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I am an avid Spotify playlist creator and have put together some extensive playlists since 2012. In my opinion, most jazz and fusion radio stations and online playlists dwell too heavily on the past and thus give the impression to new listeners that jazz and jazz fusion died in the 60ies and 70ies. I believe it is for this reason that many current jazz and fusion musicians struggle to earn a living, because of the inordinate amount of time that is given to music that is 40-50 years old. While we should respect what has come before and understand the history a genre's development, we also need to nourish and cherrish the young innovators of today. I hope that my playlists bring contemporary players back into focus by celebrating their creativity, energy and virtuosity. If you'd like to follow me on Spotify click the image below.

JAZZ-ROCK FUSION

Most of my listening in jazz-fusion is contemporary music from the last two or three decades as I like to keep up to date with what is current. I have conciously refrained from adding too many fusion bands from the 70ies from my main Burning Jazz-rock Fusion playlist as I feel that most listeners of these genres are already familiar with these classics or are looking for something new. For those that are more comfotable with the music of jazz fusion in the 70ies, I also have a very small playlist to bring back memories.

Burning Jazz-rock Fusion (1100 songs)

https://open.spotify.com/user/1231409117/playlist/4cSU0uru4SYGiwNv2a0Yvf

Cafe Fusion (170 songs)

https://open.spotify.com/user/1231409117/playlist/1V4duV60nkyFK108lF6QX1

70ies Fusion (30 songs)

https://open.spotify.com/user/1231409117/playlist/1CWsbq3O2Fm7mnmjcPnwiY

JAZZ

When most people think of jazz they tend to identify musicians from the 50ies and 60ies such as Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter. It's difficult to believe that some of that music is now 60-70 years old. In contrast, most of my listening in jazz is from the last three decades and my playlists reflect that. If you want to listen to the jazz of a new generation of artists, then here is a good place to start. For those who are into the jazz classics, here's also a small list for you.

Modern Jazz Picks (580 songs)

https://open.spotify.com/user/1231409117/playlist/12LMMxpk1EOZlQcmxUNbwm

Sunday Jazz (40 songs)

https://open.spotify.com/user/1231409117/playlist/5W7Z6VdorMHk67dd1witJS

Soul Jazz (130 songs)

https://open.spotify.com/user/1231409117/playlist/7c5rrt1uvYBFUCbfw8tiBM

Jazz Funk (180 songs)

https://open.spotify.com/user/1231409117/playlist/5b1Bk3Qb9pYGLk002dNeu6

World Jazz (110 songs)

https://open.spotify.com/user/1231409117/playlist/5lgPIUHnf1kVgtheP3SzoE

Classic Jazz (60 songs)

https://open.spotify.com/user/1231409117/playlist/3dxo6e3surFmrAY5J29h7A

GUITAR ORIENTED

Acoustic Guitar (70 songs)

https://open.spotify.com/user/1231409117/playlist/1uvGiohHNyssy2LQjFgzbc

Classical Guitar (40 songs)

https://open.spotify.com/user/1231409117/playlist/4ZqC48FAdFlNNdBjpqCSyD

Gypsy Guitar (20 songs)

https://open.spotify.com/user/1231409117/playlist/4NHXTIZVJ1D4iSlDKXkfn1

ROCK

Before I got into jazz-rock fusion, what got me into instrumental music were virtuoso electric guitar players like Steve Vai and Joe Satriani. What also helped helped me on my way were progressive rock bands which opened up my mind to the new possibilities of sound and story telling, without needing much emphasis on words.

Prog Rock (70 songs)

https://open.spotify.com/user/1231409117/playlist/0oepNEkEujzrMe1nSmcNg3

Instrumental Rock (110 songs)

https://open.spotify.com/user/1231409117/playlist/6abbk8XxmSPaP7VF00Lhzy

Groovy Rock and Blues (100 songs)

https://open.spotify.com/user/1231409117/playlist/1qruycbk9SqawiOYh5IHl7

BASS-GUITAR ORIENTED

Bass players are much maligned in the music world and seen as the poor person's guitar player. I think this view has been harmful to music and has likely prevented us from even hearing half as many good bass players. Anyone who explores talented musicians on a variety of instruments knows that there are some phenominal bassists out there. Bassists add so much structure and goove to music, that its difficult to imagine the music without them. The serious listener should take the time to explore talented bassists just as they would explore good guitarists, because compositionally bassists can be crucial and add character to the music.

Show Off Bass Guitar Tracks (400 songs)

https://open.spotify.com/user/1231409117/playlist/6UNY9mBvL9bkyRyW6jGa6n

Funk & Soul (270 songs)

https://open.spotify.com/user/1231409117/playlist/5h3Eps4Pr7q8ZJfNYt8EwB

Bass Contemplation (50 songs)

https://open.spotify.com/user/1231409117/playlist/0cZ2rkjozbz7IRjcrgdGvK

WORLD MUSIC

World Music (170 songs)

https://open.spotify.com/user/1231409117/playlist/1OCnAIvMd8r1LSpgSgXAJl

CHILL

Chill (170 songs)

https://open.spotify.com/user/1231409117/playlist/6ILk5EM1IA88GSQZBXhbqN

ELECTRONIC

Electronic (30 songs)

https://open.spotify.com/user/1231409117/playlist/2Ocgp5QhruZtkQl2be3Mlr

MASSAGE & MEDITATION

Massage & Meditation (60 songs)

https://open.spotify.com/user/1231409117/playlist/5dbkuTWsGq0TblzeCHEWNL