List of jazz fusion musicians

The following are notable jazz fusion performers or bands.

For performers of smooth jazz, a more radio-friendly, pop-infused variant of fusion, see List of smooth jazz performers.


Name Instrument Year Style Jazz fusion connections Jazz fusion recordings
A
John Abercrombie Guitar 1944–2017 Progressive jazz, jazz fusion, post bop

Billy Cobham, Jack DeJohnette, Brecker Brothers, Gateway, Kenny Kirkland

As leader: Timeless (1975), with Gateway: Gateway (1975)

Alex Acuña Percussion 1944 Jazz, jazz fusion, Afro-Cuban jazz

Weather Report, John Patitucci, Joe Zawinul, Vladislav Sendecki, Larry Carlton, Alphonso Johnson, Brent Fischer, Koinonia, Abraham Laboriel

With Weather Report: Black Market (1976), Heavy Weather (1977)

Don Alias Percussion 1939–2006 Jazz, jazz fusion

Miles Davis, David Sanborn, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Michael Brecker, Jaco Pastorius, Pat Metheny, Weather Report, Jack DeJohnette

With Miles Davis: Bitches Brew (1970), On the Corner (1972), with Jeremy Steig: Energy (1971), Fusion (1972), with The Tony Williams Lifetime: Ego (1971), with Carlos Santana and John McLaughlin: Love Devotion Surrender (1973), with Dave Liebman: Sweet Hands (1975), with Weather Report: Black Market (1976), with Jaco Pastorius: Jaco Pastorius (1976), Word of Mouth (1981), Invitation (1983), The Birthday Concert (1995), with Miroslav Vitous: Miroslav (1978), with Mike Stern: Time in Place (1988), Jigsaw (1989), Odds or Evens (1991), Give and Take (1997), with Marcus Miller: The Sun Don't Lie, (1993), with John McLaughlin: The Promise (1995), with Pat Metheny Group: Imaginary Day (1997)

Brian Auger Keyboards 1939 Jazz fusion

Brian Auger and the Trinity, CAB

With Brian Auger and the Trinity: Open (1967), Streetnoise (1969), Befour (1970), with Brian Auger's Oblivion Express: A Better Land (1971), Second Wind (1972), Closer to It! (1973), Straight Ahead (1974), with CAB: CAB (2000), CAB 2 (2001), CAB 4 (2003), Theatre de Marionnettes (2009)

Kinan Azmeh Clarinet 1976 Jazz fusion

Hewar

B
Victor Bailey Bass 1960 Jazz, jazz fusion, pop

Joe Zawinul, Weather Report, Larry Coryell, Billy Cobham, Vladislav Sendecki

As leader: Low Blow (1999), That's Right! (2001), with Weather Report: Weather Report (1982 album) (1982), Procession (1983), Domino Theory (1984), Sportin' Life (1985), This Is This! (1986), with Steps Ahead: Live in Tokyo 1986 (1986), Magnetic (1986), Vibe (NYC, 1995), with Larry Coryell and Lenny White: Electric (2005), with Joe Zawinul: World Tour (1998), Faces & Places (2002), Brown Street (2007)

Ginger Baker Drums 1939 Jazz, jazz fusion, blues-rock, psychedelic rock, hard rock, world music

Ginger Baker's Air Force, Ginger Baker's African Force

As leader: Ginger Baker's Air Force (1970), Ginger Baker's Air Force II (1970), Horses & Trees (1986)

Louis Banks Keyboards 1941 Jazz, film score, theatre, world music

John McLaughlin

Jennifer Batten Guitar 1957 Instrumental rock, hard rock, electronica, progressive rock, jazz fusion

Jeff Beck, Jennifer Batten's Tribal Rage

Jim Beard Keyboards 1960 Jazz fusion

John Scofield, Wayne Shorter, John McLaughlin, Mike Stern, Dennis Chambers, Bob Berg

Jeff Beck Guitar 1944 Blues-rock, jazz fusion, instrumental rock, hard rock, electronica, progressive rock

The Jeff Beck Group, Upp

As leader: Blow by Blow (1975), Wired (1976)

Jay Beckenstein Saxophone 1949 Jazz fusion Spiro Gyra
Jeff Berlin Bass 1953 Jazz, jazz fusion, progressive rock

Bill Bruford, Patrick Moraz

Warren Bernhardt Keyboards 1938 Jazz, jazz fusion

Mike Mainieri, Steps Ahead, Kazumi Watanabe

With Jeremy Steig: Jeremy & The Satyrs (1968), This Is Jeremy Steig (1969), with Mike Mainieri: Journey Thru an Electric Tube (1968), White Elephant (1972), Wanderlust (1981), Free Smiles (1978), Live at the Seventh Avenue South (1996), with Kazumi Watanabe: To Chi Ka (1980), Dogatana (1981), with Steps Ahead: Modern Times (1984), Magnetic (1986)

Richard Bona Bass 1967 Jazz fusion, world fusion

Larry Coryell, Brecker Brothers, Kenny Kirkland, Mike Stern, Steve Gadd, Pat Metheny Group, Zawinul Syndicate

Michael Brecker Saxophone 1949–2007 Jazz, jazz fusion, funk, R&B, rock

Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Kenny Kirkland, Jaco Pastorius, Vladislav Sendecki, Pat Metheny, Steps Ahead

Randy Brecker Trumpet 1945 Jazz, fusion, funk, R&B, rock

Brecker Brothers, Billy Cobham, Kenny Kirkland, Frank Zappa, Vladislav Sendecki, Jaco Pastorius

Jack Bruce Bass 1943–2014 Blues-rock, psychedelic rock, jazz fusion, hard rock, acid rock

John McLaughlin, Dick Heckstall-Smith, Jon Hiseman, Larry Coryell, Mitch Mitchell, Tony Williams Lifetime, Tony Williams, Kenny Kirkland, Larry Young

Bill Bruford Drums 1949 Progressive rock, instrumental rock, jazz fusion

Allan Holdsworth, Dave Stewart, Jeff Berlin

As leader: Feels Good to Me (1978), One of a Kind (1979), The Bruford Tapes (1979), Gradually Going Tornado (1980)

