vary in complexity. Some employ groove-based vamps fixed to a single key or a single chord with a simple, repeated melody. Others use elaborate chord progressions, unconventional time signatures, or melodies with counter-melodies, in a similar fashion to progressive rock. These arrangements, whether simple or complex, typically include improvised sections that can vary in length, much like in other forms of jazz.

Genre family tree

Parent genres (↑) and subgenres (↓) of Jazz fusion.

Key artists

  • Frank Zappa
  • Red Hot Chili Peppers
  • Eric Clapton
  • Miles Davis
  • Phil Collins
  • Paco de Lucía
  • Jeff Beck
  • Gary Moore
  • Herbie Hancock
  • Joe Satriani

Related genres

Frequently asked questions

What is Jazz fusion?

Jazz fusion is a music genre that emerged in United States and Europe in the 1950s. It is usually classed as a form of jazz.

Where and when did Jazz fusion originate?

Jazz fusion originated in United States and Europe in the 1950s.

Who are famous Jazz fusion artists?

Frank Zappa, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Eric Clapton, Miles Davis, Phil Collins and Paco de Lucía.

Sources & credits