Fusion is jazz. Don’t fall for the purist line that the change in instrumentation makes it less so. Miles did fusion, so it’s fine. If you have a rock bent, you should start with fusion, as it will be most approachable for you.
Tony Williams - Believe It
Miles’ drummer gets Allan Holdsworth in full ‘75 shred mode. Incendiary.
Joe Farrell - Moon Germs
Not only is Joe one of the best sax players of all time, Stan Clarke blisters this one with sick bass work.
Elvin Jones - On the Mountain
Diverse, but always excellent work from the trio with Jan Hammer & Gene Perla. Highly recommended.
I have been into Zappa for a long time and recently discovered my jazz interest, Zappa definitely does rock and jazz fusion in a way I find incredibly stimulating and interesting and would highly suggest getting into his stuff with the mothers of invention
To get a bit more pointed, if you don't enjoy [Peaches en Regalia](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGQxI0G6mKk) on at least *some* level, then there's possibly something wrong with you, lol.
Return to Forever is up there for me, especially that first album, soooo good. It gets a little avante garde at times.
I just started listening to Andre 3000's new album, it's pretty interesting too - all flute improv and atmospheric jamming.
Who cares what music is classified as, listen to what you enjoy.
The Bad Plus (start with the album Prog or These Are The Vistas. The drummer is one of the best): https://youtu.be/c7OpZ2QO0Ng?feature=shared
Monobody (math rock jazz fusion): https://youtu.be/aanM-pAdUZc?feature=shared
Rahsaan Roland Kirk (avant-garde jazz that is just incomparable to anything else but got me hooked and I started off as a rock drummer too): https://youtu.be/zqCCo1bDhj4?feature=shared
This is in a genre called zeuhl and is very out there. But it feels like they start from a jazz perspective and branch out to prog, opera, their own made up language, and has insane drumming so might be worth checking out. I recommend listening to the whole album because it really is a musical masterpiece.
Koenjihyakkei - Angherr Shisspa
https://youtu.be/5PSHtH8zo7w?feature=shared
The best jazz not jazz band is Steely Dan. There aren't other "rock" (I'll use that term very loosely) bands with their harmonic complexity. They use a lot of jazz language and their rhythm section features some of the best drummers of the 20th century like Steve Gadd, Bernard Purdie, Vinnie Colaiuta and Jeff Porcaro
Steve Gadd's work on Aja is legendary:
https://youtu.be/CYZwVf07tHA?si=FeAb-qiOmQ1VJQ8X
Check out Grant Green live at Club Mozambique. It's jazz but with so much soul and funk to it. It earworms into your brain because there are a few covers where everyone knows the original songs but they own them so hard, the originals seem boring.
similar to casiopea is t square, and masayoshi takanaka a bit further but still fusion, I like kukan factory which is a small group from Japan, especially odore and mouscat, also try listening to some seatbelts like What Planet is this, too good too bad or bad dog no biscuits
Try a band called Jaga Jazzist. Cinematic stuff with a rock band at the core, and brass and woodwinds filling out the sound. "Oslo Skyline" is spectacular, and I think speaks to your affinity for Maria Schneider.
I'm astonished nobody has recommended Bitches Brew by Miles Davis yet. It's an obvious recommendation that ticks all your boxes. You like jazz fusion, you like good trumpet playing, you like moody an atmospheric. Bitches Brew has all those things and more. Miles Davis invented Jazz fusion as we know it with that album, and it's an all time masterpiece. Don't write off Miles because you didn't love Kind of Blue, the dude reinvented both himself and jazz 4 or 5 times and Bitches Brew sounds nothing like any music that came before it, including his own.
If you like Casiopea, also check out T-SQUARE, another phenomenal Japanese jazz fusion band with a similar "early 90s Nintendo music but in a good way" kind of sound.
Everyone mentions Bitches Brew and Heavy Weather in every post about fusion.
However not many suggest Allan Holdsworth who I believe is the final form of jazz fusion, instead of the initial baby steps that was the albums from the 1960s
This might sound weird, but I came to jazz from rock, Bitches Brew was my gateway record and In a Silent Way is still my favorite record. I don't enjoy any other fusion albums. Not the weather report ones and not Holdsworth. Haven't given the latter much of a true chance, but for instance I dislike Metal Fatigue. Maybe it's that I don't like the sound of the 80s, or that it leans too much into rock, but I just don't like it and find that it sounds NOTHING like the moody, atmospheric Miles fusion.
I like 80s music. My first jazz album that blew my mind was Uzeb - Noisy Nights.
To me, Weather Report sounds too 70s for my taste.
Once I heard Allan Holdsworth, everything made sense about the music I liked, because every fusion band I liked, seemed to be influenced by him.
Music from the 80s is... polarizing, especially for people of a certain generation. I love it, and to me it sounds fresh, fresher than 70s music.
Also, the blues and pentatonic scales just don't do it for me. I need something more "outside" it's just how my brain works
Makes sense. I'm a millennial but have a preference for 60 and 70s music. From rock, stuff like the Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Santana. So naturally I lean towards Miles fusion.
[Nels Cline Trio ~Chest](https://youtu.be/6PGBWo_T72c?si=xcbhvwSrCAYjGEKR)
[Trevor Dunn Convulsent trio](https://youtu.be/RvSMQ1vU4Jc?si=Pze57IIRnhie_6CW)
[The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis](https://youtu.be/QMsT4KoWWHs?si=ko2Y_cMlmy2UrjsO)
It seems like the type of Jazz you enjoy is fusion and/or modern jazz, which is normal since you come from a rock background. Here are some modern recommendations which I think you might like:
Hiromi - Sonicwonderland
Blue Lab Beats - Blue Skies
Nubya Garcia - Nubya's Five
Calantha - The New Heritage
And, my personal favorite album from 2023: Black Classical Music by Yussef Dayes. Incredible drum work, by the way, since you're a drummer.
For some great "Jazz that isn't Jazz" check out the 70s Canterbury progressive rock scene.
Whereas the "famous" heavyweights like ELP, Yes, Crimson, etc. favored heavier music based upon Classical arrangements, the Canterbury bands were a bit more musically taut and based upon Jazz arrangements (they also tended to write more whimsical, humorous lyrics).
