Return to Forever was an American jazz-rock supergroup that evolved from a namesake 1972 solo album by bandleader Chick Corea. Members: Chick Corea (keyboards), Stanley Clarke (bass), Joe Farrell (reeds, 1971-73, 1977), Airto Moreira (percussion, 1971-73), Flora Purim (vocals, 1971-73), Bill Connors (guitar, 1973-74), Steve Gadd (drums, 1973), Mingo Lewis (percussion, 1973), Lenny White (drums, […]
Willis Jackson (April 25, 1932 – Oct. 25, 1987) was an American tenor saxophonist who released more than 40 albums as a bandleader on Prestige, Muse, and other labels between 1959 and 1983. Starting under the auspices of trumpeter/bandleader Cootie Williams at the outset of the 1950s, Jackson lent his talent to other artists throughout […]
Henry Franklin (born Oct. 1, 1940) is an American jazz double-bassist from Los Angeles who released two albums on Black Jazz Records between 1972 and 1974, followed by a third on Catalyst in 1977. As a backing player, he apprenticed with Hugh Masekela and the Three Sounds during the late 1960s and played on albums […]
Melvin “Wah Wah” Watson — aka Melvin Ragin (1950 — Oct. 24, 2018) — was an American guitarist noted for his session work on numerous jazz-funk and soul albums from the 1970s and 1980s. Deriving his stagename from the wah-wah pedal, he released the album Elementary on Columbia in 1976. Early Career A Detroit local, […]
Ramon Morris is an American jazz-funk saxophonist who was briefly active during the early 1970s. Debuting in a latter-day incarnation of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Morris quickly spread his talents over 1972–73 releases by Reuben Wilson, Curtis Fuller, Shirley Scott, and Woody Shaw — credits that afforded him a one-off deal with Groove […]
Travis Biggs is an American composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist whose services were widely employed on the jazz-funk and soul circuits throughout the 1970s and early 1980s. Under his own name, he released two albums during the late 1970s. Spreading his talents over sides by John Kasandra and Bohannon, among others, Biggs adopted the little-used nickname […]
Hubert Eaves is an American keyboardist, composer, and producer who played on numerous jazz-funk and soul recordings during the 1970s and ’80s. As a bandleader, he released the coveted Esoteric Funk LP in 1977. A home-taught musician, the St. Paul prodigy emerged as sideman to Gary Bartz as part of the saxist’s NTU Troop on […]
Webster Lewis (Sept. 1, 1943 — Nov. 20, 2002) was an American keyboardist and producer who released five albums between 1972 and 1981. Sporting a master’s degree from the New England Conservatory of Music, the Baltimore-raised pianist/organist hit the scene in 1972 with spots on the Bill Evans/George Russell Living Time LP and on a […]
New York Mary was an instrumental jazz-rock trio that was active in the Northeast U.S. during the mid-1970s, releasing two albums on Arista’s Freedom imprint in 1976. Members: Bruce Johnstone (baritone/alto/soprano sax), Rick Petrone (bass), Joe Corsello (drums, percussion) Saxophonist Bruce Johnstone and bassist Rick Petrone played in Maynard Ferguson’s backing band during the earlier […]
Sons and Daughters of Lite were an American jazz-funk ensemble from Oakland, Calif, that released the album Let the Sun Shine In on self-press Sunlite Record Publishing Company in 1978. Members: Basuki Bala (leader, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute, percussion, vocals), Marty Payne (trumpet, flugelhorn, backing vocals), Paul Fenner III (tenor saxophone), Michael […]
Sam Sanders (Nov. 19, 1937 — Oct. 18, 2000) was an American jazz-funk saxophonist from Birmingham, Ala. Discography: The Gift of Love (1983 • Sam Sanders & Visions) Mirror, Mirror (2013, recorded 1975)
Roy Porter (July 30, 1923 — Jan. 24, 1998) is an American jazz-funk drummer from Walsenburg, Colo. Discography: Jessica (1974 • Roy Porter Sound Machine) Inner Feelings (1975) In a Groove (1984) Generation (remixes, 1994 • Roy Porter Sound Machine ’94)
