How to play Jazz Fusion?

[Siddh]

I've been listening to a lot of Miles Davis Jazz Fusion this past week (More like a lot more THAN USUAL) and I noticed how the drummers just kind of sit there and jam. They seem to play simple rock rhythms on the hi-hat, snare and bass. And that's it.

Is this how Jass Fusion drums are played, just rock jams? Or am I missing something?

[aydee]

Its having the sensibilities of both genres...like the word says...fusion.By jamming you probably mean improvising?

[dcrigger]

Siddh - When you say listening to a lot of Miles jazz fusion, do you mean listening to some of it a lot? Or listening to a lot of it? Miles' jazz fusion period spanned more than 20 years... lots of music there... the understated beginnings of "In A Silent Way"; the double drumming more aggressive and free music of "B*tches Brew"; the funkier and so often sampled "On The Corner"; all the way to the almost "R'n'B" of DooBop.... and so many great drummers... Jack DeJohnette, Tony Williams, Al Foster, Lenny White, Billy Cobham, off the top of my head.

And while there is a simplicity to Miles' fusion thing, there is also an underlying depth that I find missing from most modern "jam band" outings. Though it is very easy to hear the influence Miles had on the whole "jam band" movement.

But as for jazz fusion, keep in mind the style doesn't completely begin and certain doesn't end with Miles Davis. Weather Report, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Return To Forever, Billy Cobham, Alan Holdsworth, John McLaughlin, Stanley Clarke, Jeff Beck, Don Ellis, Al DiMeola, Bill Bruford, Chick Corea, Larry Coryell, Herbie Hancock, Brecker Brothers and on and on... all jazz fusion artists at one or another. And all taking the style to different places than Miles ever visited.

So if you listen to a good sampling of the above, you'll probably find that to play jazz fusion a drummer should have a pretty good handle on..

playing traditional through modern post-bop jazz

playing rock, soul, funk and pop styles

playing in odd meters; being able to handle many latin and world music grooves; be able to function in both highly structured/composed settings and very "free" ones; be able to accompany improvising soloists, be able to function as a soloist - again in both structured and free settings; playing piano trio soft and rock band loud... I'm sure I'm forgetting things.

So no, there is actually quite a bit to it.

But again, I can see how some Miles records could lead you to the question you asked, but I think with some more listening you'll come to see what I'm talking about. I think there is a lot of exciting music there for you to explore.

Have fun,

David

[The Colonel]

A few Miles items to pick up -

Tribute to Jack Johnson and the live DVD @ the Isle of Wight. Some really nice stuff and DeJohnette's playing is great throughout. Especially on the DVD you can see him doing some awesome stuff.

And then rock out with some Tony Williams Lifetime.

[Siddh]

Thanks guys. And by listening to a lot of Miles Davis, I mean a lot of it. I own only a handful of his studio recordings, but have hundreds of live shows.

[gitei]

I just have to say I love the way Narada plays on Mahavishnu Orchestra! The drumming is so big it sounds larger than arena rock!

[rolander]

i second that, i love narada on visions of the emerald beyond and also jeff beck's 'wired' album. great fusion drumming. cobham is amazing but i prefer narada for mahavishnu. recently saw jeff beck doing a mahavishnu cover with vinnie at the crossroads guitar festival. probably on youtube. pretty cool. i'm no expert on how to play fusion, but one of the most heavy duty fusion albums ive heard, and one that i can't get enough of for its incredible drumming is john scofield's 'pick hits live'.

[rolander]

........with dennis chambers on drums.....

[bballdrummer34]

........with dennis chambers on drums.....

I couldn't help but laugh when I saw this because it's what I thought immediately after I saw the title to the thread. With that, the person who began fusion drumming is Tony Williams. Check him out.

[rolander]

the playing on that album is just insane. some of the videos of seen of dc with mike stern are just incedible too.

[rolander]

and it's weird that you mention tony williams cos when someone says fusion to me the cd cover of 'believe it' and that allan holdsworth guitar sound on the second track always pops into my head!