Bunny Brunel Bass 1950 Jazz fusion

Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, CAB

Hiram Bullock Guitar 1955–2008 Jazz, jazz fusion

Jaco Pastorius, Brecker Brothers, Marcus Miller, Steps Ahead

Tony Bunn Bass 1957 Jazz, jazz fusion, funk

Michal Urbaniak, Harold Ivory Williams, Dennis Chambers

Gary Burton Vibraphone 1943 Jazz, jazz fusion

Larry Coryell, Pat Metheny, John Scofield, Peter Erskine, Mitchel Forman, Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, Dave Holland

As leader: Duster (1967)

Donald Byrd Trumpet 1932–2000 Jazz, jazz fusion, funk

Harvey Mason, Alphonse Mouzon

As leader: Electric Byrd (1970), Ethiopian Knights (1971)

C
Larry Carlton Guitar 1948 Jazz, smooth jazz, jazz fusion, pop, rock

Steve Lukather, Robben Ford, Kenny Kirkland

Alain Caron Bass 1955 Jazz, jazz fusion

Uzeb, Didier Lockwood

Dennis Chambers Drums 1959 Jazz, jazz fusion, funk music, Latin rock

John Scofield, Brecker Brothers, John McLaughlin, Mike Stern, Cristiano Parato

Bill Chase Trumpet 1934–1974 Jazz rock

Chase

As leader: Chase (1971), Ennea (1972), Pure Music (1974)

Jonathan Chua Drums 1990 Jazz, jazz fusion, progressive rock, funk, bebop, post bop, hard bop

Dick Lee, Jeremy Monteiro

With The Sam Willows: Take Heart (2016)

Stanley Clarke Bass 1951 Jazz, jazz fusion, funk, rock, pop, R&B

Return to Forever, Chick Corea, Jeff Beck, SMV, George Duke, Kenny Kirkland

As leader: Stanley Clarke (1974), School Days, with Return to Forever: Light as a Feather (1973), Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy (1973), Where Have I Known You Before (1974), Romantic Warrior (1976), Musicmagic (1977)

Billy Cobham Drums 1944 Jazz, jazz fusion, post-bop, funk, progressive rock, rock and roll, soul

Miles Davis, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Jack Bruce, Kenny Kirkland, John McLaughlin, Vladislav Sendecki

As leader: Spectrum (1973), with Mahavishnu Orchestra: The Inner Mounting Flame (1971), Birds of Fire (1972), Between Nothingness and Eternity (1973), The Lost Trident Sessions (1973)

Vinnie Colaiuta Drums 1956 Jazz, jazz fusion, rock, funk, thrash metal, heavy metal

Frank Zappa, Chick Corea, Jeff Beck, Herbie Hancock, John McLaughlin, Christian McBride, Five Peace Band

Bill Connors Guitar 1949 Jazz, jazz fusion

Return to Forever, Stanley Clarke

With Return to Forever: Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy (1973), with Stanley Clarke: Stanley Clarke (1974), with Corea, Clarke & White: Forever (2011)

Chick Corea Keyboards 1941–2021 Jazz, jazz fusion, post bop, Latin jazz, classical music, avant-garde jazz

Return to Forever, Five Peace Band, Chaka Khan

As leader: Return to Forever (1972), The Leprechaun (1976), My Spanish Heart (1976), with Return to Forever: Light as a Feather (1973), Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy (1973), Where Have I Known You Before (1974), Romantic Warrior (1976), Musicmagic (1977)

Larry Coryell Guitar 1943–2017 Jazz, jazz fusion, jazz rock, post-bop, free jazz

The Eleventh House, John McLaughlin

As leader: Barefoot Boy (1971), Introducing Eleventh House with Larry Coryell (1974), with Gary Burton: Duster (1967)

Tom Coster Keyboards 1941 Jazz fusion, crossover jazz

Billy Cobham, Larry Coryell, Frank Gambale, Vital Information

Kirk Covington Drums 1956/1957- Jazz fusion

Tribal Tech, Gary Willis, Scott Henderson, John Humphrey, Allan Holdsworth, Joe Zawinul

D
Miles Davis Trumpet 1926–1991 Jazz, hard bop, bebop, cool jazz, modal, fusion, third stream, jazz-funk jazz rap

Wayne Shorter, John McLaughlin, Herbie Hancock, Billy Cobham, Chick Corea, Dave Holland, Jack DeJohnette, Joe Zawinul, Tony Williams

As leader: Filles de Kilimanjaro (1969), In a Silent Way (1969), Bitches Brew (1970), Miles Davis at Fillmore: Live at the Fillmore East (1970), A Tribute to Jack Johnson (1971), Live-Evil (1971), On the Corner (1972), Black Beauty: Live at the Fillmore West (1973), In Concert (1973), Big Fun (1974), Get Up With It (1974), Agharta (1975), Pangaea (1975), Dark Magus (1977), We Want Miles (1982), Star People (1983), Live at the Fillmore East, March 7, 1970: It's About That Time (2001), The Cellar Door Sessions 1970 (2005), Bitches Brew Live (2011)

Torsten de Winkel Guitar 1965 World fusion, jazz fusion

Michael Brecker, Billy Cobham, Alphonse Mouzon, Steve Smith, Pat Metheny

Elton Dean Saxophone 1946–2006 Free jazz, jazz fusion, post-bop

Soft Machine

With Soft Machine: Third (1970), Fourth (1971), Fifth (1972), as leader: Elton Dean (1971)

Jack DeJohnette Drums 1942 Jazz, jazz fusion, new age

Miles Davis, Keith Jarrett, Kenny Kirkland, John Scofield, John Abercrombie, Dave Holland, Gateway, Compost, Trio Beyond

With Freddie Hubbard: Straight Life (1970), First Light (1971), with Miles Davis: Live-Evil (1971), On the Corner (1972), Black Beauty: Live at the Fillmore West (1973), Big Fun (1974), with Joe Zawinul: Zawinul (1971), with Joe Farrell: Moon Germs (1972), with John Abercrombie and Jan Hammer: Timeless (1974), with Gateway: Gateway (1975), with Terje Rypdal and Miroslav Vitous: Terje Rypdal / Miroslav Vitous / Jack DeJohnette (1978), To Be Continued (1981), with Michael Brecker: Michael Brecker (1987), Nearness of You: The Ballad Book (2001)