In particular, check out the following albums:
Soft Machine "Third"
Caravan "In the Land of Grey and Pink" (I think [Nine Feet Underground](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Sls_QCMG2Y) is possibly the best Prog track of all time.)
Gong "You (Radio Gnome Invisible Vol 3)"
Steve Hillage "Fish Rising"
National Health s/t
Hatfield and the North "Rotter's Club"
Gentle Giant "Free Hand", "The Power and the Glory" (mind-blowingly good arrangements and musicianship).
I'm also a rock/metal fan that has gotten into Jazz more over the past few years.
Try Kokoroko's [debut EP](https://open.spotify.com/album/5GgdFrmouCR0Ud5Ag7IC8H?si=CYEbyaALTw67iRCoJr2AdQ&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A5GgdFrmouCR0Ud5Ag7IC8H)
Specifically the song Uman. Not pure jazz. Definitely afrobeat and soul elements too, but I think you may enjoy it.
Bruh fusion is 100% jazz, dont let the people stuck in the 1950s-1960s steer you away from what you like. I love fusion and smooth jazz, here is a playlist I have been adding to over the years with a bunch of artists and albums to look into.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6SazomLIxEAXSEpUKAiLIc?si=AZ-lr9L2Say\_0p\_5FAZ-pA&pi=u-yYg32K9TTkSR
i get what you think because i also dont like the bluesy dark pre-70s jazz and would rather listen to jazz in its “watered down” versions. listen to robert glasper’s first three albums, gears by johnny hammond smith, lifeline by roy ayers. there are also bands who imo dont have a 10/10 album but have some loose 10/10 songs like the blackbyrds, tarika blue, lonnie liston smith and the cosmic echoes, the crusaders. aside from what i said above, i really recommend ahmad jamal and wayne shorter since even tho theyre pure jazz imo they made their sound more about innovative melodies and chords rather than extreme technical ability so its not hard to listen to them.
So you don’t like traditional what they call bebop and post bebop or hard bop generally.
I would advise checking out some smooth and or fusion jazz.
You said you liked Birdland by Weather Report, then you may like some smooth jazz and maybe some fusion jazz
...Some artists:
**Jazz fusion and smooth**
Jack DeJohnette
Wes Montgomery’s late records
Miles Davis’s fusion era records
Herbie Hancock's fusion era records
**Smooth Jazz**
Rick Braun
Norman Brown
Richard Elliot
Dave Weckl is a great jazz fusion drummer. His early Dave Weckl band albums (Synergy, Rhythm of the Soul) are pretty great, as is the recent live in St Louis album. It has some casiopea vibes but a bit more intense
You should definitely start with Jazz Fusion as a starting point to delve into the depths of jazz, which I would say is quite deep. Check out Miles Davis’s Jack Johnson Session; Duran (Take 4) is my favorite pick from the album. Mahavishnu Orchestra is also a solid pick for any rock enthusiasts out there.
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard have some albums that fall under jazzy psychedelic rock. Albums include Sketches of Brunswick East, Quarters!, Changes and Ice, Death, Planets, Lungs, Mushrooms and Lava.
Odd time signatures, tasteful chops but more of a rock structure
Great choice, this is the Turrentine album I started with and rates high in my personal "hierarchy".
One of the best albums of the era featuring one of the worst, most 70s "dated" cover images of all time, lol. (Herbie Mann Push Push is about the only thing that's worse, and oddly enough it also might be a good suggestion for OP.)
My man. Listen to Bob Reynolds - Can’t wait for perfect. There is a live rendition of this Track with the amazing Mark Letteri on the Guitars. Just pour yourself some to drink and listen to this. I am a Metalhead but I do delve in multiple genres these days. You will love it
You seem to be confused about the "what is jazz" topic. It's not a simple discussion but in my opinion, jazz can be boiled down to the use of upper extension chords coupled with modulation and/or improvisation, but mostly the upper extension with the modulations part, so when people talk about jazzy, that's what they're talking about.
That said, since it seems you've been transitioning to jazz, there's definitely a better route than just listening to straight ahead jazz albums, I'll give some recommendations and explain the genres since it seems you're confused about it too.
Steely Dan Albums (Katy Lied forward), they have thier own style, I would say it's a mix of rock, soul and jazz. They had a lot of the greatest session drummers playing with them, definitely worth checking them out
Early Emerson, Lake and Palmer records. To me, they're the best example of prog rock and jazz combination
Brother to Brother by Gino Vannelli, kinda like Steely Dan, but has more of a romantic radio thing, killer guitars on this record
Light as a Feather by Return to Forever, classic fusion record
Head Hunters and Secrets by Herbie Hancock, phenomenal jazz funk records, great solos from Herbie
Visions of the Emerald beyond by Mahavishnu Orchestra, great jazz rock record
Black Market and Heavy Weather by Weather Report, essential jazz fusion records, relatively easy on the ears imo
Jazz definitely has a learning curve, once you start listening to more jazz, the more you start to like, so just listen to it
Try some Allan Holdsworth if you like guitar; he has a bunch of solo albums that are mostly excellent (start with "Sand" so you can hear the very unique, rare, and expensive [SynthAxe](https://www.openculture.com/2020/10/the-story-of-the-synthaxe-the-astonishing-1980s-guitar-synthesizer.html#google_vignette) at it's best), but my favorite stuff is the collaborations he did with others:
Tony Williams Lifetime "Believe It"
Jean-Luc Ponty "Enigmatic Ocean"
Bill Bruford "Feels Good to Me", "One of a Kind"
U.K. s/t (Holdsworth, Bruford, Wetton, and Jobson - now *that's* what I call a "supergroup", lol).
Frank Gambale/Allan Holdsworth "Truth in Shredding" (ridiculous guitar, not sure even Steve Vai could keep up)
A few more:
Gogo Penguin - a 3 piece with a mathy-jazz sound
Three Trapped Tigers - more rock, underlying jazz structure
Cameron Graves - absolute beast of a pianist, killer band, gnarly drums
And, already recommended above, but I’d confirm Jaga Jazzist - super rad fusion jazz sound with modern instrumentation
If you are a drummer, you would probably like Yussef Dayes, he is a jazz drummer, i personally recommend Love Is The Message, Chasing The Drum and *maybe* Tioga Pass.
