Who are some good Fusion artists?

Question

I've listened to Return to Forever for about a week now, and I'm pleased with the music. Does anyone know any similar artists who I might like? Links would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Well the guys in return to forever are for the most part in Chick Corea's Electrik Band. Might I suggest listening to his other rendition of Spain? (It's on youtube, it's live, and it's totally different from the original). The sax player, Eric Marienthal, as well as the rest of the band, has plenty of solo work that might interest you. Eric also plays in two of my favorite big bands (they're pretty modern ones...), Gordon Goodwin's "Big Phat Band" and GRP Records' "All-Star Big Band".



Also, you can try some newer Miles Davis or Wayne Shorter records. They may be a bit more avante garde (the new stuff, I mean) but it'll be good no worries.



The Five Peace Band (no misspellings) is a great fusion band which also features chick corea (as you can probably tell, I love that guy). Kenny Garrett, the sax player from this band, has some really cool solo stuff as well. He's actually really popular.



Freddie Hubbard and Lee Ritenour have some good fusion. Red Clay is a famous one by Freddie Hubbard and Rio Funk is a famous one by Lee.



There's also this wonderful jazz/indie band called "The Reign of Kindo". One of my favorites of all time and definitely worth listening to if you are into fusion.

Answer 2

The other poster had good advice. Definitely listen to some of the solo albums by Al DiMeola (suggest Land of the Midnight Sun, Casino, and the one that has Race With The Devil on Spanish Highway) and Stanley Clarke (the one with Concerto For Jazz Rock Orchestra is great, as is School Days.) And pretty much any Chick Corea album is a keeper.



Listen to early Larry Carlton (his first couple albums especially)



Find the very first Yellowjackets album, the one with Robben Ford. It's just called Yellowjackets. Some seriously great guitar playing on this disc.



Check out Scott Henderson, Bill Bruford, Jeff Berlin...



There's way more, but that should get you started. Enjoy

Answer 3

John McLaughlin, Weather Report, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Stanley Clarke, Billy Cobham.

Answer 4

Ok, I'll throw in some of my favorites in addition to those that have already been mentioned -



Jeff Beck - try his amazing recent CD "Live at Ronnie Scott's" with the great young bass player Tal Wilkenfeld:

http://www.amazon.com/Jeff-Beck-Performing-Week-Ronnie/dp/B001NP8PQM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1279028867&sr=1-3



Brand X - at one point Phil Collins was their drummer, but had what I consider one of the best fusion bass players Percy Jones:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=Brand+X



King Crimson's more recent stuff - hard fusion:

http://www.dgmlive.com/



Terje Rypdal - a Norwegian guitarist, a different slant on Fusion:

http://www.amazon.com/Terje-Rypdal/e/B000AQ01GW



Nils Petter Molvaer - Fusion slipping into Acid Jazz - amazing!

www.nilspettermolvaer.info



and of course there's a lot of music that Frank Zappa did that could be considered Fusion. Some of his CDs to check out: "Make a Jazz Noise Here" and the various "Shut up and play Your Guitar" works with the current god of fusion drummers Vinnie Colaiuta



Enjoy!

Answer 5

Soulmate.

Can't get back to you re "Jazz Cellist " page as the answer question box is not there screwed up by Yahoo, so am replying on this page, what a mess they are in to-day "tech this tech that am fed up with it all, here is my reply to your query.





Oscar Pettiford was the first major jazz figure to take up the cello, playing cello on at least 10 LPs over a 10-year period. His first recording with the cello, "Great Times," was made in 1950 with Duke Ellington and a small combo.



The next important jazz cellist/bass player was Ray Brown. He found the cello "such a nice, easy and clear means of expression." Brown recorded "Jazz Cello" and "Ray Brown and his Jazz All Star Big Band." Other bass players who played and recorded jazz on cello include Harry Babasin, Sam Jones, Eldee Young, Percy Heath and Keter Betts.



In the mid 50's Fred Katz was perhaps the first trained cellist to play jazz. He introduced the use of the bow in jazz cello playing. This added a much wider range of timbres and effects and a new sense of swing to the palette of the jazz cellist. Katz played melodies, harmonies, solos and wrote arrangements for drummer Chico Hamilton’s chamber jazz groups.



Jazz bassist Ron Carter's first instrument was actually the cello. In high school he switched to bass and went on to study at Eastman. After getting involved with jazz, he brought the cello out again (tuned in 5ths). In the 60’s he played cello, with the bow, on albums by Eric Dolphy, Mal Waldron, and George Benson.