Jazz music experienced a resurgence of popularity in the 1970s and 1980s, and many musicians made significant contributions to the genre during this time. Some of the most important jazz musicians of the 70s – 90s include:
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Miles Davis – Miles Davis was a legendary trumpeter who was at the forefront of several major developments in jazz. He was known for his innovative playing style and his willingness to embrace new musical directions. Some of his most notable albums from this period include “Bitches Brew,” “On the Corner,” and “A Tribute to Jack Johnson.”
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John McLaughlin – John McLaughlin is a guitarist who was a pioneer of the jazz-fusion movement. He was a member of the influential group “The Mahavishnu Orchestra,” and his virtuosic playing and innovative compositions helped to define the sound of jazz-fusion in the 1970s.
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Wayne Shorter – Wayne Shorter is a saxophonist and composer who was a member of Miles Davis’ legendary second great quintet. He went on to become one of the most important composers of the 1970s and 1980s, and his work with the fusion group “Weather Report” helped to define the sound of jazz-fusion during this period.
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Herbie Hancock – Herbie Hancock is a pianist and composer who was a member of Miles Davis’ second great quintet. He went on to become one of the most important figures in jazz-fusion, and his innovative use of electronic instruments and his willingness to embrace new musical directions helped to shape the sound of jazz in the 1970s and 1980s.
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Chick Corea – Chick Corea is a pianist and composer who was a pioneer of the jazz-fusion movement. He was a member of the influential group “Return to Forever,” and his virtuosic playing and innovative compositions helped to define the sound of jazz-fusion in the 1970s.
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Freddie Hubbard – Freddie Hubbard was a trumpeter who was a prominent figure in the hard bop and post-bop movements. He was known for his powerful and energetic playing style, and his contributions to the genre during the 1970s and 1980s helped to keep the tradition of hard bop alive.
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Stan Getz – Stan Getz was a saxophonist who was a prominent figure in the cool jazz movement. He was known for his lyrical playing style and his contributions to the genre during the 1970s and 1980s helped to keep the tradition of cool jazz alive.
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Wynton Marsalis – Wynton Marsalis is a trumpeter who was a major figure in the revival of traditional jazz in the 1980s. He was known for his virtuosic playing style and his commitment to preserving the traditions of jazz, and his contributions to the genre during the 1970s and 1980s helped to reignite interest in traditional jazz.
These musicians represent only a small sample of the many important figures in jazz during the 1970s and 1980s. Their contributions to the genre helped to keep jazz alive and relevant during this period, and their innovative playing styles and compositions continue to influence jazz musicians today. (Source: “The Oxford Companion to Jazz”)
