Jazz fusion (or jazz-rock) combined the intellectual complexity of jazz with the energy of rock and funk: in place of an acoustic trio — electric guitars, the Rhodes electric piano, synthesizers, bass guitar, and drums with a hard beat.
Its starting point was Miles Davis's electric albums In a Silent Way and Bitches Brew (1969–70). From them grew the bands Weather Report (Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter), Return to Forever, and the Mahavishnu Orchestra. Fusion made jazz part of the modern electric musical culture. Herbie Hancock (Head Hunters, 1973) added funk, Chick Corea and John McLaughlin dazzling virtuosity, and the style defined the sound of jazz for decades.
