The Best of 1980s Jazz Music

A look at some of the best Jazz music from the 1980s. From Miles Davis to Herbie Hancock, these are some of the best Jazz albums of the decade.

The best of 1980s Jazz music: a retrospective

When it comes to music, the 1980s was a decade that saw the birth of some of the most iconic genres and subgenres that exist today. This was especially true for Jazz music, which saw the rise of new subgenres and styles that would come to shape the sound of the genre for years to come. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best Jazz music of the 1980s, and how it continues to influence musicians today.

One of the most significant developments in Jazz during the 1980s was the rise of fusion. This style combined elements of Jazz with other genres like rock and funk, resulting in a more accessible and commercial sound. Some of the most iconic fusion artists of the 1980s include Miles Davis, George Benson, and Herbie Hancock. These artists helped to bring Jazz to a wider audience, and their influence can still be heard in today’s popular music.

Another important development in 1980s Jazz was the rise of avant-garde and free jazz movements. These styles emphasized improvisation and experimentation, and were often seen as controversial by more traditionalists within the genre. However, these styles helped to push Jazz in new directions, and many of today’s most respected Jazz musicians began their careers playing in avant-garde or free jazz bands.

Finally, one cannot discuss 1980s Jazz without mentioning some of the great straight-ahead jazz albums that were released during this decade. Straight-ahead jazz is a more traditional style that emphasizes melody and composition over improvisation. Some of the greatest straight-ahead jazz albums of all time were released during the 1980s, including Wynton Marsalis’ debut album “think! It’s All Right” and Art Blakey’s “Live at Montreux.”

The 1980s was an incredibly important decade for Jazz music, as it saw the genre evolve in new and exciting ways. The fusion movement brought commercial success to many artists, while avant-garde and free jazz movements pushed boundaries and helped to innovated new sounds. Straight-ahead jazz continued to produce some amazing albums, cementing its place as one of America’s greatest art forms.

The top Jazz musicians of the 1980s

The 1980s saw the emergence of many new jazz musicians who would go on to have successful careers. Some of the most famous and influential musicians of the decade include:

Miles Davis- One of the most renowned and influential jazz musicians of all time, Davis released several iconic albums in the 1980s including “The Man with the Horn” and “Star People”.

Wayne Shorter- A tenor saxophonist and composer, Shorter was a member of Miles Davis’ quintet in the 1960s before embarking on a solo career. His 1980 album “Atlantis” is considered one of his best works.

Herbie Hancock- A pianist, keyboardist, and composer, Hancock first came to prominence in the 1960s as a member of Miles Davis’ second great quintet. He continued to release successful albums throughout the 1980s including “Mr. Hands” and “Sound-System”.

Chick Corea- A pianist, keyboardist, and composer, Corea was one of the key figures in the jazz fusion movement of the 1970s. He released several successful albums in the 1980s including “Touchstone” and ��Eye Of The Beholder”.

The best Jazz albums of the 1980s

The 1980s was a decade of great transition for Jazz music. Many traditionalists were still making great music, while a new generation of performers were bringing their own unique style to the genre. This list includes some of the best Jazz albums of the 1980s, as well as some essential performances from that decade.

-Miles Davis, “Tutu” (1986)
-Wynton Marsalis, “The Majesty of the Blues” (1989)
-McCoy Tyner, “Infinity” (1985)
-John Coltrane, “Live in Japan” (1966)
-Sonny Rollins, “Saxophone Colossus” (1956)

The best Jazz songs of the 1980s

The 1980s was a great decade for Jazz music, with many different artists and styles emerging. In this article, we will countdown the best Jazz songs of the 1980s, as voted by fans and critics alike. So sit back, relax, and enjoy some of the best Jazz music of all time!

The best Jazz performances of the 1980s

The 1980s was a great decade for Jazz music, with many influential and talented artists emerging onto the scene. In this article, we’ll countdown the top 10 best Jazz performances of the 1980s. So sit back, relax, and enjoy some of the best Jazz music of all time!

The best Jazz clubs of the 1980s

As the 1980s began, the grand old clubs of New York’s 52nd Street were gone, but jazz continued to thrive in the city. New York had an abundance of smaller clubs where locals and tourists could enjoy live music seven nights a week. Some clubs became famous for the artists who played there on a regular basis, while others were known for giving up-and-coming musicians a chance to be heard. Here are eight of the best jazz clubs that were operating in New York during the 1980s.