Orhan Demir Guitar 1954 Jazz fusion, post-bop
Joe DeRenzo Drums 1958 Jazz fusion, world music

Yellowjackets

Al Di Meola Guitar 1954 Jazz, jazz fusion, Latin jazz, world fusion

Return to Forever, Stanley Clarke, Jan Hammer, Jean-Luc Ponty, John McLaughlin

As leader: Land of the Midnight Sun (1976), Elegant Gypsy (1977), Casino (1978), Splendido Hotel (1980)

Virgil Donati Drums 1958 Progressive metal, jazz fusion

Planet X, Derek Sherinian, Tribal Tech, Scott Henderson, Tony MacAlpine

George Duke Keyboards 1946–2013 Jazz fusion, R&B, funk, alternative rock music, rock and roll, jazz pop

Frank Zappa, Jean-Luc Ponty, Stanley Clarke, Billy Cobham, Kenny Kirkland, Steps Ahead

E
Jimmy Earl Bass 1957 Jazz, jazz fusion

The Crusaders, Stanley Clarke, Chick Corea, Pino Daniele, Robben Ford, Cleto and the Cletones

Mark Egan Bass 1951 Jazz, jazz fusion

Elements, Pat Metheny Group

Peter Erskine Drums 1954 Jazz, jazz fusion

Weather Report, Steely Dan, Jaco Pastorius, Brent Fischer, Bob Mintzer, Yellowjackets, Steps Ahead, Maynard Ferguson, Stan Kenton, Eliane Elias

Bill Evans Piano 1958 Jazz, jazz fusion

Miles Davis, John McLaughlin

F
Joe Farrell Saxophone 1937–1986 Jazz, jazz funk, fusion, crossover jazz, hard bop

John McLaughlin, Chick Corea, Jack DeJohnette, Dave Holland, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Return to Forever, Fuse One, Flora Purim

As leader: Moon Germs (1972), Penny Arcade (1973), Upon This Rock (1974), Canned Funk (1975), with Chick Corea: Tones for Joan's Bones (1968), The Leprechaun (1976), The Mad Hatter (1978), with Herbie Hancock: Mwandishi (1971), with Return to Forever: Light as a Feather (1973), Return to Forever (1972), Musicmagic (1977), Live (1977), with Billy Cobham: Spectrum (1973), with Santana: Welcome (1973), with The Jeff Lorber Fusion: Soft Space (1978), Water Sign (1979), with Flora Purim: Carry On (1979), with Fuse One: Fuse One (1980), Silk (1981), Ice (1984), with Bunny Brunel: Ivanhoe (1983)

Carl Filipiak Guitar 1950 Jazz, jazz fusion, rock

Scott Ambush, Bob Berg, Will Calhoun, Dennis Chambers, Lafayette Gilchrist, Mike Pope, Victor Wooten

Brent Fischer Bass 1964 Jazz, jazz fusion, funk, Latin jazz, world music

Alex Acuna, Peter Erskine, Steve Khan

Béla Fleck Banjo 1958 Jazz, jazz fusion, bluegrass, folk, classical, world music

Trio!, Chick Corea, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones

Robben Ford Guitar 1951 Blues, jazz/fusion, rock

Yellowjackets, Chick Corea, Kenny Kirkland

Mitchel Forman Keyboards 1956 Jazz fusion, jazz

John McLaughlin, Wayne Shorter, John Scofield, Mike Stern, Dave Samuels, Gary Burton, Pat Metheny, Simon Phillips, Bill Evans

Russ Freeman Guitar 1960 Smooth jazz, jazz fusion, jazz-pop

The Rippingtons

Bill Frisell Guitar 1951 Jazz, jazz fusion, alternative country, experimental rock, world music
G
Frank Gambale Guitar 1958 Jazz fusion, smooth jazz, jazz, instrumental rock

Jean-Luc Ponty, Chick Corea Elektric Band, Vital Information, Return to Forever

Kenny Garrett Saxophone 1960 Jazz, jazz fusion

Miles Davis, Marcus Miller, Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, Five Peace Band

Matt Garrison Bass 1970 Jazz, jazz fusion

Pat Metheny, Joe Zawinul, John McLaughlin, Dennis Chambers

Jerry Goodman Violin 1949 Jazz, jazz fusion

Mahavishnu Orchestra, John McLaughlin, Jan Hammer

John Goodsall Guitar 1953 Progressive rock, jazz fusion

Brand X, Bill Bruford

Danny Gottlieb Drums 1953 Jazz, jazz fusion, rock

Mahavishnu Orchestra, Elements, Pat Metheny

Steve Grossman Saxophone 1951 Jazz fusion, hard bop, cool jazz

Miles Davis, Jan Hammer, Masabumi Kikuchi, Teruo Nakamura

As leader: Some Shapes to Come (1974)

Don Grolnick Keyboards 1948–1996 Jazz, jazz fusion

Mike Mainieri, Mike Stern, Brecker Brothers, Dreams, Steps Ahead

Trilok Gurtu Percussion 1951 Jazz, jazz fusion, world music

John McLaughlin, Pat Metheny, Joe Zawinul

H
Omar Hakim Drums 1959 Jazz, jazz fusion, pop

Miles Davis, Weather Report, Kazumi Watanabe, Marcus Miller, Victor Bailey

Stuart "Stu" Hamm Bass 1960 Fusion, country, classical

Frank Gambale, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Bx3

Jan Hammer Keyboards 1948 Jazz fusion, synthpop, pop rock

Mahavishnu Orchestra, Jeff Beck, Al Di Meola, John Abercrombie, Jack DeJohnette, Stanley Clarke, Billy Cobham

Herbie Hancock Keyboards 1940 Jazz, bebop, post bop, jazz fusion, hard bop, jazz-funk, funk, R&B, electro funk, classical