Roy Haynes (born March 13, 1925) is an American jazz drummer and bandleader from Roxbury, Mass. Discography: Busman’s Holiday (1954) We Three (1959 • Roy Haynes, Phineas Newborn, Paul Chambers) Just Us (1961 • The Roy Haynes Trio) Out of the Afternoon (1962 • Roy Haynes Quartet) Cracklin’ (1963 • Roy Haynes With Booker Ervin) […]
Roger Glenn is an American jazz-funk flautist and vibraphone player from NYC who released the album Reachin’ on Fantasy in 1976. Discography: Reachin’ (1976)
Rodney Franklin (born Sept. 16, 1958) is an American jazz-funk pianist and composer from Berkeley. Discography: In the Center (1979) You’ll Never Know (1980) Rodney Franklin (1980) Endless Flight (1981) Learning to Love (1982) Marathon (1984) Skydance (1985) It Takes Two (1986) Diamond Inside of You (1988)
Robin Kenyatta (March 6, 1942 — Oct. 26, 2004) is an American jazz-funk saxophonist from Moncks Corner, SC. Discography: Until (1968) Girl From Martinique (1971) Robin Kenyatta’s Free State Band (1972) Gypsy Man (1973) Terra Nova (1973) Stompin’ at the Savoy (1974) Nomusa (1975) Encourage the People (1976) Beggars and Stealers (live, 1977) Take the […]
Robert Watson — aka Robert M. Watson Jr. (born Aug. 23, 1953) — is an American post-bop/jazz-funk alto saxophonist from Lawrence, Kan. Discography: Estimated Time of Arrival (1978) All Because of You (1979) Beatitudes (1983 • Bobby Watson & Curtis Lundy) Gumbo (1983 • The Horizon Quintet) Jewel (1983 • Robert Watson Sextet) Live in […]
Richard Tee — aka Richard Ten Ryk (Nov. 24, 1943 — July 21, 1993) — was an American jazz-funk pianist from Brooklyn. Discography: Strokin’ (1979) Natural Ingredients (1980) The Bottom Line (1985) Inside You (1989) Real Time (1992)
Richard Evans (Dec. 30, 1932 — Oct. 5, 2014) was an American jazz-funk bassist, composer, arranger, and producer from Birmingham, Ala. Discography: Dealing With Hard Times (1972) Richard Evans (1979)
Al Foster — aka Aloysius Tyrone Foster (born Jan. 18, 1943) — is an American jazz-funk drummer from Richmond, Va. Discography: Mixed Roots (1978) Mr. Foster (1979)
William S. Fischer — aka William Samuel Fischer (born March 5, 1935) — is an American jazz-funk pianist and arranger from Shelby, Miss. Discography: Circles (1970) Akelarre (1972) Omen (1972)
Vic Caesar — aka Victor Louis Cesario (born May 27, 1931) — is an American composer and producer who scored the jazz-funk soundtrack to the 1977 action-drama Bare Knuckles. Discography: Nixon’s the One (1968) Bare Knuckles (OST, 1977)
John Tropea (born Jan. 7, 1946) is an American jazz-funk guitarist from NYC. Discography: Tropea (1976 • Tropea) Short Trip to Space (1977 • Tropea) To Touch You Again (1979) NY Cats Direct (1986)
Tommy Stewart (born Nov. 19, 1939) is an American composer, arranger, and producer from Gadsden, Ala., who released an eponymous jazz-funk album on Abraxas in 1976. Discography: Tommy Stewart (1976)
Tom Scott (born May 19, 1948) is an American jazz-funk saxophonist from Los Angeles. Discography: Rural Still Life (1968) The Honeysuckle Breeze (1968 • Tom Scott & The California Dreamers) Light My Fire (1968 • Bob Thiele and His New Happy Times Orchestra / Gabor Szabo With The California Dreamers and Tom Scott & Bill […]
Tom Harrell (born June 16, 1946) is an American jazz-funk trumpeter from Urbana, Ill. Discography: Aurora (1976) Look to the Sky (1979 • John McNeil & Tom Harrell) Open Air (1987) Stories (1988) Sail Away (1989) Form (1990) Moon Alley (1990 • Tom Harrell Quintet) Passages (1992) Upswing (1993) Labyrinth (1996) The Art of Rhythm […]
Tom Grant (born Feb. 22, 1946) is an American jazz-funk keyboardist from Portland, Ore. Discography: Mystified (1978) You Hardly Know Me (1981) Tom Grant (1983) Heart of the City (1984) Just the Right Moment (1985) Take Me To Your Dream (1986) Night Charade (1987) Mango Tango (1988) Edge of the World (1990)
Eddie Russ is an American jazz-funk keyboardist from Pittsburgh who released the album Fresh Out on Jazz Masters in 1974, followed by two further titles on Monument between 1976 and 1978. While under contract with that second label, he adopted the pseudonym Gaff Dunsun to participate in the singular album by Latin/jazz-funk sextet Mixed Bag, […]
