In the '70s, brothers Michael and Randy Brecker co-led a band of New York session big shots that included, at various times, David Sanborn, Don Grolnick, Will Lee, and George Duke, among others. When they chose, the Brecker Brothers Band could be one of the most intelligent and creative fusion outfits. Chief composer/trumpeter Randy's best tunes... [+] Read More

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One of the founding members of the influential world-music/fusion band Shadowfax, Greenberg played flute, saxophone, and keyboards. The California-based artist was also well known for his use of the Lyricon, an electronic wind instrument he helped develop. The Lyricon added an ethereal dimension to his masterful melodic improvisations. As a... [+] Read More

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Hiroshima, a group whose music falls between R&B, pop, world music, and jazz, has long had its own niche. The band integrates traditional Japanese instruments into their musical blend and has generally been both commercial and creative within its genre. Hiroshima's founding members are keyboardist Dan Kuramoto (who also played shakuhachi), June... [+] Read More

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Kori was born in Cedar City, Utah. She grew up in Minnesota listening to many varied artists ranging from Rock and Roll to Jazz. When she turned 8, she decided she wanted to learn to play the piano. Her parents encouraged her interest by having her take lessons.
Many musical artists influenced Kori's music including: Yanni, Vangelis, Enya,... [+] Read More

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A seamless blend of Celtic music, jazz, and classical chamber music has given Nightnoise their distinct sound. Nightnoise was initially conceived as a duo formed by Irish guitarist Mícháel Ó Domhnaill, formerly of Skara Brae and the Bothy Band, and classically trained American violinist Billy Oskay, shortly after Ó Domhnaill moved to Portland.... [+] Read More

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One of the earliest and finest exponents of world jazz, Oregon began life in 1970 as an offshoot of the Paul Winter Consort, in which the group's original members had played. From the beginning, the band eschewed most jazz conventions. Percussionist Collin Walcott played tabla, sitar, and dulcimer, among other instruments, but did not use a trap... [+] Read More

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One of the most original guitarists from the '80s onward (he is instantly recognizable), Pat Metheny is a chance-taking player who has gained great popularity but also taken some wild left turns. His records with the Pat Metheny Group are difficult to describe (folk-jazz? mood music?) but managed to be both accessible and original, stretching... [+] Read More

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Combining Latin and African rhythms with the light textures of MOR jazz, Special EFX emerged as one of the most prominent world fusion groups of their era. Formed in New York in 1982, Special EFX was essentially a duo comprised of guitarist Chieli Minucci and Hungarian-born drummer/percussionist George Jinda; debuting in 1985 with the album... [+] Read More

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