This document defines and discusses several jazz genres: - Fusion emerged in the late 1960s from Miles Davis' rock-inspired albums incorporating electric instruments. Notable fusion artists included Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, and Herbie Hancock. - Smooth jazz developed in the late 1970s and is heavily melodic, drawing from blues and R&B. Pioneers included Grover Washington Jr. and his influential album "Winelight". - Fusion can also refer more broadly to any blending of jazz with other styles, such as reggae fusion from Arturo Tappin and calypso fusion from Andre Woodvine.

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Fusion and fusion and Hard Bop
and Smooth

2. The Definitions
 Fusion – A specific rock inspired genre of Jazz
emerging at the end of the 60s
 fusion – Jazz mixed with any other folk or popular
genre.

3. Fusion
 Miles Davis under the influence of Jimi Hendrix
decided to abandon his modal post bop leanings
of the Mid-60s.
 Recorded two albums featuring some of the
musicians from his quintet.
 In a Silent Way and Bitches Brew.

4. Early Fusion Musical characteristics
 Miles’ early fusion featured collective improv. over
modal vamps.
 Was synthesised with trumpet with effects.
 Quavers were straight.

5. Musicians and groups formed.
 Chick Corea, (k) – Return to Forever.
 John Mcaughlin (g)– Mahavishnu Orchetra.
 Joe Zawinul (k) and Wayne Shorter (s) – Weather
Report.
 Herbie Hancok (k) Headhunters.

6. Later Fusion- M.C – M.O, RTF,
WR
 Dense harmonically.
 Complex melodies.
 Presence of long intricately arranged
compositions. Frequently with highly technical
unison phrases.
 Presence of time changes.
 Heavily synthesized. Hardly any acoustic
instruments found. Analog synthesizers and
Rhodes. Moogs, Junos etc.

7. Other Type
 This was not only fusion. HH was more compelled
by the funk culture.
 Herbie’s fusion ( GROOVE BASED) although
based on long modal vamps
 More melodic with eight bar phrases with notable
repetition of melodic material
 However, it shares the straight 8th feel along with
the Fusion genre.

8. Musical Examples
 Herbie Hancock – Herbie Hancock Box Set
 Miles Davis – Bitches Brew, In a Silent Way
 Mahvishnu Orchestra – Apocalypse
 Chick Corea – Music Forever and Beyond Dsc 2.

9. Smooth Jazz
 Late 70s . It is based heavily on the blues and
R & B singing tradition.
 It is heavily melodic with few (outside notes)
or notes removed from the natural major or
pentatonic scales.
 Perfect production as well as flawless tone is
emphasized with the melodic statements up
front and never ambiguous.
 Frequent remakes of pop and R&B tunes.

10. Grover Washington
 One of the earliest albums and probably one of
the most influential smooth jazz albums is Grover
Washington’s “Winelight”.

11. Other Artists
 Kenny G
 Dave Koz
 Gerald Albright.

12. Controversy
 Smooth Jazz is controversial in its definition as a
jazz style.
 It is the most popular and most divisive in Jazz
community.

13. M.E
 Grover Washington – Winelight.
 Kenny G – In the Moment

14. fusion
 Any type of music that is added with jazz styles.
 Usually jazz contributes harmony and melodic
approach.
 The other style contributes rhythm and
sometimes phrasing.
 E.g Reggae + Jazz- Arturo Tappin and Calypso +
Jazz – Andre Woodvine

15. Musical Examples
 Citronella – Andre Woodvine Group
 Java and Strictly Roots Jazz – Arturo Tappin
 Take 5 – C4

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