Once a genre that captivated avant-garde ears, jazz fusion fell away sometime in the late '80s. However, it has recently witnessed an unexpected resurgence in popularity, particularly amongst younger audiences. Is this resurgence a fleeting trend or the beginning of a musical revolution? Let's explore.
Before we get our feet wet, let's get a basic understanding. Jazz fusion—often simply referred to as fusion—is a style of music that emerged in the 1960s by blending jazz rhythm and improvisation with rock music's amplified instruments and beats. Jazz fusion pushed boundaries and pursued inherent artistic adventurousness, it mixed the sophistication of jazz with the energy and groove of rock.
A few key factors could be conspiring to champion jazz fusion’s comeback. The accessibility of music making technology, a renewed emphasis on live instrumentation in popular music, and a cultural shift that appreciates eclectic musical influences could all possibly be contributing to the genre’s revival.
From thundercat's funky bass lines to Kamasi Washington's elaborate and extravagant compositions, contemporary artists are keeping jazz fusion alive and breathing. Apart from this, bands like Chicago's Marquis Hill Blacktet and LA's West Coast Get Down are also contributing to pushing the jazz fusion envelope.
The ubiquity of streaming platforms and the opportunity for anyone to create and share music with a worldwide audience has undoubtedly played a significant role in the resurgence of Jazz Fusion. Platforms like Spotify and Youtube have democratised music, allowing for a more differentiated and diversified music scene. Tracks, albums and artists which may have been overlooked in the past now have a global stage, thanks to algorithms that recommend music based on listeners' tastes, exposing them to new and diverse sounds, and pushing out genre boundaries.
Given the increased interest and incorporation of jazz elements in popular music, we predict jazz fusion's resurgence is more than just a fleeting trend. With a new generation of musicians embracing the genre, experimenting with its rhythms, and adding their own genres to the mix, jazz fusion could very well be the next big thing. The boundaries being pushed by jazz fusion artists mimic the sonic exploration that made jazz fusion exciting, to begin with.
This new wave of jazz fusion doesn't mean we'll suddenly be hearing Miles Davis-inspired tracks all over pop radio. But it does mean an exciting shift towards more eclectic influences in popular music. If anything, the resurgence of jazz fusion reminds us that no music style ever truly vanishes—it only evolves. And as music enthusiasts, that’s an incredibly exciting prospect.