War: The Music Band that Changed Jazz

War: The Music Band that Changed Jazz explores the history and music of the band War.

War: The Music Band that Changed Jazz

War was a music band that was popular in the 1970s. The band was known for its unique blend of jazz, funk, and rock music. War was one of the first bands to successfully fuse these genres together. They were also one of the first bands to use synthesizers in their music. War’s music was able to appeal to a wide range of audiences, which helped them achieve commercial success.

War’s Beginnings and Early Success

War is a Chicano rock, jazz, and funk band formed in Long Beach, California, in 1971. The band found success with their 1973 single “Spill the Wine”, which reached the top ten of both the Billboard Hot 100 chart and the UK Singles Chart. The song’s success helped War gain exposure and led to the release of their eponymous debut album later that year.

The band’s musical style evolved over the next few years, incorporating elements of Latin music, reggae, and eventually developing into a polished, horn-driven funk sound. By the mid-1970s, War was one of the most popular bands in the world and had released a string of successful albums, including The World Is a Ghetto (1972), Deliver the Word (1973), Why Can’t We Be Friends? (1975), and Low Rider (1975).

Despite their commercial success, War faced some criticism for their “party music” image and lyrics that some felt were glorifying violence. The band continued to record and perform throughout the 1980s and 1990s, but they failed to achieve the same level of success as they had in the 1970s. In 2014, War was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for “Spill the Wine”.

War’s Unique Sound

From the ashes of an L.A. drug dealer’s house fire in 1969, War was born. A ragtag bunch of guys with a unique sound that would change the face of jazz, funk and rock music. With songs like “Spill the Wine,” “Slippin’ into Darkness” and “The Cisco Kid,” War would go on to sell over 50 million records worldwide. Not bad for a bunch of guys from Long Beach, California.

War’s Influence on Jazz

War is a music band that was popular in the 1970s. The band was known for its unique blend of rock, funk, and Latin music. War’s sound was influential on the development of jazz fusion. War’s biggest hit was “Spill the Wine,” which reached the top of the charts in 1971. The band continued to record and perform until 1983, when they disbanded.

The Members of War

War was an American funk band from Long Beach, California, known for the hit songs “Spill the Wine”, “The Cisco Kid”, “Why Can’t We Be Friends?”, “Low Rider”, and “Summer”. They achieved several gold and platinum certifications. The band members were: Howard Scott, Leroy “Lonnie” Jordan, Charles Miller, Harold Brown, Morris “B.B.” Dickerson, Lee Oskar, and Papa Dee Allen.

Howard Scott

Howard Scott (trumpet, vocals) was one of the original members of War, which formed in Long Beach, California, in 1969. A dynamic and soulful trumpeter, Scott was one of the band’s primary vocalists, adding his distinctively gritty voice to such classics as “Spill the Wine,” “Slippin’ into Darkness” and “The Cisco Kid.” He also played flugelhorn and cornet on a number of War’s recordings. Scott appeared on all of the band’s albums through 1977’s Platinum-selling Galaxies, before leaving to form the jazz-funk group Laid Back. He rejoined War in 1987 and remained with the band until his death in 1994.

Leroy “Lonnie” Jordan

Leroy “Lonnie” Jordan (born December 8, 1948) is an American musician best known as a founding member, vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and keyboardist of the band War. With War, Jordan worked with notable producers such as Jerry Goldstein and Lonnie Youngblood. His writing credits include several of the band’s most popular songs, such as “Slipping Into Darkness”, “All Day Music”, “The Cisco Kid”, and “Why Can’t We Be Friends?”. Jordan has also been featured on other artists’ recordings, such as Bob Dylan’s Desire (1976).

Charles Miller

Charles Miller was an American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. He is best known as a co-founder of the hard bop quintet War.

Miller was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. He started playing the trumpet at age eleven and by his teenage years was playing professionally in nightclubs. He joined the Army during World War II and played in a military band. After his discharge, he returned to Indianapolis and continued to play in clubs. He also began arrangements for local bands.

In the early 1950s, Miller moved to Los Angeles, where he worked as a studio musician and arranger. He also began working with bandleader Gerald Wilson. In 1954, he co-founded the Jazz Crusaders, a group that would later be known as War.

War was a hugely successful band that blended elements of rock, R&B, and Latin music into their jazz compositions. They had numerous hits during the 1970s, including “Spill the Wine,” “The Cisco Kid,” “Why Can’t We Be Friends?,” and “Low Rider.” The band continued to tour and record into the 21st century.

Miller died of cancer in 2007 at the age of 82.

