MHST 517E Selected Topics in Jazz History: Jazz Fusion - Jazz or Not?
Initiated during the 1960s, Jazz-Fusion (or Jazz-Rock) came to dominate the jazz scene especially during the 1970s. In fact, the popularity achieved by a number of fusion bands was not that different from what the swing bands (led by Benny Goodman, Woody Herman, etc.) achieved during the 1930s and the 40s. However, the amplified nature of this style along with heavy backbeats and studio production techniques brought along controversy which is still being discussed and remains unresolved. While this course will first discuss controversies related to Jazz-Fusion, it will then analyze different types of ‘fusion’ approaches in jazz history (Western classical music, Rock/Funk, World music), discuss the output of a variety of Jazz-Fusion performers and consider issues of appropriation, originality vs. historicism, musical borrowing, translations and redefinitions as well as commercialism within the larger scope of jazz history.