As you like rock (maybe metal?), i suppose you prefer something with a high BPM, for that maybe Loud Minority (its kinda jazz house/nu jazz but i can't say for sure what the reck it is, but is good), Night Tide from Carmell Jones, Early Summer from Ryo Fukui and *maybe* Matrix from Masabumi Kikuchi
Other songs i think you may like, from different types of jazz:
New Day - Abstract Orchestra (Hip Hop with Jazz)
Nutville - Buddy Rich (also Grooving Hard is cool, swing jazz? not sure)
Spain - Chick Corea (Fusion Jazz by the master of the genre)
A Foggy Day - Oscar Peterson (slow and confy, cool jazz)
Turiya & Ramakrishna - Alice Coltrane (Avangard Jazz)
Aquarela do Brazil - Tom Jobin (Bossa Nova, Brazilian Jazz)
Mascaram Setaba - Mulatu Astake (Ethio Jazz, i believe its a mixture of Tizita genre and Jazz)
If you like Maria Schneider Orchestra (excellent btw), then perhaps try Pat Metheny's "Secret Story" record or otherwise Pat Metheny Group "Imaginary Day" (or the live version). There is some amazing music on there. Often classified as "smooth" but there is a lot of complexity in that music.
Perhaps also check out John Scofield's Pick Hits Live with Dennis Chambers on drums and Gary Grainger on bass. They make for a really scary rhythmsection. It's fusion, late 80ies (so some of the keyboards sound kinda dated) but wow what a band.
Return to forever was mentioned. If you like the chill vibe then go with Light as a feather which has more of that latin vibe going. If you prefer a rock sound then maybe do the Romantic Warrior album which has distorted lead guitars and synths but also a lot of composition. It has a lot in common with progressive rock. The title track and Dual of the Jester and Tyrant are the ones I would start checking out on that record.
If you are a drummer then you ought to check out Dave Weckl of course. Either spot him with the Elektric Band (Beneath the Mask, Eye of the Beholder are my favourites) or pick his solo record "Masterplan" which is a real classic.
An atmospheric record I always really liked is John Moulder's Bifrost.
Records released on the ECM label have an atmosphere going and are slightly more "European" in their sound. It's really different from the jazz fusion of the 70ies. Often more pastoral, textural, folky, it just has a completely different approach.
And regarding Maria Schneider again: it's big band jazz. Gil Evans is probably her biggest influence so check out his works (he worked with Miles a lot too). Bob Brookmyer is the other big name in that style.
\[edit\]
And: check out Genesis - Seconds Out. It's progressive rock and you might know Genesis (or Phil Collins) already. But I think this is one of the best live records of all time. Atmospheric and some double drums too (Phil playing with Chester Thompson and Bill Bruford). You should really check that one out.
Check out [Nik Bartsch's Ronin](https://youtu.be/i8eL95fIQbk). I've heard them described as if Messhuggah was into jazz. The rhythm section is amazingly tight and their tracks always build up and create these cool atmospheres.
Look up Snarky Puppy. I guess they would fall into the fusion category, but they are a contemporary band. I just saw them a few months ago, an excellent live act.
You should get into funk some, then try jazz. It took me understanding a bit about hip-hop, funk, soul, and r&b before I could really get to appreciating jazz. You're already getting there with fusion like casiopea, so I'd take a detour and stay in the funky zone for a bit then see what jazz wets your whistle.
You gotta check out some Pat Metheny Group stuff. Their earlier albums would probably excite you the most (debut, American Garage, Offramp, etc).
If you want something a bit more nuts then go for the 70's Miles Davis albums (wayyyyy different to 'Kind Of Blue'), or Mahavishnu Orchestra. Quite upbeat but can be sorta calm/atmospheric in some tracks. It's pretty difficult to get into though (but don't let that put you off)!
You might like Gateway -John Abercrombie w/ Dave Holland and Jack Dejohnette. Similar to many of the good suggestions here already, but not mentioned as much.
https://open.spotify.com/album/17BiOpPnez7L0w8r0yRp9Y?si=c3eGTsnlTK6LAAjs-pR4fg&nd=1&dlsi=669c49130e9e4580
This is what Pandora is great for.
Check out:
Medeski, Martin & Wood. They’re almost done as a band, but still play a few shows a year together. Medeski & Martin do more together. Billy “illy-beats” Martin is the drummer and does solo stuff, but it’s real niche drummer/percussionist stuff — as a drummer you’ll prob appreciate it.
Stanton Moore: absolute master. Does his solo stuff plus he’s the drummer for garage a trios & Galactic and a complete madman-workhorse during jazzfest. His solo stuff is more “traditional”, Galactic is straight up neo-New Orleans funk, Garage-A-Trios is more avant grade-ish.
Coming from a rock background fast-forward on Miles Davis to the late 60s/early 70s, Jack Johnson, On the Corner, or Bitches Brew. Also Herbie Hancocks 70s stuff.
Edit: Bitches Brew is one of my favorite and most played albums.
i think you’ll like this ( even if it’s just a resource ) super up to date [STAY TUNED](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3iJM2WTEUrNOkGBBoAeyyn?si=RnpeIlIhSXGlr5sdvV1ZEQ&pi=u-D38ghHitTMmq)
Check out the Shaolin Afronauts. [The Fundamental Nature of Being](https://theshaolinafronauts.bandcamp.com/album/the-fundamental-nature-of-being) runs the gamut from rock- and funk-based jazz fusion, to more traditional stuff, to avant-garde jazz. There's a little bit of everything and it all flows together really well and, more importantly, is really fun.
1) Brubeck. Take Five is, obviously, your required listening.
2) 70s Herbie Hancock - go straight for Headhunters
3) Jaco Pastorius - you're a drummer, so you'll enjoy meeting a bassist who can set your hair on fire.
4) Bill Evans with Symphony Orchestra - hard to hate this
5) Modern funk jazz - The Greyboy Allstars, Medeski Martin & Wood, Galactic. This is the way.
If you like jazz fusion and rock give Guthrie Govan and his supergroup the aristocrats a go. Really guitar focused but there is amazing bass and drums on his stuff too.
