10.3 Latin jazz fusion and crossover artists

Latin jazz fusion emerged in the 1970s, blending Latin American rhythms with jazz harmonies and rock elements. This vibrant genre grew from increased cultural exchange and the rising popularity of Latin music, building on the foundations of Afro-Cuban jazz and bossa nova.

Characterized by complex polyrhythms, jazz chord progressions, and a mix of traditional and electric instruments, Latin jazz fusion expanded jazz's rhythmic vocabulary. Artists like Santana and Chick Corea pioneered the genre, promoting cross-cultural understanding and establishing Latin music as a global phenomenon.

Latin Jazz Fusion: Origins and Impact

Concept of Latin jazz fusion

Top images from around the web for Concept of Latin jazz fusion

• 

  Afro-Cuban jazz - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  2019 Showcases - CAPACOA View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Big band Bixiga 70 apresenta o vinil ‘100%13’ na festa Bossa Negra View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Afro-Cuban jazz - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  2019 Showcases - CAPACOA View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Concept of Latin jazz fusion

• 

  Afro-Cuban jazz - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  2019 Showcases - CAPACOA View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Big band Bixiga 70 apresenta o vinil ‘100%13’ na festa Bossa Negra View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Afro-Cuban jazz - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  2019 Showcases - CAPACOA View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Latin jazz fusion blends Latin American rhythms with jazz harmonies, incorporating rock and funk elements
• Emerged in the 1970s alongside jazz fusion, influenced by civil rights movement and cultural pride
• Development fueled by increased cultural exchange between Latin America and US, growing popularity of Latin music in mainstream culture
• Built upon foundations of Afro-Cuban jazz (1940s-1950s) and bossa nova movement (1960s)

Characteristics of Latin jazz fusion

• Rhythmic elements feature complex polyrhythms from Latin American traditions, incorporate clave patterns
• Harmonic structures utilize jazz chord progressions, improvisation, modal approaches (Miles Davis, John Coltrane)
• Instrumentation combines traditional Latin percussion (congas, timbales, bongos) with electric instruments (guitar, keyboards)
• Melodic concepts blend jazz phrasing with Latin patterns, employ pentatonic and blues scales
• Production techniques leverage studio effects, overdubbing, synthesizers, electronic sounds

Key Latin jazz fusion artists

• Santana pioneered fusion of rock, Latin rhythms, jazz improvisation, breakthrough at Woodstock 1969 (Abraxas, Caravanserai)
• Chick Corea formed Return to Forever, blended jazz with Latin/Brazilian influences, explored electronic instruments (Light as a Feather, Romantic Warrior)
• Paquito D'Rivera bridged traditional Cuban music with modern jazz, co-founded Irakere
• Airto Moreira: Brazilian percussionist collaborated with Miles Davis
• Flora Purim: Brazilian vocalist known for work with Return to Forever
• Eddie Palmieri: Pianist fused salsa with jazz harmonies

Impact of Latin jazz fusion

• Expanded rhythmic vocabulary for jazz musicians, increased use of Latin percussion in jazz ensembles
• Latin-influenced rock became more prevalent, increased visibility of Latin American artists in US market
• Promoted cross-cultural understanding, established Latin music as global phenomenon
• Influenced development of smooth jazz, world fusion genres
• Latin jazz fusion techniques incorporated into jazz education curricula
• Increased study of Latin rhythms among non-Latin musicians