Miles Davis, Jaco Pastorius, Bennie Maupin, Paul Jackson, Mike Clark, Chick Corea, Tony Williams, Wayne Shorter, Marcus Miller, Jack DeJohnette, Dave Holland, Pat Metheny

As leader: Mwandishi (1971), Crossings (1972), Sextant (1973), Head Hunters (1973), Thrust (1974), Man-Child (1975), Flood (1975), Secrets (1976), V.S.O.P. (1977), Mr. Hands (1980), with Miles Davis: Filles de Kilimanjaro (1969), In a Silent Way (1969), Bitches Brew (1970), A Tribute to Jack Johnson (1971), Live-Evil (1971), On the Corner (1972), Big Fun (1974), Get Up With It (1974), with Chick Corea: Tones for Joan's Bones (1968), The Mad Hatter (1978), with Miroslav Vitouš: Infinite Search (1970), with Freddie Hubbard: Red Clay (1970), Straight Life (1971), First Light (1971), with Joe Zawinul: Zawinul (1971), with Wayne Shorter: Native Dancer (1975), with Jaco Pastorius: Jaco Pastorius (1976), Word of Mouth (1981), Invitation (1983), with Lenny White: Big City (1977), with The Tony Williams Lifetime: The Joy of Flying (1978)

Jonas Hellborg Bass 1958 Jazz, jazz fusion, jazz metal

John McLaughlin, Shawn Lane

Joe Henderson Saxophone 1937–2001 Hard bop, post-bop, jazz fusion, world fusion

Ron Carter, Leon "Ndugu" Chancler, Chick Corea, Freddie Hubbard, Flora Purim, Vladislav Sendecki, Miroslav Vitouš

As leader: Multiple (1973), The Elements (1974), Canyon Lady (1975), with Miroslav Vitouš: Infinite Search (1970), with Herbie Hancock: Mwandishi (1970), with Freddie Hubbard: Straight Life (1970), with Flora Purim: Butterfly Dreams (1973), Encounter (1977), with Rick Laird: Soft Focus (1976)

Scott Henderson Guitar 1954 Jazz fusion, jazz-funk, blues

Jean-Luc Ponty, Jeff Berlin, Joe Zawinul, Chick Corea Elektric Band, Tribal Tech, Gary Willis, Vital Tech Tones, Victor Wooten, Steve Smith

Allan Holdsworth Guitar 1946–2017 Jazz fusion, jazz, free jazz, instrumental rock, progressive rock

Tony Williams Lifetime, Jean-Luc Ponty, Bill Bruford, Chad Wackerman, Jeff Berlin, Jack Bruce, Frank Gambale

As leader: Road Games (1983), Metal Fatigue (1985), Atavachron (1986), Sand (1987), Secrets (1989), Hard Hat Area (1993)

Dave Holland Bass 1946 Jazz, jazz fusion

Miles Davis, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, Joe Henderson, Herbie Hancock, Jack DeJohnette

Bob Holz Drums 1958 Jazz, jazz fusion

Larry Coryell

As leader: " Silverthorne" (2019), " Visions: Coast To Coast Connection" (2018), " Visions and Friends" (2017), " A Vision Forward" (2016)

Adam Holzman Keyboards 1958 Jazz, jazz fusion

Miles Davis

Hugh Hopper Bass 1945–2009 Jazz fusion, progressive rock, experimental

Soft Machine

With Soft Machine: Third (1970), Fourth (1971), Fifth (1972), Six (1973), as leader: Hopper Tunity Box (1977)

Greg Howe Guitar 1963 Progressive rock, instrumental rock, hard rock, jazz fusion

Dennis Chambers, Stuart Hamm, Victor Wooten, Billy Sheehan

Freddie Hubbard Trumpet 1938–2008 Hard-bop, soul jazz, post-bop, jazz fusion, jazz-funk

Ron Carter, Billy Cobham, Jack DeJohnette, Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson, Keith Jarrett, Airto Moreira, Lenny White

As leader: Red Clay (1970), Straight Life (1971), First Light (1971), Sky Dive (1972)

Brian Hughes Guitar 1955 Smooth jazz, jazz fusion, blues
Steve Hunt Keyboards 1958 Jazz, jazz fusion

Stanley Clarke, Allan Holdsworth

Gary Husband Drums 1960 Jazz, jazz fusion, progressive rock

Allan Holdsworth, John McLaughlin, Mike Stern, Jack Bruce, Billy Cobham

J
Anthony Jackson Bass 1952 Jazz, jazz fusion, R&B, funk

Chick Corea, Kenny Kirkland, Al Di Meola, Mike Stern, Dave Weckl, Michal Urbaniak, Mitchel Forman, Frank Gambale

Paul Jackson Bass 1947–2021 Jazz, jazz funk, jazz fusion, funk

Herbie Hancock, The Headhunters

Keith Jarrett Keyboards 1945 Jazz, Western classical music, jazz fusion, free improvisation

Miles Davis, Jack DeJohnette, Chick Corea

As leader: Expectations (1972), with Miles Davis: The Cellar Door Sessions 1970 (2005)

Alphonso Johnson Bass 1951 Jazz, jazz fusion, funk

Weather Report, Billy Cobham, Kenny Kirkland

Jimmy Johnson Bass 1956 Jazz, jazz fusion, rock, folk rock

Allan Holdsworth, Planet X

Percy Jones Bass 1947 Jazz fusion, avant-garde jazz

Brand X, Soft Machine

With Brand X: Unorthodox Behaviour (1976), Moroccan Roll (1977)

K
Ryo Kawasaki Guitar 1947 Jazz fusion

Kenny Kirkland, Teruo Nakamura, Gil Evans, Elvin Jones, Chico Hamilton, Steve Gadd, Michael Brecker, Steve Grossman, Dave Liebman, Anthony Jackson, Harvey Mason, George Benson

Steve Khan Guitar 1947 Jazz, jazz fusion

Brecker Brothers, Joe Zawinul, Larry Coryell, Dave Weckl, Dennis Chambers, Anthony Jackson, Kenny Kirkland, John Patitucci, Jack DeJohnette, Brent Fischer

Benjamin Kheng Guitar 1990 Jazz, jazz fusion, progressive rock, funk, bebop, post bop, hard bop