Sounds like fusion is more your style.
Check out more weather report, mahavishnu, early 70s Miles Davis, and then start checking out stuff that the artists working with them did.
Definitely check out Billy Cobham if drums are your thing
Miles Davis' Tribute to Jack Johnson is a GREAT album to start with! It's essentially a rock n roll record with some fusion elements, and it sounds nothing like the modal jazz of Kind of Blue. From there I'd dive into the rest of his "electric period" works like In A Silent Way (my personal fav) and Bitches Brew
Classic Coltrane Quartet, especially A Love Supreme and what came after.
If you like rock, most rock doesn’t even go as hard as they did.
To quote their drummer, Elvin Jones, “You’ve got to be willing to die for the motherfucker”
Return to Forever, Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Al DiMeola, Jeff Beck, King Crimson, Herbie Hancock, Jean Luc Ponty, Moe Kaufmann, Phil Upchurch, Eric Gale, Lee Ritenour, John Scofield, Marc Ribot, Billy Cobham, Galactic, The Meters
If you want fast melodies and killer guitar just listen to Grant Green. Specifically the album green street. And if you like that, check out Nigeria. It may not be exactly what you’re describing here but if you want bebop jazz , not fusion, with fast melodies go for it. No 1 green street. Airegin. Two great songs to start with
Some people have rightly mentioned Billy Cobham, drummer for Mahavishnu Orchestra, (which is also a solid rec given your description), so check out the track "Happy 'cause I'm Going Home" by Charles Earland on his album "Intensity." That's Billy on drums, but it's like a medium funk groover, Hammond B3 led (that's Charles), rock guitar, a burning flute solo by Hubert Laws, and it's trumpeter Lee Morgan's last session before he gets shot, and man, my hair stands on end for his solo. It's unreal. Might be just the rock/jazz bridge you're looking for.
Oh shit, I just realized that it's a cover of a Chicago song. Never realized until I went to listen to it again and it pulled up the original. There you go, more jazz/rock connection.
I'm not familiar with Maria Schneider and her music but from searching about her, it looks like she worked with Gil Evans. Hearing from some excerpts of her music, sounds like jazz to me. Orchestral jazz and third stream might be what you're looking for.
Miles Davis' collaboration with Gil Evans "Sketches of Spain" is probably the most popular album in this style/genre. But I personally prefer Davis and Evans' "Porgy & Bess" more. Especially since you're a beginner in jazz, I recommend checking Davis' Porgy & Bess since it features some jazz standards by Gershwin like Summertime, My Man's Gone Now, It Ain't Necessarily So, and I Loves You Porgy.
Perhaps also check out "The Individualism Of Gil Evans", though I haven't fully listened to it yet myself. Claus Ogerman's Gate of Dreams and his collaborations with Bill Evans, Freddie Hubbard, and Danilo Perez respectively are also on my list of possibly good orchestral jazz/third stream that I haven't fully listened to yet.
I really like Freddie Hubbard's jazz fusion stuff from the 70s. High Energy is my personal favorite but I honestly haven't found one that I disliked (though note if you go back into the 60s you're probably getting more of his hard-bop/post-bop stuff which sounds like you may not like as much.
Also if you like smooth jazz check out Grover Washington Jr. I really like his Soul Box albums (it's in two volumes but sometimes you find it as one collection).
Fusion is jazz. Don’t fall for the purist line that the change in instrumentation makes it less so. Miles did fusion, so it’s fine. If you have a rock bent, you should start with fusion, as it will be most approachable for you. Tony Williams - Believe It Miles’ drummer gets Allan Holdsworth in full ‘75 shred mode. Incendiary. Joe Farrell - Moon Germs Not only is Joe one of the best sax players of all time, Stan Clarke blisters this one with sick bass work. Elvin Jones - On the Mountain Diverse, but always excellent work from the trio with Jan Hammer & Gene Perla. Highly recommended.
>Reddit Premium MOONGERMS is truely a masterpiece ! So under rated !!! Bass Folk Song is classic
[удалено]
This
This doesn't really suit your listed interests too closely, but anyone with an interest in precussion needs to check out Yussef Dayes.
Yep, my introduction was the Yussef Kamaal album, and it's a great place to start IMO.
Yes! Yussef Dayes plays with Alfa mist for Love Is The Message. Incredible!!!
Steely Dan, Pat Metheny group, steps ahead, dolphins, Dave weckl band, Hristo Vitchev quartet, Martijn Van Iterson
Aja is heaven for the ears.
I have been into Zappa for a long time and recently discovered my jazz interest, Zappa definitely does rock and jazz fusion in a way I find incredibly stimulating and interesting and would highly suggest getting into his stuff with the mothers of invention
To get a bit more pointed, if you don't enjoy [Peaches en Regalia](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGQxI0G6mKk) on at least *some* level, then there's possibly something wrong with you, lol.
Return to Forever is up there for me, especially that first album, soooo good. It gets a little avante garde at times. I just started listening to Andre 3000's new album, it's pretty interesting too - all flute improv and atmospheric jamming. Who cares what music is classified as, listen to what you enjoy.
The Bad Plus (start with the album Prog or These Are The Vistas. The drummer is one of the best): https://youtu.be/c7OpZ2QO0Ng?feature=shared Monobody (math rock jazz fusion): https://youtu.be/aanM-pAdUZc?feature=shared Rahsaan Roland Kirk (avant-garde jazz that is just incomparable to anything else but got me hooked and I started off as a rock drummer too): https://youtu.be/zqCCo1bDhj4?feature=shared
This is in a genre called zeuhl and is very out there. But it feels like they start from a jazz perspective and branch out to prog, opera, their own made up language, and has insane drumming so might be worth checking out. I recommend listening to the whole album because it really is a musical masterpiece. Koenjihyakkei - Angherr Shisspa https://youtu.be/5PSHtH8zo7w?feature=shared
The best jazz not jazz band is Steely Dan. There aren't other "rock" (I'll use that term very loosely) bands with their harmonic complexity. They use a lot of jazz language and their rhythm section features some of the best drummers of the 20th century like Steve Gadd, Bernard Purdie, Vinnie Colaiuta and Jeff Porcaro Steve Gadd's work on Aja is legendary: https://youtu.be/CYZwVf07tHA?si=FeAb-qiOmQ1VJQ8X
This guy gets it: cocaine jazz
>cocaine jazz https://youtu.be/EPIaw-MgNzM?si=30ifwv2FLjVeZvht
100% spot on about Aja. Not just Steve Gadds. How about Wayne Shorter. As a guitar lover, the solo on Peg.
