[Western Music] Must-Know: A Roundup of Popular Overseas Fusion Bands

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and have been contributing to music magazines and web media for over 15 years. Although Western music is my main field, I always strive to stay curious with the motto, “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in a band, where I was a bassist responsible for songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve performed on include bass, guitar, and piano. I resumed piano lessons after turning 40 and have been continuing ever since!

Fusion is often described as a subgenre of jazz, and—as the name “fusion” suggests—it’s characterized by a crossover sound that incorporates musical elements from a variety of genres.

Overseas it’s also called “jazz fusion,” but in Japan the fusion boom gave rise to popular bands that are still active today and exceptional players, making it a pivotal genre that has influenced many areas, including the recently popular city pop.

In this article, we’ve put together an overview of must-know international fusion bands to start with.

By learning not only about the bands but also the renowned players who were in them, your knowledge of fusion will deepen significantly!

[Western Music] Must-Know! A Roundup of Popular Overseas Fusion Bands (11–20)

BirdfingersThe Eleventh House

Birdfingers

BirdfingersThe Eleventh House

Larry Coryell was one of the earliest musicians to blend jazz with rock and classical music—it’s no exaggeration to call him a pioneer of the fusion scene.

The band he formed and led was The Eleventh House.

After their formation in 1973, they turned out a string of classic albums and secured a firm place in music history.

They were also renowned for their outstanding live performances.

I highly recommend checking out their live recordings.

Raise the rankinglower

In conclusion

As mentioned at the beginning, even in the 2020s the methodologies and approaches of the jazz fusion genre have taken root across a variety of styles, and there are many bands that have updated the sound for the modern day.

You can get thrilled by technical performances or lose yourself in sleek, urban sophistication—either way works! I’d be delighted if you’ve found a fusion band that suits your tastes.