Bringing the Heat: The Best Jazz of the 1980s

The 1980s were a great decade for jazz music, with a wide range of artists and styles to choose from. In this blog post, we’ll be taking a look at some of the best jazz albums of the 1980s, so you can add them to your collection.

Introduction

It would be impossible to overestimate the importance of the 1980s in the history of jazz. After enduring nearly two decades of sometimes-punitive criticism from mainstream critics, the music had reached something of a crossroads: Either continue to swim against the critical tide and risk irrelevance, or try to adapt to changing times and risks losing its identity. The great majority of artists opted for the latter course, and as a result, the decade witnessed some of the most significant changes in both the sound and structure of jazz since bebop liberated the music from swing nearly 40 years earlier.

The Jazz of the 1980s

If you’re a fan of jazz, then you know that the 1980s was a decade full of great music. From Miles Davis to Herbie Hancock, there were a ton of great artists making great music. In this article, we’re going to take a look at some of the best jazz of the 1980s.

The Birth of Jazz Fusion

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Miles Davis was at the forefront of a new style of jazz that blended traditional jazz with elements of rock, funk, and Latin music. This new style, which came to be known as “jazz fusion,” was most evident on Davis’ groundbreaking album Bitches Brew. Released in 1970, Bitches Brew quickly became one of the best-selling jazz albums of all time, and its success helped pave the way for a new generation of jazz musicians to experiment with different styles and sounds.

In the 1980s, many young jazz musicians began to embrace elements of punk rock and hip hop in their music. This new style, which came to be known as “jazz rap,” would have a profound impact on the sound of jazz in the years to come. The most successful exponent of jazz rap was Wynton Marsalis, who won nine Grammy Awards in the 1980s.

The Avant-Garde Movement

In the 1980s, the avant-garde jazz movement continued to gain momentum, with artists like David Murray, Henry Threadgill, Julius Hemphill, and Anthony Braxton pushing the boundaries of the genre. This experimental approach to jazz often incorporated elements of other genres, such as rock, funk, and hip-hop. The result was a truly unique sound that paved the way for future generations of jazz musicians.

The Mainstreaming of Jazz

In the 1980s, jazz began to enter into the mainstream again with artists such as Miles Davis and Wynton Marsalis becoming household names. This resurgence was partly due to the development of new technology which allowed for better recording and distribution of music. The popularity of jazz fusion also helped to boost the genre’s profile, as did the increasing number of young people taking up jazz in conservatories and colleges.

Of course, not everyone was happy with this newfound mainstream success. Some purists felt that it diluted the essence of what made jazz special, while others worry that it would lead to a homogenization of the genre. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that the 1980s was a pivotal decade for jazz, one in which the music began to reach a wider audience than ever before.

The Best Jazz of the 1980s

The 1980s were a great decade for jazz music. Some of the best jazz albums were released during this time. Artists like Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, and Wayne Shorter were at the top of their game. If you’re a fan of jazz music, then you need to check out the best jazz of the 1980s.

Miles Davis

Miles Davis was at the forefront of the jazz scene in the 1980s. He released a number of highly acclaimed albums, including “Tutu” and “Amandla”. He also collaborated with a number of other well-known musicians, such as Herbie Hancock and John McLaughlin. Davis’ music was influenced by a variety of genres, including rock and roll, Hip Hop, and African music.

Wynton Marsalis

Wynton Marsalis is one of the most well-known and influential jazz musicians of the late 20th century. He was born in New Orleans in 1961, and began playing trumpet at an early age. He studied at The Juilliard School, and soon thereafter began his professional career, performing with some of the greats of jazz such as Art Blakey, Miles Davis, and Dizzy Gillespie.

In the 1980s, Marsalis became known for his work with his own band, The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. He also released a number of highly acclaimed albums as a solo artist, including Brown Sugar (1981), Hot House Flowers (1982), and J Mood (1985). In the 1990s, Marsalis continued to be a major force in the jazz world, winning multiple Grammy Awards and further establishing himself as one of the premier trumpet players of his generation.

Herbie Hancock

Herbie Hancock is one of the most important and influential jazz musicians of all time. He first rose to prominence in the 1960s as a member of Miles Davis’s band, and went on to have a hugely successful solo career, winning multiple Grammy Awards and releasing groundbreaking albums such as Head Hunters and Mr. Hands.

The 1980s were a particularly fruitful period for Hancock, as he won two Grammys for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance (for Duo Exchange in 1983 and Perfect Machine in 1988) and released a string of well-received albums, including Feets Don’t Fail Me Now, Sound-System, and Future Shock. He also collaborated with other major artists of the era, such as Eddie Henderson, Michael Brecker, and Paul Simon.

If you’re looking for some great jazz from the 1980s, then Herbie Hancock is definitely worth checking out.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the best jazz of the 1980s was a decade of explosive creativity and boundary-pushing music. From Miles Davis to Wynton Marsalis, from George Benson to McCoy Tyner, the 1980s saw a resurgence in popularity for jazz music. Thanks in part to the advent of radio shows like “The Jazz Room” and “The Midnight Special,” more people than ever before were exposed to the sounds of this incredible decade. If you’re looking for a taste of what the best jazz of the 1980s had to offer, be sure to check out some of the albums and artists mentioned above.