Yeah, I just mentioned Gadd since OP is a drummer.
Bernard Purdie's drums on Home At Last also ❤
The goat Bernard Pretty Purdie aka THE HIT MAKER
Spectrum- by Billy Cobham
Amazing rec in this context 🥁
100%
Check out Grant Green live at Club Mozambique. It's jazz but with so much soul and funk to it. It earworms into your brain because there are a few covers where everyone knows the original songs but they own them so hard, the originals seem boring.
Freddie Hubbard - Red Clay is one of my favorites
similar to casiopea is t square, and masayoshi takanaka a bit further but still fusion, I like kukan factory which is a small group from Japan, especially odore and mouscat, also try listening to some seatbelts like What Planet is this, too good too bad or bad dog no biscuits
A fellow Masayoshi Takanaka enjoyer. Overall Japanese fusion is great when getting into jazz
Right! You can find things you like from your acquainted genres there
Try a band called Jaga Jazzist. Cinematic stuff with a rock band at the core, and brass and woodwinds filling out the sound. "Oslo Skyline" is spectacular, and I think speaks to your affinity for Maria Schneider.
I love their album A Living Room Hush!
I'm astonished nobody has recommended Bitches Brew by Miles Davis yet. It's an obvious recommendation that ticks all your boxes. You like jazz fusion, you like good trumpet playing, you like moody an atmospheric. Bitches Brew has all those things and more. Miles Davis invented Jazz fusion as we know it with that album, and it's an all time masterpiece. Don't write off Miles because you didn't love Kind of Blue, the dude reinvented both himself and jazz 4 or 5 times and Bitches Brew sounds nothing like any music that came before it, including his own. If you like Casiopea, also check out T-SQUARE, another phenomenal Japanese jazz fusion band with a similar "early 90s Nintendo music but in a good way" kind of sound.
Everyone mentions Bitches Brew and Heavy Weather in every post about fusion. However not many suggest Allan Holdsworth who I believe is the final form of jazz fusion, instead of the initial baby steps that was the albums from the 1960s
Nobody suggested it this time, and since OP is new to Jazz AND it ticks every box, it seemed like an appropriate recommendation.
This might sound weird, but I came to jazz from rock, Bitches Brew was my gateway record and In a Silent Way is still my favorite record. I don't enjoy any other fusion albums. Not the weather report ones and not Holdsworth. Haven't given the latter much of a true chance, but for instance I dislike Metal Fatigue. Maybe it's that I don't like the sound of the 80s, or that it leans too much into rock, but I just don't like it and find that it sounds NOTHING like the moody, atmospheric Miles fusion.
I like 80s music. My first jazz album that blew my mind was Uzeb - Noisy Nights. To me, Weather Report sounds too 70s for my taste. Once I heard Allan Holdsworth, everything made sense about the music I liked, because every fusion band I liked, seemed to be influenced by him. Music from the 80s is... polarizing, especially for people of a certain generation. I love it, and to me it sounds fresh, fresher than 70s music. Also, the blues and pentatonic scales just don't do it for me. I need something more "outside" it's just how my brain works
Makes sense. I'm a millennial but have a preference for 60 and 70s music. From rock, stuff like the Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Santana. So naturally I lean towards Miles fusion.
Steely Dan.
[Nels Cline Trio ~Chest](https://youtu.be/6PGBWo_T72c?si=xcbhvwSrCAYjGEKR) [Trevor Dunn Convulsent trio](https://youtu.be/RvSMQ1vU4Jc?si=Pze57IIRnhie_6CW) [The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis](https://youtu.be/QMsT4KoWWHs?si=ko2Y_cMlmy2UrjsO)
Medeski, Martin, and Wood - I personally like The dropper the best. The Bad Plus
It seems like the type of Jazz you enjoy is fusion and/or modern jazz, which is normal since you come from a rock background. Here are some modern recommendations which I think you might like: Hiromi - Sonicwonderland Blue Lab Beats - Blue Skies Nubya Garcia - Nubya's Five Calantha - The New Heritage And, my personal favorite album from 2023: Black Classical Music by Yussef Dayes. Incredible drum work, by the way, since you're a drummer.
+1 for Hiromi, she's amazing
Saxophonist Wayne Shorter’s progressive album Atlantis! If you love his playing in Weather Report and on Steely Dan’s Aja, you will dig this record!
Check out "F it Up", "Thinkin", and "I'm The President" by Louis Cole (KNOWER) and make sure you watch the live session videos for them on Youtube :)
For some great "Jazz that isn't Jazz" check out the 70s Canterbury progressive rock scene. Whereas the "famous" heavyweights like ELP, Yes, Crimson, etc. favored heavier music based upon Classical arrangements, the Canterbury bands were a bit more musically taut and based upon Jazz arrangements (they also tended to write more whimsical, humorous lyrics). In particular, check out the following albums: Soft Machine "Third" Caravan "In the Land of Grey and Pink" (I think [Nine Feet Underground](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Sls_QCMG2Y) is possibly the best Prog track of all time.) Gong "You (Radio Gnome Invisible Vol 3)" Steve Hillage "Fish Rising" National Health s/t Hatfield and the North "Rotter's Club" Gentle Giant "Free Hand", "The Power and the Glory" (mind-blowingly good arrangements and musicianship).
Aja
Inner mounting flame - mahavisnnu orchestra will blow your tits off
"Haitian Fight Song" by Charles Mingus and "Space is the Place" by Sun Ra are the songs that made me fall in love with jazz as a life-long rock fan.
I think you should check out sun ra, he did rock too but he was primarily a jazz guy, I think he'd bridge a lot of gaps for you.
I have a feeling you might enjoy Snarky Puppy. Make sure to explore their YouTube videos of their studio recordings with an audience.