Dick Lee, Jeremy Monteiro

With The Sam Willows: Take Heart (2016)

Masabumi Kikuchi Keyboards 1939–2015 Avant-garde jazz, hard bop, jazz fusion

Al Foster, Steve Grossman, Dave Liebman, Reggie Lucas, Airto Moreira, Sam Morrison, James Mtume

As leader: Poo-Sun (1970), All About Dancing Mist (1971), Susto (1981), One-Way Traveller (1982), with Kochi: Wishes (1976)

Himiko Kikuchi Keyboards 1953 Jazz, Jazz Fusion Bingo Miki & the Inner Galaxy Orchestra, Takuro Yoshida, Tsunehiko Kamijō, Mayumi Itsuwa As Leader:

Don't Be Stupid (Continental, 1980), Flashing (Continental, 1981), All Right (Continental, 1982), Woman (Continental, 1983), Reverse It (Continental, 1984), 森羅万象 (Continental, 1985), Flying Beagle (CBS/Sony, 1987), Sevilla Breeze (CBS/Sony, 1988), Beam (RCA, 1993)

Scott Kinsey Keyboards Jazz fusion

Scott Henderson, Gary Willis, Kirk Covington, Tribal Tech

Kenny Kirkland Keyboards 1955–1998 Jazz, electro fusion, jazz fusion, hard bop, neo bop, post bop, funk, R&B, rock

Michal Urbaniak, Miroslav Vitous, George Duke, Herbie Hancock, Tony Williams, Brecker Brothers, Jaco Pastorius, Teruo Nakamura, Terumasa Hino, Ryo Kawasaki, Gil Evans, Stanley Clarke, Ursula Dudziak, Carla Bley, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Dizzy Gillespie, Ron Carter, Hubert Laws, Pat LaBarbera, Marcus Miller, Tito Puente, Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis

Wayne Krantz Guitar 1956 Jazz fusion

Michael Brecker, Billy Cobham, Dennis Chambers, Anthony Jackson

L
Abraham Laboriel Bass 1947 Jazz fusion, jazz-funk, Latin jazz

Koinonia, Alex Acuña, Justo Almario

Tim Landers Bass 1956 Jazz fusion

Steve Smith, Vital Information, Mike Stern, Al Di Meola, Michael Brecker, Billy Cobham, Frank Gambale

Shawn Lane Guitar 1963–2003 Instrumental rock, jazz fusion, world fusion

Jonas Hellborg

Dave Liebman Saxophone 1946 Jazz, jazz fusion

John Abercrombie, Miles Davis, Masabumi Kikuchi, John Scofield

As leader: Lookout Farm (1974)

Didier Lockwood Violin 1956 Jazz fusion, post-bop, jazz

Surya, Tony Williams, Magma, Vladislav Sendecki, ZAO, Michal Urbaniak

Kiko Loureiro Guitar 1972 Heavy metal, power metal, thrash metal, jazz fusion

Virgil Donati, Yaniel Matos, Cuca Teixeira, Neural Code

Jeff Lorber Keyboards 1952 Smooth jazz, jazz pop, crossover jazz, jazz fusion

The Jeff Lorber Fusion, Chick Corea, Joe Farrell, Randy Brecker, Dave Weckl

Steve Lukather Guitar 1957 Hard rock, pop rock, progressive rock, jazz fusion

El Grupo, Jan Hammer, Larry Carlton

M
Tony MacAlpine Guitar 1960 Instrumental rock, neo-classical metal, jazz fusion, heavy metal, progressive metal, hard rock

CAB, Planet X

Alex Machacek Guitar 1972 Jazz, jazz fusion, experimental

Terry Bozzio, BPM, Planet X

Mike Mainieri Vibraphone 1938 Jazz fusion, post-bop

Steps Ahead, Michael Brecker, Steve Gadd, Kenny Kirkland, Mike Stern, Steve Smith

As leader: Journey Thru an Electric Tube (1968), White Elephant (1972), Free Smiles (1978), Love Play (1977), Wanderlust (1981), An American Diary (1995), Live at the Seventh Avenue South (1996), An American Diary: The Dreamings (1997), Northern Lights (2006), with Billy Cobham: Simplicity of Expression: Depth of Thought (1978), with Steve Khan: The Blue Man (1978), with Dave Liebman: What It Is (1980), with Kazumi Watanabe: To Chi Ka (1980), Dogatana (1981), One for All (1999), with Steps Ahead: Step by Step (1980), Smokin' in the Pit (1981), Paradox (1982), Steps Ahead (1983), Modern Times (1984), Magnetic (1986), N.Y.C. (1989), Yin-Yang (1992), Live in Tokyo 1986 (1994), Vibe (1995), with Marcus Miller: Suddenly (1983), with Andy Summers: World Gone Strange (1991)

Harvey Mason Drums 1947 Jazz-funk, hard bop, crossover jazz, jazz fusion

Herbie Hancock, The Headhunters, Brecker Brothers, Kenny Kirkland

Bennie Maupin Saxophone 1940 Post bop, jazz fusion

Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, The Headhunters, Jack DeJohnette, Mike Clark

Lyle Mays Keyboards 1953 Jazz, jazz fusion

Pat Metheny

Marilyn Mazur Percussion 1955 Jazz, jazz fusion

Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter

Christian McBride Bass 1972 Jazz, jazz fusion

Five Peace Band, Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, Pat Metheny, Vinnie Colaiuta

John McLaughlin Guitar 1942 Jazz fusion, jazz, world fusion, post-bop

Miles Davis, Tony Williams Lifetime, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Al Di Meola, Trio of Doom, Shakti

As leader: My Goal's Beyond (1971), Love Devotion Surrender (1973), with Mahavishnu Orchestra: The Inner Mounting Flame (1971), Birds of Fire (1972), Between Nothingness and Eternity (1973), The Lost Trident Sessions (1973), Apocalypse (1974), Visions of the Emerald Beyond (1975)

Pat Metheny Guitar 1954 Jazz, jazz fusion, world fusion, post-bop, jazz-rock, jazz-pop, crossover jazz

