Mahavishnu Orchestra | |
|---|---|
 The original line-up on stage in 1973. Left to right: Jerry Goodman, Jan Hammer, John McLaughlin, Billy Cobham, Rick Laird | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | New York City, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Years active |
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| Labels | Columbia |
| Past members | John McLaughlin Billy Cobham Jan Hammer Jerry Goodman Rick Laird Ralphe Armstrong Narada Michael Walden Gayle Moran Jean-Luc Ponty Stu Goldberg Bill Evans Jonas Hellborg Mitchel Forman Danny Gottlieb Jim Beard |
The Mahavishnu Orchestra was a jazz fusion band formed in New York City in 1971, led by English guitarist John McLaughlin.[1] The group underwent several line-up changes throughout its history across its two periods of activity, from 1971 to 1976 and from 1984 to 1987.[2] With its first line-up consisting of musicians Billy Cobham, Jan Hammer, Jerry Goodman, and Rick Laird, the band received its initial acclaim for its complex, intense music consisting of a blend of Indian classical music, jazz, and psychedelic rock as well as its dynamic live performances between 1971 and 1973.[3][4] Many members of the band have gone on to acclaimed careers of their own in the jazz and jazz fusion genres.
- ^ Colin Larkin, ed. (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music (Concise ed.). Virgin Books. p. 787. ISBN 1-85227-745-9.
- ^ "Mahavishnu Orchestra – Biography, Albums, & Streaming Radio". AllMusic. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
- ^ Smith, Roger L. (1972-02-11). "Rock and Schlock". The Harvard Crimson. The Harvard Crimson Inc. Retrieved 2019-02-22.
McLaughlin has chosen to work toward a musical intensity that aims inward rather than outward. There is never a wasted note, yet the improvisation by each member of the group is always present, always building and directing the music.
- ^ Heckman, Don (1972-07-07). "Jazz: Mahavishnu – A Trip Into Rock". The New York Times. Retrieved 2019-02-22.
...the Mahavishnu ensemble has gradually developed a form of jazz that dips into rock, blues, Indian music, "classical music" and electronics for source material, stylistic elements and aesthetic energy.