Harold Brown

Harold Brown (born December 12, 1942) is an American drummer, best known as a founding member of the R&B/funk band War.

Born and raised in Watts, Los Angeles, Brown started playing drums at an early age. In the early 60s he played in various jazz and rock bands around Los Angeles. He first came to prominence as the drummer for The Temptations from 1967 to 1969. He appears on the 1968 album Live at the Apollo. After leaving The Temptations, he joined the socially conscious rock band Fathers and Sons which included Lowell George, Ry Cooder, and Jim Gordon. The group released one self-titled album in 1969 before breaking up.

Stan Levi

Stanley Levinson (April 8, 1915 – May 8, 1987), better known as Stan Levi, was an American jazz saxophonist and clarinetist.

Levi was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He began playing professionally in the early 1930s, and played with various big bands including those of Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey, and Jimmy Dorsey. He also worked as a studio musician in Hollywood. In the 1940s he played with the Ralph Flanagan Orchestra and recorded with Jazz at the Philharmonic.

In the 1950s Levi toured Europe with his own band, The Stan Levi Quartet. The group recorded several albums for the London label Vogue Records. In 1955 they appeared at the Newport Jazz Festival.

Levi continued to perform and record until his death in 1987.

War’s Legacy

War was a musical group formed in the late 1960s that changed the sound of jazz and popular music. The band’s members came from different musical backgrounds, which helped them create a unique sound that was a fusion of different genres. War’s music was soulful and funky, and it had a strong message of peace and love. The band’s popularity peaked in the 1970s, but its legacy has continued to influence musicians and fans around the world.

War’s Place in Music History

War is perhaps best known for its transcendent mix of diverse musical styles, which helped broaden thecommercial appeal of jazz-fusion in the early 1970s. Formed in Long Beach, California, War was led by the dynamic pairing of singer/guitarist/producer Howard Scott and singer/multi-instrumentalist Lonnie Jordan. The other original members were Lee Oskar (harmonica), Papa Dee Allen (congas, percussion, backing vocals), Harold Brown (drums), B.B. Dickerson (bass) and Charles Miller (saxophone).

During its peak years from 1970 to 1975, War featured a rotating cast of musicians that included guitarist Gary “Mudi” Miller, keyboardist Steve Cropper, bassist Duck Dunn, drummer James Gadson and trumpeter Ivan Neville. The group’s sound was a unique blend of funk, rock, soul, Latin and jazz that defy categorization. Their biggest hits included “Slipping into Darkness” (1971), “The Cisco Kid” (1973), “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” (1975) and “Low Rider” (1975).

Despite its commercial success, War was always a band fraught with internal strife. The creative tension between Scott and Jordan frequently threatened to boil over and members came and went with regularity. The band finally unravelled for good in 1976 when Scott was convicted on charges of dealing cocaine. He served two years in prison before being released on parole in 1978.

After War disbanded, Jordan went on to enjoy a successful solo career while Scott faded into obscurity. In recent years, however, War has been rediscovered by a new generation of music fans thanks to sampling by hip-hop artists such as Dr. Dre and Easy E. In 2010, the surviving members of War reunited for a reunion tour.

War’s Influence on Contemporary Music

Since its inception in the early 1970s, War has been one of the most influential bands in contemporary music. With a blend of rock, funk, jazz, and Latin influences, War created a unique sound that appealed to a wide range of fans. The band’s success paved the way for other artists who incorporates elements of different genres into their music.

War’s musical style was shaped by the diverse background of its members. Singer/keyboardist Lonnie Jordan and guitarist Howard Scott were both born in Los Angeles, while drummer Charles Miller and bassist B.B. Dickerson were from Texas. The band’s horn section consisted of Lee Oskar on harmonica and Lew Meyers on trombone; both musicians were originally from Denmark. This diverse array of influences helped to create War’s signature sound.

The band’s debut album, “Eric Burdon Declares ‘War’,” was released in 1970. The album’s first single, “Spill the Wine,” became a top 10 hit in the United States. War followed up this success with the release of several more successful albums, including “All Day Music” (1971), “The World Is a Ghetto” (1972), and “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” (1975).

In addition to their commercial success, War was also praised for their political and social activism. The band was outspoken in their support of the civil rights movement and other social causes. Their song “The Cisco Kid,” for example, is an ode to Vietnamese refugee boat people.

Despite their success, War disbanded in 1983 after releasing ten albums. The band briefly reunited in 1994 for a tour but has not recorded any new material since then. Despite this, War’s influence can still be heard in contemporary music; their unique blend of genres continues to inspire new artists today.