Art Webb is an American flautist primarily active as a jazz-funk sessionist during the 1970s and 1980s. Under his own name he released two albums in 1977. Appearing first on back-to-back albums by Norman Connors — Dance of Magic (1972) and Dark of Light (1973) — Webb’s talents were soon heard on the recordings of […]
Milton Wright is an American soul-funk musician, songwriter, and producer who released two albums on Atlantic-subsidiary Alston between 1975 and 1977. He is the brother of soul singer Betty Wright. Discography: Friends and Buddies (1975) “I Belong to You” / “The Gallop” (1976 • Milton Wright & The Terra Shirma Strings) “Ooh, Ooh, Ooh I […]
Julian Priester — aka Pepo Mtoto (June 29, 1935) — is an American trombonist from Chicago, Ill. Discography: Keep Swingin’ (1960) Spiritsville (1960) Love, Love (1974 • Julian Priester Pepo Mtoto) Polarization (1977 • Julian Priester and Marine Intrusion) Koputai (1990 • Ralph Towner, Charlie Haden, Jerry Granelli, Julian Priester, Robben Ford, Denny Goodhew & […]
Lightmen Plus One were an American jazz-funk band that released two albums on Judnell circa 1970/71, followed by two further albums on bandleader Bubba Thomas’ Lightin’ Records between 1972 and 1975. Members: – Discography: Free as You Wanna Be (1970 • The Lightmen) Fancy Pants (1971) Energy Control Center (1972) Country Fried Chicken (1975 • […]
Yusef Lateef — aka William Emanuel Huddleston (Oct. 9, 1920 — Dec. 23, 2013) — was an American woodwindist and composer from Chattanooga, Tenn. Discography: Jazz Mood (1957) Jazz for the Thinker (1957 • Yusef Lateef and His Men) Prayer to the East (1958) Before Dawn: The Music of Yusef Lateef (1958) Jazz and the […]
Willie Hutch — aka Willie McKinley Hutchinson (Dec. 6, 1944 — Sept. 19, 2005) — was an American soul-funk musician, composer, and producer from Los Angeles. Discography: Soul Portrait (1969) Season for Love (1970) The Mack (OST, 1973) Fully Exposed (1973) Foxy Brown (OST, 1974) The Mark of the Beast (1974) Ode to My Lady […]
Weldon Irvine (Oct. 27, 1943 — April 9, 2002) was an American pianist and composer from Hampton, Va., who released two albums on self-press Nodlew Music in 1972 and 1973, followed by three albums on RCA Victor between 1974 and 1976. Discography: Liberated Brother (1972) Time Capsule (1973) Cosmic Vortex (Justice Divine) (1974) In Harmony […]
Weather Report was a multinational jazz-funk/fusion ensemble that released 14 studio albums on Columbia between 1971 and 1986. Throughout its existence, the band was co-led by American saxophonist Wayne Shorter and Austrian keyboardist Joe Zawinul. Numerous rhythm players did stints with the band during its 15-year history, most notably drummers Alphonse Mouzon and Narada Michael […]
Wayne Shorter (Aug. 25, 1933 — March 2, 2003) was an American saxophonist from Newark, N.J., who co-led the jazz-funk supergroup Weather Report with Austrian keyboardist Joe Zawinul between 1971 and 1985. Discography: Introducing Wayne Shorter (1960) Wayning Moments (1962) Night Dreamer (1964) Juju (1965) Speak No Evil (1966) The All Seeing Eye (1966) Adam’s […]
The Mysterious Flying Orchestra were an American jazz-funk big band that recorded a self-titled album for RCA in 1977. Members: Bob Thiele (conductor, composition, percussion), Phil Bodner (tenor saxophone, English horn), Babe Clarke (baritone saxophone), Eddie Daniels (flute, tenor saxophone), Steve Marcus (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone), Charlie Mariano (soprano saxophone), Bob Mintzer (tenor saxophone), Donald […]
Tip of the Iceberg were an American jazz-funk big band that released a self-titled album on Project 3 Records in 1975. Members: Derek Smith (electric piano, clavinet), Albie Berk (drums), Russel George (bass), Tony Mottola (electric guitar, guitar), Don Albano (electric guitar, vocals), Sue Evans (percussion), Phil Kraus (percussion), George Young (tenor saxophone, flute, fife, […]
The Harold Wheeler Consort were an American jazz-funk band that released the album Black Cream on RCA in 1975. Members: – Discography: Black Cream (1975)
