Jazz-funk
Herbie Hancock, one of the pioneers of jazz-funk
Stylistic origins	Jazz funk soul R&B
Cultural origins	Late 1960s – 1970s, United States
Subgenres
Free funk
Other topics
Jazz fusion,rare groove

Jazz-funk is a subgenre ofjazz music characterized by a strongback beat, electrified sounds,^[1] andanalog synthesizers. The integration offunk,soul, andR&B music and styles into jazz resulted in the creation of a genre that ranges from purejazz improvisation to soul, funk ordisco with jazz arrangements, jazzriffs, jazz solos, and sometimes soul vocals.^[2] Similar genres to jazz funk includeacid jazz.^[3]

Jazz-funk generally exhibits a simple structure based around one or two riffs, and a harmonic structure that allows musicians to improvise.^[4] Modern jazz funk music was influenced byHerbie Hancock.^[5] TheMizell Brothers were producers for many jazz and soul artists. Examples of early jazz funk albums includeMiles Davis'On the Corner (1972)^[6] andJimmy Smith'sRoot Down (1972).^[7]The Last Poets,Gil Scott-Heron,Lightnin' Rod,^[8]T.S. Monk,Pleasure,Boogaloo Joe Jones,Lenny White,Don Blackman,Monk Higgins,Wilbur Bascomb,^[9] the Blackbyrds,Donald Byrd andLes DeMerle^[10] andMichael Henderson^[11] released jazz funk albums.

Jazz funk musicians used electric instruments, such as theRhodes Piano or electric guitar,bass guitar, organ, particularly injazz fusion.^[12] Herbie Hancock played ARP Odyssey synthesizer andclavinet on albumHead Hunters (1973).^[13]Jennifer Lopez popularized "jazz funk dance" in the sketch comedyIn Living Color.^[14]

The controversy may have helped jazz find a larger audience.^[15] By contrast, pop audiences found it "too jazzy" and, therefore, too complex.^[16]

Some mainstream artists injazz used specialist producers to commercial success. Larry and Fonce Mizell^[17] produced jazz-funk artists such asJohnny "Hammond" Smith,Gary Bartz, Roger Glenn, the Blackbyrds, andDonald Byrd.^[18]

In the UK's nightclubs of the mid-late 1970s, DJs includingColin Curtis inManchester,Birmingham's Graham Warr andShaun Williams, andLeeds-based Ian Dewhirst and Paul Schofield championed the genre, along withChris Hill and Bob Jones in the South.^[19]

London-based jazz funk pioneers drew a new audience to jazz: notablypirate radio stations Invicta 92.4 and JFM. In the late 1980s,rare groove crate diggers–DJs in England who were interested in looking back into the past and re-discovering old tunes–Norman Jay andGilles Peterson achieved prominence.^[20]

While the majority of jazz-funk bands are American,British jazz-funk artists and bands emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s.^[21] They were encouraged by club DJs such asChris Hill andRobbie Vincent, who was then onBBC Radio London, andGreg Edwards, who had a show on London's first commercial radio station,Capital Radio. They launched a jazz festival in 1980, where the jazz-funk bandLight of the World performed.^[22] Jazz-funk was also played on Europe's first soul station,Radio Invicta, andpirate radio stations such asSolar Radio, Horizon, andKiss FM.^[23] The first of these bands to establish a UK identity was Light of the World, formed by Kenny Wellington,^[24]Jean-Paul 'Bluey' Maunick and other musicians.

Acid jazz is a related jazz genre, but places more emphasis on groove, similar to funk, hip hop, and club dance music.^[25]Incognito,The Brand New Heavies,Jamiroquai, and theJames Taylor Quartet helped the acid jazz movement surge in popularity. UK groupUS3 signed toAcid Jazz Records, founded by Peterson andEddie Piller. US3 covered "Cantaloupe Island", originally recorded byHerbie Hancock.^[26]

• Chase

• Jazz-funk atAllMusic
• Jazz funk (History in Britain)
• Blues & Soul Magazine Online
• Global Funk Radio

• Jazz-funk
• Funk genres
• Jazz genres

• Articles with short description
• Short description matches Wikidata