Pat Metheny Group, Gary Burton, Chick Corea, Dave Holland, Kenny Kirkland, Jaco Pastorius, John Scofield, Jack DeJohnette, Herbie Hancock, Michael Brecker

As leader: Bright Size Life (1976), Watercolors (1977), Pat Metheny Group (1978), American Garage (1979)

Barry Miles Keyboards 1947 Jazz, jazz fusion

Al Di Meola, John Abercrombie

Marcus Miller Bass 1959 Jazz, jazz fusion, R&B, rock, funk

Brecker Brothers, Miles Davis, Kenny Kirkland, Mike Mainieri, Harvey Mason, Wayne Shorter, Tony Williams, Herbie Hancock, George Duke, Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Victor Wooten, Vladislav Sendecki, SMV

Mike Miller Guitar 1953 Jazz, jazz fusion, rock, pop

Chick Corea Elektric Band, Chad Wackerman

Mitch Mitchell Drums 1947–2008 Rock, psychedelic rock, hard rock, jazz fusion

Jack Bruce, Larry Coryell

Patrick Moraz Keyboards 1948 Progressive rock, electronic, jazz fusion

Chick Corea, Bill Bruford

Airto Moreira Drums 1941 Jazz, jazz fusion, world fusion

Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter, Chick Corea, Return to Forever, Dave Holland, Jack DeJohnette, John McLaughlin, Keith Jarrett, Kenny Kirkland, Al Di Meola, Zakir Hussain, George Duke

As leader: Free (1972)

Steve Morse Guitar 1954 Progressive rock, hard rock, heavy metal, jazz fusion

Dixie Dregs, Jerry Goodman

Alphonse Mouzon Drums 1948 Jazz, jazz fusion

Weather Report, The Eleventh House, Miles Davis, Larry Coryell, Patrick Moraz, Al Di Meola, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Kenny Kirkland, Jaco Pastorius

As leader: Mind Transplant (1975)

Idris Muhammad Drums 1939–2014 Jazz, jazz funk, crossover jazz

John Scofield

As leader: Power of Soul (1974), House of the Rising Sun (1976)

N
Teruo Nakamura Bass 1942 Avant-garde jazz, jazz fusion

Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Barry Finnerty, Steve Gadd, Steve Grossman, Marcus Miller, Alphonse Mouzon, Lenny White

As leader: Unicorn (1973), Rising Sun (1976), Route 80 (1981), Super Friends (1985)

P
Alan Pasqua Keyboards 1952 Rock, hard rock, jazz, jazz fusion

Tony Williams, Allan Holdsworth

With The New Tony Williams Lifetime: Believe It (1975), Million Dollar Legs (1976), with Allan Holdsworth: Metal Fatigue (1985), Atavachron (1986), Sand (1987), Secrets (1989), with Allan Holdsworth, Jimmy Haslip and Chad Wackerman: Blues for Tony (2010)

Jaco Pastorius Bass 1951–1987 Jazz, jazz fusion, big band

Weather Report, Herbie Hancock, Kenny Kirkland, Pat Metheny, Trio of Doom, Flora Purim, Airto Moreira, Al Di Meola, Vladislav Sendecki, Mike Stern, Biréli Lagrène

As leader: Jaco Pastorius (1976)

John Patitucci Bass 1959 Jazz, jazz fusion

Chick Corea, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, John Abercrombie, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Tony Williams, Airto Moreira, Flora Purim, Chick Corea Elektric Band

Nicholas Payton Trumpet 1973 Jazz, jazz fusion

Chick Corea, The Headhunters

Simon Phillips Drums 1957 Hard rock, heavy metal, jazz fusion, jazz

Jack Bruce, Jeff Beck, RMS

Frank Pilato Guitar 1982 Jazz fusion, Avant-garde jazz, Classical Music, Rock

Jeff Berlin, Gary Willis, Mitchel Forman, Dave Carpenter

Chris Poland Guitar 1957 Thrash metal, instrumental rock, jazz fusion, progressive metal

OHM

Jean-Luc Ponty Violin 1942 Jazz, jazz fusion, bebop

John McLaughlin, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Frank Zappa, Al Di Meola, Kenny Kirkland, Stanley Clarke, Bela Fleck, Return to Forever

As leader: Imaginary Voyage (1976), Enigmatic Ocean (1977), Cosmic Messenger (1978)

Chris Potter Saxophone 1971 Post-bop, jazz, jazz fusion

Wayne Krantz, Mike Mainieri, Dave Holland, Kenny Kirkland, John Patitucci, Jack DeJohnette, John Scofield

Julian Priester Trombone 1935 Avant-garde jazz, jazz-funk, jazz fusion, post-bop

Leon "Ndugu" Chancler, Eric Gravatt, Dave Holland, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Sun Ra, Billy Cobham

As leader: Love, Love (1974), with Herbie Hancock: Mwandishi (1970), Crossings (1972), Sextant (1973), V.S.O.P. (1977), with Billy Cobham: Inner Conflicts (1978), with Sun Ra: Lanquidity (1978)

Flora Purim Vocals 1942 Jazz, jazz fusion, world fusion

Return to Forever, Airto Moreira, Chick Corea, George Duke, Alphonso Johnson

As leader: Butterfly Dreams (1973)

R
Mike Ratledge Keyboards 1943 Psychedelic rock, progressive rock, jazz fusion

Soft Machine

With Soft Machine: Third (1970), Fourth (1971), Fifth (1972), Six (1973), Seven (1973), Bundles (1975), Softs (1976)

Terje Rypdal Guitar 1947 Jazz, jazz fusion

Jack DeJohnette, Kenny Kirkland, Miroslav Vitous, Jean-Luc Ponty

As leader: Terje Rypdal (1971)

S
Carlos Santana electric Guitar 1947 Latin rock, rock, blues rock, funk, jazz fusion, salsa, pop, free jazz

John McLaughlin, Don Alias, Larry Young, Billy Cobham, Jan Hammer, Tom Coster

With Santana: Caravanserai (1972), Welcome (1973), Lotus (1974), Borboletta (1974), collaboration with John McLaughlin: Love Devotion Surrender (1973)