The Eleventh House was an American jazz-funk-rock supergroup led by guitarist Larry Coryell. They issued a self-titled album on Vanguard in 1974, followed by the 1975–1976 Arista albums Level One and Aspects. Noted participants included drummer Alphonse Mouzon, keyboardist Mike Mandel, and trumpeters Randy Brecker and Terumasa Hino. Members: Larry Coryell (guitar), Randy Brecker (trumpet, […]
The Crusaders were an American jazz-funk band from Los Angeles that was known throughout its first decade as The Jazz Crusaders, which issued a string of post-bop albums on Pacific Jazz during the 1960s. In 1971, they shortened their name to The Crusaders and issued a string of jazz-funk/R&B albums on Blue Thumb. They scored […]
The Brecker Brothers were an American jazz-funk duo from N.Y.C. comprised of saxophonist Michael Brecker and trumpeter Randy Brecker, who played on numerous recordings together and separately throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Members: Randy Brecker (trumpet), Michael Brecker (saxophone) Discography: The Brecker Bros. (1975) Back to Back (1976) Don’t Stop the Music (1977) Blue Montreux […]
The 360 Degree Music Experience were an American avant-jazz ensemble that released six albums on assorted labels between 1975 and 1984, including several that give featured status to drummer/bandleader Beaver Harris. Members: Beaver Harris (drums), Grachan Moncur III (trombone), Dave Burrell (piano), Ken McIntyre (saxophone), Cameron Brown (piano), Ron Burton (bass) Discography: From Rag Time […]
Tarika Blue were a New York-based, multi-national jazz-funk/soul collective that was active during the late 1970s. Premiering in a strictly instrumental framework, the band incorporated vocals on their second of two albums. Members: Phil Clendennin (keyboards, piano), Ryo Kawasaki (electric guitar), Barry Coleman (bass), Kevin Atkins (drums), Marvin Blackman (tenor saxophone), Bradie Speller (percussion), Justo […]
The Ted Coleman Band were an American jazz-funk band that released the album Taking Care of Business in 1980. Members: – Discography: Taking Care of Business (1980)
Starship Orchestra were an American jazz-funk band that released the album Celestial Sky on Columbia in 1980. Members: Norman Connors, Munyungo Jackson, Ralph Jones, Billy McCoy Discography: Celestial Sky (1980)
Stanton Davis (born Nov. 10, 1945) is an American trumpeter from New Orleans who led the jazz-funk band Ghetto Mysticism, which issued the album Brighter Days on Outrageous Records Incorporated in 1977. Discography: Brighter Days (1977 • Stanton Davis’ Ghetto Mysticism) Manhattan Melody (1988) Isis Voyage: Unreleased Music & Alternative Mixes From the Brighter Days […]
Stanley Clarke (born June 30, 1951) is an American jazz-funk bassist from Philadelphia who played in the supergroup Return to Forever between 1972 and 1977. He was born Stanley Marvin Clarke on June 30, 1951 in Philadelphia. His mother, a church choir singer, encouraged him to take up music. He started on accordion, then played […]
Southern Energy Ensemble were an American jazz-funk band from Richmond, Va., that released the album Southern Energy in 1976. Members: Nat Lee (keyboards), Judy Spears (vocals), Muzi Branch (bass), Ronnie Toler (drums) Discography: Southern Energy (1976)
Sonny Sharrock (Aug. 27, 1940 — May 25, 1994) was an American avant-jazz guitarist from Ossining, N.Y. Discography: Black Woman (1969) Monkey-Pockie-Boo (1970) Green Line (1971 • Steve Marcus, Sonny Sharrock, Miroslav Vitous & Daniel Humair) Paradise (1975 • Sonny & Linda Sharrock) Dance With Me Montana (1986 • Sonny Sharrock Trio) Guitar (1986) Seize […]
Sonny Fortune (May 19, 1939 — Oct. 25 2018) was an American jazz saxophonist who rose to prominence via 1972/73 backing stints with Roy Ayers, Leon Spencer, and McCoy Tyner. In 1974, he played in the Miles Davis band, appearing on Get Up With It and three live albums. As a bandleader, Fortune debuted with […]
Roy Ayers (born Sept. 10, 1940) is an American vibraphonist, composer, and producer from Los Angeles. Ayers was born on September 10, 1940, in Los Angeles to a trombonist father and pianist mother. The family lived in the musically thriving South Park area, where young Roy received his first pair of mallets at age five […]