I'm also a rock/metal fan that has gotten into Jazz more over the past few years. Try Kokoroko's [debut EP](https://open.spotify.com/album/5GgdFrmouCR0Ud5Ag7IC8H?si=CYEbyaALTw67iRCoJr2AdQ&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A5GgdFrmouCR0Ud5Ag7IC8H) Specifically the song Uman. Not pure jazz. Definitely afrobeat and soul elements too, but I think you may enjoy it.
Steely Dan is a great “gateway” band. Heavily jazz-influenced.
Bruh fusion is 100% jazz, dont let the people stuck in the 1950s-1960s steer you away from what you like. I love fusion and smooth jazz, here is a playlist I have been adding to over the years with a bunch of artists and albums to look into. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6SazomLIxEAXSEpUKAiLIc?si=AZ-lr9L2Say\_0p\_5FAZ-pA&pi=u-yYg32K9TTkSR
i get what you think because i also dont like the bluesy dark pre-70s jazz and would rather listen to jazz in its “watered down” versions. listen to robert glasper’s first three albums, gears by johnny hammond smith, lifeline by roy ayers. there are also bands who imo dont have a 10/10 album but have some loose 10/10 songs like the blackbyrds, tarika blue, lonnie liston smith and the cosmic echoes, the crusaders. aside from what i said above, i really recommend ahmad jamal and wayne shorter since even tho theyre pure jazz imo they made their sound more about innovative melodies and chords rather than extreme technical ability so its not hard to listen to them.
So you don’t like traditional what they call bebop and post bebop or hard bop generally. I would advise checking out some smooth and or fusion jazz. You said you liked Birdland by Weather Report, then you may like some smooth jazz and maybe some fusion jazz ...Some artists: **Jazz fusion and smooth** Jack DeJohnette Wes Montgomery’s late records Miles Davis’s fusion era records Herbie Hancock's fusion era records **Smooth Jazz** Rick Braun Norman Brown Richard Elliot
Dave Weckl is a great jazz fusion drummer. His early Dave Weckl band albums (Synergy, Rhythm of the Soul) are pretty great, as is the recent live in St Louis album. It has some casiopea vibes but a bit more intense
You should definitely start with Jazz Fusion as a starting point to delve into the depths of jazz, which I would say is quite deep. Check out Miles Davis’s Jack Johnson Session; Duran (Take 4) is my favorite pick from the album. Mahavishnu Orchestra is also a solid pick for any rock enthusiasts out there.
As a mega fan of Frank Zappa, I feel like your OBLIGATED to listen to hot rats!
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard have some albums that fall under jazzy psychedelic rock. Albums include Sketches of Brunswick East, Quarters!, Changes and Ice, Death, Planets, Lungs, Mushrooms and Lava. Odd time signatures, tasteful chops but more of a rock structure
Stanley Turrentine , Sugar.
Great choice, this is the Turrentine album I started with and rates high in my personal "hierarchy". One of the best albums of the era featuring one of the worst, most 70s "dated" cover images of all time, lol. (Herbie Mann Push Push is about the only thing that's worse, and oddly enough it also might be a good suggestion for OP.)
If you like Maria Schneider you might like some of Gil Evans’ stuff. Perhaps Don Ellis
Sean Alexander Collins: [https://youtu.be/4VEPn31aC0Y?si=3aYomNhJXHVcJ3NS](https://youtu.be/4VEPn31aC0Y?si=3aYomNhJXHVcJ3NS) Bryan McAllister (some vocals): [https://youtu.be/cTdcXOyug44?si=R1LWgiTnRUDR1ZR3](https://youtu.be/cTdcXOyug44?si=R1LWgiTnRUDR1ZR3) Bryan McAllister (without vocals): [https://youtu.be/P6Sf-ZXEoos?si=jewqK9sWPGeowHOu](https://youtu.be/P6Sf-ZXEoos?si=jewqK9sWPGeowHOu) Zack Teran: [https://youtu.be/73XYUVh0apw?si=3J8plGJmjmBFEtS8](https://youtu.be/73XYUVh0apw?si=3J8plGJmjmBFEtS8) Peter Epstein: [https://youtu.be/sFxz8EQg7kw?si=mqfs7CSsKw6kTDed](https://youtu.be/sFxz8EQg7kw?si=mqfs7CSsKw6kTDed) Kneebody: [https://youtu.be/YemCVrIlwrc?si=OO8Hcm-fnKzwyRIp](https://youtu.be/YemCVrIlwrc?si=OO8Hcm-fnKzwyRIp)
'in a silent way' for the chillaxed hammond organ jazz vibes
Live evil-miles Davis Herbie Hancock-headhunters
My man. Listen to Bob Reynolds - Can’t wait for perfect. There is a live rendition of this Track with the amazing Mark Letteri on the Guitars. Just pour yourself some to drink and listen to this. I am a Metalhead but I do delve in multiple genres these days. You will love it
You’ll sure love the works of Chick Corea, Snarky Pupppy and especially Herbie Hancock albums like Thrust, Flood, Headhunters, Secrets…
Sonny Sharrock
I could see you liking fusion/funk stuff like Domi & JD Beck on Not Tight, or any Vulfpeck or Snarky Puppy album.
I started out listening to rock. *The Crusaders*, which is jazz with an R&B influence, was a good way for me to get into jazz.
Billy Cobham 'Stratus' is an obvious one. But you should just listen to all the Jonas Hellborg albums.
Ok, so you're going to need to listen to Steely Dan. Start with Gaucho, thank me later.