Gar Samuelson Drums 1958–1999 Jazz fusion, heavy metal, speed metal, thrash metal

Chris Poland, Robertino "Pag" Pagliari

John Scofield Guitar 1951 Jazz, jazz fusion

Miles Davis, Billy Cobham, George Duke, Dennis Chambers, Jack DeJohnette, Kenny Kirkland, Pat Metheny, Mike Stern

With Miles Davis: Star People (1983)

Tom Scott Saxophone 1948 Post bop, jazz pop, crossover jazz, smooth jazz, jazz fusion

Jaco Pastorius, Alphonse Mouzon, Stanley Clarke, Kenny Kirkland, Tony Williams, John Patitucci, Randy Brecker

Vladislav Sendecki Keyboards 1970 Jazz, jazz fusion, jazz-funk, electro funk, funk, bebop, post bop, hard bop, progressive jazz, classical music, avant-garde jazz, electronica, progressive rock, film score, theatre, world fusion, world music

Alex Acuña, Victor Bailey, Till Brönner, Brecker Brothers, Philip Catherine, Mino Cinelu, Billy Cobham, Larry Coryell, Klaus Doldinger, Urszula Dudziak, Mike Gibbs, Peter Herbolzheimer, Gary Husband, Al Jarreau, Quincy Jones, Biréli Lagrène, Nils Landgren, Didier Lockwood, Bobby McFerrin, Charlie Mariano, Vince Mendoza, Marcus Miller, Airto Moreira, Nils Petter Molvaer, Zbigniew Namysłowski, Mike Oldfield, Jaco Pastorius, Maria Schneider, Lew Soloff, Tomasz Stanko, Markus Stockhausen, Jarek Śmietana, Colin Towns, Lenny White, Buster Williams, Michał Urbaniak

Derek Sherinian Keyboards 1966 Progressive metal, progressive rock, jazz fusion

Planet X, Tony MacAlpine, Simon Phillips, Steve Lukather, Al Di Meola, Dream Theater

Wayne Shorter Saxophone 1933-2023 Jazz, crossover jazz, post-bop, hard bop, jazz fusion

Miles Davis, Weather Report, Herbie Hancock, Kenny Kirkland, Tony Williams, Jaco Pastorius, Marcus Miller, Joe Zawinul

As leader: Native Dancer (1975), with Miles Davis: Filles de Kilimanjaro (1969), In a Silent Way (1969), Bitches Brew (1970), Miles Davis at Fillmore: Live at the Fillmore East (1970), Big Fun (1974), Live-Evil (1971), with Joe Zawinul: Zawinul (1971), with Weather Report: Weather Report (1971), I Sing the Body Electric (1972), Live in Tokyo (1972), Sweetnighter (1973), Mysterious Traveller (1974), Tale Spinnin' (1975), Black Market (1976), Heavy Weather (1977), Mr. Gone (1978), 8:30 (1979), Procession (1983), Domino Theory (1984), Sportin' Life (1985), This Is This! (1986), with Herbie Hancock: Man-Child (1975), with Jaco Pastorius: Jaco Pastorius (1976), Word of Mouth (1981), with Marcus Miller: The Sun Don't Lie (1993)

Steve Smith Drums 1954 Jazz, jazz fusion, post-bop, rock

Vital Information, Steps Ahead, Jean-Luc Ponty, Larry Coryell, Victor Wooten, Mike Stern, Randy Brecker, Scott Henderson, Frank Gambale, Tony MacAlpine, Allan Holdsworth, Stanley Clarke

Peter Sprague Guitar 1955 Jazz, jazz fusion

Chick Corea, Pat Metheney

Jeremy Steig Flute 1942 Jazz, jazz fusion

Jan Hammer, Eddie Gómez

Mike Stern Guitar 1953 Jazz, jazz fusion, post-bop

Miles Davis, Brecker Brothers, Peter Erskine, John Patitucci, Jack DeJohnette, Don Alias, Kenny Kirkland, Dennis Chambers, Richard Bona, Kenny Garrett, Bela Fleck, Steps Ahead, Bunny Brunel, Jaco Pastorius, Cristiano Parato

Dave Stewart Keyboards 1950 Progressive rock, jazz fusion

Bill Bruford

Daryl Stuermer Guitar 1952 Progressive rock, jazz fusion

Jean-Luc Ponty, George Duke, Kenny Kirkland

Andy Summers Guitar 1942 Progressive rock, jazz fusion, post-punk, new wave, reggae

Soft Machine

T
Masayoshi Takanaka Guitar 1953 Jazz fusion, Jazz, Pop, City Pop, Rock, Samba Sadistic Mika Band, Takanaka As Leader:

Seychelles (1976), Takanaka (1977), An Insatiable High (1977), Brazilian Skies (1978), On Guitar (1978), Jolly Jive (1979), T-Wave (1980), Finger Dancin' (1980), The Rainbow Goblins (1981), Alone (1981), Saudade (1982), Can I Sing? (1983), 夏・全・開 (Open All Summer) (1984), Traumatic - Far Eastern Detectives (1985), Jungle Jane (1986), Rendez-Vous (1987), Sweet Noiz Magic (1987), Hot Pepper (1988), Gaps! (1989), Nail the Pocket (1990), Ballade (1991), Fade to Blue (1992), Aquaplanet (1993), Wood Chopper's Ball (1994), Guitar Wonder (1996), The White Goblin (1997), Bahama (1998), Walkin' (1999), Hunpluged (2000), Guitar Dream (2001), The Moon Rose (2002), Surf & Turf (2004), Sadistic Takanaka (2006), Summer Road (2009), Karuizawa Daydream (2010), Ukulele Seychelles (2011), 40th Year Rainbow (2011)

Jannick Top Bass 1947 Jazz fusion

Magma, Didier Lockwood

David Torn Guitar 1953 Jazz fusion, avant-garde jazz

Bill Bruford

U
Hiromi Uehara Keyboards 1979 Jazz, jazz fusion, post-bop

Simon Phillips, Anthony Jackson, Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke

As leader: Another Mind (2003), Brain (2004), Spiral (2005), Time Control (2007), Beyond Standard (2008), Voice (2011), Move (2012)