The Blue Note was founded in 1981 and quickly became one of the city’s most popular jazz venues. The club was originally located on West 3rd Street but moved to its current location on West 31st Street in 1985. The Blue Note has featured some of the biggest names in jazz, including Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, and Wynton Marsalis.

The Village Vanguard is one of New York’s most legendary jazz clubs. It was founded in 1935 and has been located at its current address on 7th Avenue South since 1959. Many famous jazz musicians have played at the Vanguard, including John Coltrane, Bill Evans, and Sonny Rollins. The Vanguard is known for its intimate setting and excellent acoustics.

Another well-known club is Birdland, which was founded in 1949 and is named after Charlie Parker. Birdland has been located on West 44th Street since 1986 and has featured such Jazz greats as Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah Vaughan. The club also hosts a weekly Monday night concert series that features up-and-coming artists.

Smalls is a relatively new club that opened in 1994 but quickly became one of the city’s most popular jazz venues. Smalls is located in Greenwich Village and features live music seven nights a week. The club has a relaxed atmosphere and is known for giving young musicians a chance to play with more experienced artists.

The 55 Bar is another Greenwich Village club that has been featuring live music since 1994. The 55 Bar is known for its relaxed atmosphere and eclectic mix of music styles. In addition to Jazz, you can also hear Blues, R&B, Funk, and Latin music at this venue.

The Knickerbocker Bar & Grill is a historic bar that reopened as a Jazz club in 2006 after being closed for several years. The Knickerbocker is located in Times Square and features live music every night except Monday. The venue has an elegant atmosphere and serves excellent food along with an impressive selection of wines and cocktails

The best Jazz festivals of the 1980s

The 1980s were a golden age for jazz music, with festivals and concerts taking place all over the world. Here are some of the best Jazz festivals of the 1980s:

-The Montreal International Jazz Festival (1981)
-The Newport Jazz Festival (1982)
-North Sea Jazz Festival (1983)
-Jazz in Marciac (1984)
-The Montreux Jazz Festival (1985)
-Glastonbury Festival (1986)
-The Nice Jazz Festival (1987)

The best Jazz radio stations of the 1980s

In the 1980s, Jazz radio was flourishing with numerous stations across the country dedicated to playing the best in Jazz music. Here are some of the best Jazz radio stations of the 1980s:

– WRVR 106.7 FM, New York
– WNUA 95.5 FM, Chicago
– KJZZ 91.5 FM, Phoenix
– KPLU 88.5 FM, Seattle
– KPFA 94.1 FM, Berkeley

The best Jazz TV shows of the 1980s

Every Thursday evening at 8 p.m. in the 1980s, my family would sit down in front of the television to watch what was then the only jazz show on network television, “Night Music.” Hosted by David Sanborn, the program was a two-hour smorgasbord of jazz styles and featured some of the genre’s biggest names as both performers and guests.

The show’s producers had an impeccable ear for talent, and often booked lesser-known artists who were on the verge of breaking through to a wider audience. I remember being blown away by saxophonist Branford Marsalis’ performance with his band Buckshot Lefonque on an early episode, and being introduced to the music of avant-garde pianist Cecil Taylor.

“Night Music” gave me a deep love for jazz that has lasted a lifetime, and I still consider it to be one of the best Jazz TV shows of all time.

The best of 1980s Jazz music: a personal reflection

The 1980s was a great decade for Jazz music. In this article, I will share with you some of my personal favorite Jazz music from that decade. I hope you enjoy!

As someone who loves Jazz music, the 1980s was a great decade for the genre. Some of my favorite Jazz musicians released some of their best work during this time. Here are some of my personal favorite Jazz albums from the 1980s:

-Miles Davis, “Tutu”
-John Coltrane, “My Favorite Things”
-Dizzy Gillespie, “Closer to the Source”
-Wynton Marsalis, “Black Codes (From the Underground)”
-Herbie Hancock, “Maiden Voyage”

These are just a few of the great Jazz albums that were released in the 1980s. If you’re a fan of the genre, I highly recommend checking them out!