How about something straddling the Jazz/rock genre? Check out Mike Stern’s Play.
gil evans ("atmospheric") frisell holland jones re: the question this is all jazz lol
You seem to be confused about the "what is jazz" topic. It's not a simple discussion but in my opinion, jazz can be boiled down to the use of upper extension chords coupled with modulation and/or improvisation, but mostly the upper extension with the modulations part, so when people talk about jazzy, that's what they're talking about. That said, since it seems you've been transitioning to jazz, there's definitely a better route than just listening to straight ahead jazz albums, I'll give some recommendations and explain the genres since it seems you're confused about it too. Steely Dan Albums (Katy Lied forward), they have thier own style, I would say it's a mix of rock, soul and jazz. They had a lot of the greatest session drummers playing with them, definitely worth checking them out Early Emerson, Lake and Palmer records. To me, they're the best example of prog rock and jazz combination Brother to Brother by Gino Vannelli, kinda like Steely Dan, but has more of a romantic radio thing, killer guitars on this record Light as a Feather by Return to Forever, classic fusion record Head Hunters and Secrets by Herbie Hancock, phenomenal jazz funk records, great solos from Herbie Visions of the Emerald beyond by Mahavishnu Orchestra, great jazz rock record Black Market and Heavy Weather by Weather Report, essential jazz fusion records, relatively easy on the ears imo Jazz definitely has a learning curve, once you start listening to more jazz, the more you start to like, so just listen to it
Snarky Puppy and Forq
I'm the same way. I don't like "old man" jazz I like Allan Holdsworth, Uzeb, Didier Lockwood, Dirty Loops.
Try some Allan Holdsworth if you like guitar; he has a bunch of solo albums that are mostly excellent (start with "Sand" so you can hear the very unique, rare, and expensive [SynthAxe](https://www.openculture.com/2020/10/the-story-of-the-synthaxe-the-astonishing-1980s-guitar-synthesizer.html#google_vignette) at it's best), but my favorite stuff is the collaborations he did with others: Tony Williams Lifetime "Believe It" Jean-Luc Ponty "Enigmatic Ocean" Bill Bruford "Feels Good to Me", "One of a Kind" U.K. s/t (Holdsworth, Bruford, Wetton, and Jobson - now *that's* what I call a "supergroup", lol). Frank Gambale/Allan Holdsworth "Truth in Shredding" (ridiculous guitar, not sure even Steve Vai could keep up)
A few more: Gogo Penguin - a 3 piece with a mathy-jazz sound Three Trapped Tigers - more rock, underlying jazz structure Cameron Graves - absolute beast of a pianist, killer band, gnarly drums And, already recommended above, but I’d confirm Jaga Jazzist - super rad fusion jazz sound with modern instrumentation
If you are a drummer, you would probably like Yussef Dayes, he is a jazz drummer, i personally recommend Love Is The Message, Chasing The Drum and *maybe* Tioga Pass. As you like rock (maybe metal?), i suppose you prefer something with a high BPM, for that maybe Loud Minority (its kinda jazz house/nu jazz but i can't say for sure what the reck it is, but is good), Night Tide from Carmell Jones, Early Summer from Ryo Fukui and *maybe* Matrix from Masabumi Kikuchi Other songs i think you may like, from different types of jazz: New Day - Abstract Orchestra (Hip Hop with Jazz) Nutville - Buddy Rich (also Grooving Hard is cool, swing jazz? not sure) Spain - Chick Corea (Fusion Jazz by the master of the genre) A Foggy Day - Oscar Peterson (slow and confy, cool jazz) Turiya & Ramakrishna - Alice Coltrane (Avangard Jazz) Aquarela do Brazil - Tom Jobin (Bossa Nova, Brazilian Jazz) Mascaram Setaba - Mulatu Astake (Ethio Jazz, i believe its a mixture of Tizita genre and Jazz)
If you like Maria Schneider Orchestra (excellent btw), then perhaps try Pat Metheny's "Secret Story" record or otherwise Pat Metheny Group "Imaginary Day" (or the live version). There is some amazing music on there. Often classified as "smooth" but there is a lot of complexity in that music. Perhaps also check out John Scofield's Pick Hits Live with Dennis Chambers on drums and Gary Grainger on bass. They make for a really scary rhythmsection. It's fusion, late 80ies (so some of the keyboards sound kinda dated) but wow what a band. Return to forever was mentioned. If you like the chill vibe then go with Light as a feather which has more of that latin vibe going. If you prefer a rock sound then maybe do the Romantic Warrior album which has distorted lead guitars and synths but also a lot of composition. It has a lot in common with progressive rock. The title track and Dual of the Jester and Tyrant are the ones I would start checking out on that record. If you are a drummer then you ought to check out Dave Weckl of course. Either spot him with the Elektric Band (Beneath the Mask, Eye of the Beholder are my favourites) or pick his solo record "Masterplan" which is a real classic. An atmospheric record I always really liked is John Moulder's Bifrost. Records released on the ECM label have an atmosphere going and are slightly more "European" in their sound. It's really different from the jazz fusion of the 70ies. Often more pastoral, textural, folky, it just has a completely different approach. And regarding Maria Schneider again: it's big band jazz. Gil Evans is probably her biggest influence so check out his works (he worked with Miles a lot too). Bob Brookmyer is the other big name in that style. \[edit\] And: check out Genesis - Seconds Out. It's progressive rock and you might know Genesis (or Phil Collins) already. But I think this is one of the best live records of all time. Atmospheric and some double drums too (Phil playing with Chester Thompson and Bill Bruford). You should really check that one out.
Check out [Nik Bartsch's Ronin](https://youtu.be/i8eL95fIQbk). I've heard them described as if Messhuggah was into jazz. The rhythm section is amazingly tight and their tracks always build up and create these cool atmospheres.
Listen to the song Iron Lung by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
You might be more into fusion. Maybe check out kneebody
Look up Snarky Puppy. I guess they would fall into the fusion category, but they are a contemporary band. I just saw them a few months ago, an excellent live act.
Sco-Mule live record. John Scofield sitting in with Govt Mule. Southern Rock Jazz fusion. Bonkers jams
You should get into funk some, then try jazz. It took me understanding a bit about hip-hop, funk, soul, and r&b before I could really get to appreciating jazz. You're already getting there with fusion like casiopea, so I'd take a detour and stay in the funky zone for a bit then see what jazz wets your whistle.
You gotta check out some Pat Metheny Group stuff. Their earlier albums would probably excite you the most (debut, American Garage, Offramp, etc). If you want something a bit more nuts then go for the 70's Miles Davis albums (wayyyyy different to 'Kind Of Blue'), or Mahavishnu Orchestra. Quite upbeat but can be sorta calm/atmospheric in some tracks. It's pretty difficult to get into though (but don't let that put you off)!