Michal Urbaniak Violin 1943 Jazz, jazz fusion

Larry Coryell, Miles Davis, Kenny Kirkland, Didier Lockwood, Anthony Jackson, Vladislav Sendecki

V
Miroslav Vitouš Bass 1947 Jazz, jazz fusion, jazz funk

Chick Corea, Weather Report, Joe Zawinul, Jack DeJohnette, Jan Hammer, Kenny Kirkland, Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter

As leader: Infinite Search (1970), with Larry Coryell: Spaces (1970), Planet End (1975), with Joe Zawinul: Zawinul (1971), with Weather Report: Weather Report (1971), I Sing the Body Electric (1972), Live in Tokyo (1972), Sweetnighter (1973), Mysterious Traveller (1974), with Flora Purim: Stories to Tell (1974), with Terje Rypdal and Jack DeJohnette: Terje Rypdal / Miroslav Vitous / Jack DeJohnette (1978), To Be Continued (1981)

W
Chad Wackerman Drums 1960 Jazz fusion, jazz, rock

Frank Zappa, Allan Holdsworth, John Patitucci

Kazumi Watanabe Guitar 1953 Jazz, jazz fusion

Bill Bruford, Kenny Kirkland, Wayne Shorter, Patrick Moraz, Marcus Miller, Richard Bona, Peter Erskine, Mike Mainieri

Sadao Watanabe Saxophone 1933 Jazz, jazz fusion

Jack DeJohnette, Miroslav Vitous, Chick Corea, George Duke, Kenny Kirkland, Kazumi Watanabe, Tony Williams, Marcus Miller, Nicholas Payton

As leader Round Trip (1970)

Dave Weckl Drums 1960 Jazz, jazz fusion, Latin jazz, post-bop

Anthony Jackson, Chick Corea, Mike Stern, Cristiano Parato

Steve Weingart Keyboards 1966 Jazz, jazz fusion, funk

Virgil Donati, Robben Ford, Frank Gambale, Steve Lukather, Tony MacAlpine, Mike Miller, Simon Phillips, John Patitucci, Dave Weckl, Victor Wooten

Lenny White Drums 1949 Jazz, jazz fusion

Miles Davis, Return to Forever, Al Di Meola, Jaco Pastorius, Stanley Clarke, Brecker Brothers, Chick Corea, Kenny Kirkland, Marcus Miller, Michal Urbaniak, Larry Coryell, Vladislav Sendecki

Gary Willis Bass 1957 Jazz, jazz fusion

Scott Henderson, Kirk Covington, Tribal Tech, Allan Holdsworth, Dennis Chambers, Wayne Shorter

With Allan Holdsworth: Metal Fatigue (1985), with Tribal Tech: Tribal Tech (1991), Illicit (1992), Face First (1993), Thick (1999), Rocket Science (2000), X (2012), with Dennis Chambers: Outbreak (2002)

Tony Williams Drums 1945–1997 Jazz, jazz fusion

Miles Davis, The Tony Williams Lifetime, John McLaughlin, Larry Young, Jack Bruce, Allan Holdsworth, Jaco Pastorius, Stanley Clarke, Herbie Hancock, Kenny Kirkland, Wayne Shorter, Marcus Miller

With The Tony Williams Lifetime: Emergency! (1969), Turn It Over (1970), with The New Tony Williams Lifetime: Believe It (1975), Million Dollar Legs (1976)

Victor Wooten Bass 1964 Jazz, jazz fusion

Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, Vital Tech Tones, SMV, Chick Corea Elektric Band, Larry Coryell

With Béla Fleck and the Flecktones: Béla Fleck and the Flecktones (1990), Flight of the Cosmic Hippo (1991)

Robert Wyatt Drums 1945 Jazz fusion, progressive rock, experimental rock

Soft Machine

With Soft Machine: Third (1970), Fourth (1971)

Y
Larry Young Keyboards 1940–1998 Jazz, jazz fusion

Miles Davis, John McLaughlin, Tony Williams, Joe Henderson, Lenny White

With The Tony Williams Lifetime: Emergency! (1969), with John McLaughlin: Devotion (1969), Love Devotion Surrender (1973), with Miles Davis: Bitches Brew (1970)

Z
Frank Zappa Guitar 1940–1993 Progressive rock, jazz fusion, classical, avant-garde, computer music

Randy Brecker, George Duke, Jean-Luc Ponty, Chad Wackerman, Jack Bruce, Kenny Kirkland

As leader: Hot Rats (1969), Waka/Jawaka (1972), The Grand Wazoo (1972)

Joe Zawinul Keyboards 1932–2007 Jazz, jazz fusion, world fusion music

Miles Davis, Weather Report, Wayne Shorter, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Kenny Kirkland, Jaco Pastorius, Alphonso Johnson, Peter Erskine

As leader: Zawinul (1971), Di•a•lects (1986), World Tour (1998), Faces & Places (2002), Brown Street (2007), with Miles Davis: In a Silent Way (1969), Bitches Brew (1970), Miles Davis at Fillmore: Live at the Fillmore East (1970), Live-Evil (1971), Big Fun (1974), with Weather Report: Weather Report (1971), I Sing the Body Electric (1972), Live in Tokyo (1972), Sweetnighter (1973), Mysterious Traveller (1974), Tale Spinnin' (1975), Black Market (1976), Heavy Weather (1977), Mr. Gone (1978), 8:30 (1979), Weather Report (1982 album) (1982), Procession (1983), Domino Theory (1984), Sportin' Life (1985), This Is This! (1986)

Bassists

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Drummers and Percussionists

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Guitarists

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Keyboardists

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Saxophonists

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Trumpeters and Flugelhornists

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Other Instruments

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Bands

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References

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  1. ^ "John Novello – Home".
  2. ^ "Niacin". Niacin. Retrieved 2022-04-21.
  3. ^ "John Novello". Discogs. Retrieved 2022-04-21.
  4. ^ "R.I.P. Daevid Allen, founder of Gong and Soft Machine, has died – Consequence". Archived from the original on 2015-12-18. Retrieved 2015-08-18.