Jazz rock
Jazz rock is the combination of jazz and rock, as you might expect. It emerged from rock musicians bringing in ideas from jazz - certain chords and chord progressions, different instrumentation and, most notably, improvisation - and mostly incorporating that into rock structures. There are roughly two types of jazz rock:
- Jazz Rock, the form of Art Rock
- Jazz Rock, the form of Progressive Rock
Contents
What is Jazz Rock
Broadly speaking, jazz rock is pop rock music which incorporates elements of jazz:
- Chords associated with jazz are used
- Chord progressions are often derived from jazz, and other jazz ideas are used to change how songs are written (for example the modal approach to composition comes to rock via jazz)
- A broader range of instruments is often used, with jazz rock bands incorporating horns and sometimes jazz-associated instruments such as the vibraphone
- On the prog rock side of the spectrum, there is an emphasis on improvisation which didn't exist in rock music before that.
Jazz Rock is Not Jazz Fusion
We have something to get out of the way: jazz rock is not jazz fusion.
| Jazz Fusion | Art Rock Jazz Rock | Prog Rock Jazz Rock | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composition | Pieces roughly conform to bop composition, using head sheets, or sometimes diverge quite greatly; there are rarely lyrics because there are rarely vocalists | Art rock jazz rock songs deviate little from pop rock composition but rely on jazz chords; lyrics are not usually any different from regular art rock lyrics | Prog rock jazz rock songs are often focused mostly on the soloing but just resemble longer rock songs; if there are lyrics, they are usually no different from art rock lyrics |
| Arrangement and Instrumentation | Performers are usually playing traditional jazz instruments but with amplification and sometimes effects; pianos are often replaced by more contemporary keyboards; bass is often replaced by bass guitar; guitar is often incorporated | Traditional jazz instruments (horns, normally) are often incorporated but not always | One or more traditional jazz instruments may get a solo, but often these bands incorporate jazz soloing without jazz instruments |
| Production | Fusion sometimes differs greatly from traditional jazz, making use of rock overdubs and editing techniques, though not all fusion bands do this | Roughly similar to art rock | Different pieces are sometimes stitched into songs a la prog rock, but usually the listener does not notice. |
Who are the major Jazz Rock Artists?
The History of Jazz Rock
The first ever jazz rock performance will likely forever be unknown. Before jazz rock records existed, rock bands were improvising and taking inspiration from jazz just like before the first fusion records were released jazz musicians were taking inspiration from rock and roll. In fact, before there was a clear separation between rock and roll and jazz, the two genres were intimately related. Rock and roll has Western Swing as one of its components, and Western Swing is a fusion of country and swing, a popularization of big band jazz.
Jazz rock probably began to emerge in the R&B scenes in the UK, in London and Liverpool. Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames are sometimes credited with being the first jazz rock group, in part because of future jazz guitarist John McLaughlin's presence in 1962 and 1963. However, it's the Graham Bond Organisation, which McLaughlin joined after, which is usually considered to be the first jazz rock band, releasing their debut album in March 1965.
Where Did Jazz Rock Originate?
Weirdly, jazz rock probably first emerged in the UK, though jazz rock began to emerge very soon after in the US. Jazz rock was an easier possibility in the UK because the British didn't have such hard and fast rules about American genres; British R&B bands would often have horn sections and those bands would often play older jazz, such as big band tunes, as part of their repertoire. British jazz musicians often needed R&B gigs to help pay the bills and often moonlighted in the R&B bands.
In the US, musicians rarely crossed over, so it was American rock bands interested in improvising on stage which helped created jazz rock, both in New York City and the Bay Area.