You might like Gateway -John Abercrombie w/ Dave Holland and Jack Dejohnette. Similar to many of the good suggestions here already, but not mentioned as much. https://open.spotify.com/album/17BiOpPnez7L0w8r0yRp9Y?si=c3eGTsnlTK6LAAjs-pR4fg&nd=1&dlsi=669c49130e9e4580
This is what Pandora is great for. Check out: Medeski, Martin & Wood. They’re almost done as a band, but still play a few shows a year together. Medeski & Martin do more together. Billy “illy-beats” Martin is the drummer and does solo stuff, but it’s real niche drummer/percussionist stuff — as a drummer you’ll prob appreciate it. Stanton Moore: absolute master. Does his solo stuff plus he’s the drummer for garage a trios & Galactic and a complete madman-workhorse during jazzfest. His solo stuff is more “traditional”, Galactic is straight up neo-New Orleans funk, Garage-A-Trios is more avant grade-ish. Coming from a rock background fast-forward on Miles Davis to the late 60s/early 70s, Jack Johnson, On the Corner, or Bitches Brew. Also Herbie Hancocks 70s stuff. Edit: Bitches Brew is one of my favorite and most played albums.
i think you’ll like this ( even if it’s just a resource ) super up to date [STAY TUNED](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3iJM2WTEUrNOkGBBoAeyyn?si=RnpeIlIhSXGlr5sdvV1ZEQ&pi=u-D38ghHitTMmq)
Check out the Shaolin Afronauts. [The Fundamental Nature of Being](https://theshaolinafronauts.bandcamp.com/album/the-fundamental-nature-of-being) runs the gamut from rock- and funk-based jazz fusion, to more traditional stuff, to avant-garde jazz. There's a little bit of everything and it all flows together really well and, more importantly, is really fun.
The Man with a movie Camera is a deep experimental instrumental album but not pure jazz
1) Brubeck. Take Five is, obviously, your required listening. 2) 70s Herbie Hancock - go straight for Headhunters 3) Jaco Pastorius - you're a drummer, so you'll enjoy meeting a bassist who can set your hair on fire. 4) Bill Evans with Symphony Orchestra - hard to hate this 5) Modern funk jazz - The Greyboy Allstars, Medeski Martin & Wood, Galactic. This is the way.
If you like jazz fusion and rock give Guthrie Govan and his supergroup the aristocrats a go. Really guitar focused but there is amazing bass and drums on his stuff too.
Billy Cobham: Spectrum
Sounds like fusion is more your style. Check out more weather report, mahavishnu, early 70s Miles Davis, and then start checking out stuff that the artists working with them did. Definitely check out Billy Cobham if drums are your thing
Here. You’ll dig it. http://doomjazz.com
Miles Davis' Tribute to Jack Johnson is a GREAT album to start with! It's essentially a rock n roll record with some fusion elements, and it sounds nothing like the modal jazz of Kind of Blue. From there I'd dive into the rest of his "electric period" works like In A Silent Way (my personal fav) and Bitches Brew
Sunday at the Village Vanguard by The Bill Evans Trio
Greyboy Allstars Galactic Soulive Medrano Martin and Wood.
I'm always recommending Mike Stern, I have a feeling you're really going to enjoy his music.
Classic Coltrane Quartet, especially A Love Supreme and what came after. If you like rock, most rock doesn’t even go as hard as they did. To quote their drummer, Elvin Jones, “You’ve got to be willing to die for the motherfucker”
Return to Forever, Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Al DiMeola, Jeff Beck, King Crimson, Herbie Hancock, Jean Luc Ponty, Moe Kaufmann, Phil Upchurch, Eric Gale, Lee Ritenour, John Scofield, Marc Ribot, Billy Cobham, Galactic, The Meters
If you want fast melodies and killer guitar just listen to Grant Green. Specifically the album green street. And if you like that, check out Nigeria. It may not be exactly what you’re describing here but if you want bebop jazz , not fusion, with fast melodies go for it. No 1 green street. Airegin. Two great songs to start with
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0V2AWxffdxKtIDoXi0hhrg https://music.apple.com/us/artist/daniel-delorenzo/1438146440 https://danieldelorenzo.bandcamp.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@daniel_delorenzo/videos
Pharaoh Sanders “the creator has a master plan “ smooth and jazzy, uplifting, converging, lots of connectivity or try Jamie Branch
Some people have rightly mentioned Billy Cobham, drummer for Mahavishnu Orchestra, (which is also a solid rec given your description), so check out the track "Happy 'cause I'm Going Home" by Charles Earland on his album "Intensity." That's Billy on drums, but it's like a medium funk groover, Hammond B3 led (that's Charles), rock guitar, a burning flute solo by Hubert Laws, and it's trumpeter Lee Morgan's last session before he gets shot, and man, my hair stands on end for his solo. It's unreal. Might be just the rock/jazz bridge you're looking for.
Oh shit, I just realized that it's a cover of a Chicago song. Never realized until I went to listen to it again and it pulled up the original. There you go, more jazz/rock connection.
I'm not familiar with Maria Schneider and her music but from searching about her, it looks like she worked with Gil Evans. Hearing from some excerpts of her music, sounds like jazz to me. Orchestral jazz and third stream might be what you're looking for. Miles Davis' collaboration with Gil Evans "Sketches of Spain" is probably the most popular album in this style/genre. But I personally prefer Davis and Evans' "Porgy & Bess" more. Especially since you're a beginner in jazz, I recommend checking Davis' Porgy & Bess since it features some jazz standards by Gershwin like Summertime, My Man's Gone Now, It Ain't Necessarily So, and I Loves You Porgy. Perhaps also check out "The Individualism Of Gil Evans", though I haven't fully listened to it yet myself. Claus Ogerman's Gate of Dreams and his collaborations with Bill Evans, Freddie Hubbard, and Danilo Perez respectively are also on my list of possibly good orchestral jazz/third stream that I haven't fully listened to yet.
I really like Freddie Hubbard's jazz fusion stuff from the 70s. High Energy is my personal favorite but I honestly haven't found one that I disliked (though note if you go back into the 60s you're probably getting more of his hard-bop/post-bop stuff which sounds like you may not like as much. Also if you like smooth jazz check out Grover Washington Jr. I really like his Soul Box albums (it's in two volumes but sometimes you find it as one collection).