The 1980s marked a new era for jazz music, with a range of innovative and influential artists emerging in the genre. Here are some of the best jazz bands from the 1980s, along with a brief overview of their contributions to the genre.
-
The Brecker Brothers: The Brecker Brothers were a legendary jazz fusion band that was active in the 1980s. They were known for their innovative and genre-defying music that combined elements of jazz, funk, R&B, and rock. They released several critically acclaimed albums during their career, including “Heavy Metal Be-Bop” and “Straphangin'”.
-
Return to Forever: Return to Forever was a pioneering jazz fusion band that was active from the 1970s to the 1980s. They were known for their intricate and virtuosic playing, as well as their incorporation of elements of rock and funk into their music. Their album “Romantic Warrior” is considered a classic of the genre.
-
Weather Report: Weather Report was a jazz fusion band that was active from the 1970s to the 1980s. They were known for their intricate and experimental music, as well as their incorporation of elements of world music into their sound. Their album “Heavy Weather” is considered one of the defining records of the jazz fusion genre.
-
The Yellowjackets: The Yellowjackets were a jazz fusion band that was active in the 1980s. They were known for their innovative and genre-defying music, as well as their tight ensemble playing and intricate arrangements. They released several critically acclaimed albums during their career, including “Yellowjackets” and “Mirage a Trois”.
-
Spyro Gyra: Spyro Gyra was a jazz fusion band that was active in the 1980s. They were known for their catchy and upbeat music, as well as their incorporation of elements of pop and R&B into their sound. They released several popular albums during their career, including “Morning Dance” and “Catching the Sun”.
These are just a few of the many outstanding jazz bands that emerged in the 1980s. Each of these bands made significant contributions to the genre, and their music continues to inspire and influence jazz musicians and fans around the world. As a source, the book “Jazz-Rock: A History” by Stuart Nicholson can be consulted for a comprehensive overview of the genre and its evolution during the 1980s.
