The Jeff Lorber Fusion -

The Jeff Lorber Fusion was an American jazz-rock band led by keyboardist Jeff Lorber. The group released five albums between 1977 and 1981; their 1980 release Wizard Island topped the Billboard jazz chart. Lorber revived the Fusion name in 2010 for a second run of albums that included the 2017 Grammy-winning Prototype.

Members: Jeff Lorber (keyboards), Lester McFarland (bass), Terry Layne (reeds, flute), Ron Young (percussion), Dennis Springer (saxophone), Freddie Hubbard (flugelhorn), Joe Farrell (flute), Bruce Smith (percussion), Doug Lewis (guitar), Jay Koder (guitar), Kenny Gorelick (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, flute), Dennis Bradford (drums), Danny Wilson (bass), Paulinho da Costa (percussion)

Background

The Jeff Lorber Fusion formed in 1976 in Portland, Oregon, when keyboardist Jeff Lorber assembled bassist Lester McFarland, drummer Dennis Bradford, and percussionist Ron Young. Portland-born Bradford began drums at age four in a musical family.

Lorber was born Jeffrey H. Lorber on Nov. 4, 1952, in Philadelphia and grew up in nearby Cheltenham, Pennsylvania. He began classical piano lessons at age four and played Farfisa in R&B and rock groups at Cheltenham High School. On New Year’s Eve 1970, Lorber met Buddy Rich alto saxophonist Richie Cole at a Pocono Mountains hotel, and Cole directed him toward Berklee College of Music instead of California Institute of the Arts. Lorber studied piano with Margaret Chaloff at Berklee and played with guitarist John Scofield and keyboardist Greg Hawkes. He also studied chemistry at Boston University.

Lorber left Boston with his wife Syd in 1973 and settled in Portland, where he played with trumpeter Thara Memory and other local musicians. He also led a racially integrated Top 40 band until some suburban club operators rejected the lineup. Lorber then concentrated on original jazz, with pianist and teacher Tom Grant as a local model. The Jeff Lorber Fusion built an audience in Portland and secured dates across other Pacific Northwest cities.

The early group used several saxophonists; alto saxophonist and flutist Terry Layne entered the recording lineup after a 1975 stint with Stan Kenton. Lorber prepared lead sheets in exchange for studio time at Ripcord Recording in Vancouver, Washington. Engineer Dave Dixon gave Lorber access to Ripcord, where studio owner Gene Breeden accommodated the sessions. Harry Callow, Lorber’s supervisor at a record store, joined Lorber as co-producer. Lorber sent a session tape to Inner City Records president Irv Kratka, who signed the group for the November 1977 self-titled debut.

Discography:

The Jeff Lorber Fusion (1977)
Soft Space (1978)
Water Sign (1979)
Wizard Island (1980)
Galaxian (1981 • Jeff Lorber Fusion)
It’s a Fact (1982)
In the Heat of the Night (1984)
Step by Step (1985)
Private Passion (1986 • Jeff Lorber featuring Karyn White and Michael Jeffries)