The Superstars of Jazz Fusion continue to light up stages across the country with their kinetic live performances. While each is uniquely talented, as an ensemble they feed off of each other in a way that makes the listening experience comparable to none.

 

Roy Ayers

 

Vibraphonist Roy Ayers is credited as being one of the forefathers of the Jazz Fusion genre. His career, spanning nearly four decades, is as versatile as the sound he champions. Ayers’ music has stood the test of time, and has proven to be more than relevant for new generations of musicians. His work is widely sampled today by everyone from Tribe Called Quest to Naughty by Nature proving time and again the impact of his musicianship. His recent collaborations have included Erykah Badu and Betty Wright, showcasing not only his extreme talent, but also his ability to reach across generations of musicians. It is without question that Ayers’ music will continue to inspire artists throughout the world for years to come.

 

Tom Browne

 

Award winning trumpeter Tom Browne has blessed listeners with his warm sound for decades. His debut release, “Brown Sugar” wowed critics and audiences alike, and remained on the charts for weeks. His follow-up records “Love Approach” and “Magic” each earned gold status. Browne’s genius was recognized when he received Billboard Awards for Best Instrumentalist, Best Jazz Cross-over Artist, Best Jazz Artist-Trumpet and Best Jazz Solo Album.

 

Lonnie Liston Smith

 

Lonnie Liston Smith revolutionized the keyboard sound. Inspired by the great horn players of the genre—from Charlie Parker, John Coltrane and Miles Davis—Liston Smith discovered ways to bend his instrument to model the sounds of his mentors. His unique style of playing instantly earned him spots backing some of the most recognized musicians of the day. Eventually, Liston Smith became a member of Pharaoh Sanders’ ensemble where he was encouraged to improvise with new sounds and techniques. Liston Smith rose to the challenge; creating layers of sound that would make him a stand out performer. His skills were so impressive he was asked by his idol, Miles Davis, to be a part of his band and epic recording “Big Fun.” Soon, Liston Smith was the leading man of the show—recording a series of acclaimed albums. Much like Ayers, Liston Smith has been able to stay relevant, constantly evolving and lending his sound to up and coming musicians in genres across the board.

 

Wayne Henderson

 

Trombonist Wayne Henderson is also one of the forefathers of the Jazz Fusion genre. After forming the Jazz Crusaders while still in junior high, Henderson and his lifelong buddies began experimenting with a new vibe—combining elements of funk, jazz, soul, rock and latin—to form a groundbreaking sound that would set them apart from every other musician on the scene. While the members of the group may have switched a little, the players continued to develop the sound, recording multiple acclaimed records along the way. Henderson has also produced some of the biggest names in the music industry— everyone from Jean Carne and Bill Withers to the King of Pop himself, Michael Jackson.

 

Ronnie Laws

 

Enter “Ronnie Laws” in any search engine, and you’ll find worldwide diehard admirers of his unique and compelling musical voice. They describe his work as outstanding, timeless, funky, bad-ass, high-quality, and real music to make you MOVE! People continue to sample his grooves, and admire his style. For more than 35 years, this musical legend has used his saxophone and his voice to satisfy his audience.  Ronnie’s most recent album, “Voices in the Water,” is his 26th solo release. It blends R&B with Jazz Fusion, and a surprising drop of rock and blues. This new album follows the success of his albums “Dream a Little” in 2000 (which yielded the Urban Adult and Smooth Jazz smash hit, “Old Days/Old Ways), an “Everlasting” in 2004.