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, US
Genres
Jazz fusion
progressive rock
world jazz
Years active
1971–1976
1984–1987
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.
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