jazz funk
what it is
Jazz-funk is a sub-genre of jazz music characterized by a strong back beat (groove), electrified sounds, and often, the presence of the first electronic analog synthesizers. The integration of Funk, Soul, and R&B music and styles into jazz resulted in the creation of a genre whose spectrum is indeed quite wide and ranges from strong jazz improvisation to soul, funk or disco with jazz arrangements, jazz riffs, and jazz solos, and sometimes soul vocals. Jazz-funk is a mostly American genre, where it was popular throughout the 1970s and the early 1980s, but it also achieved noted appeal on the club-circuit in England during the mid 1970s.
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level 3 · one step out
cult favorites and indie darlings
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art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
level 5 · all the way
deep experimental
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questions
What is jazz funk?
Jazz-funk is a sub-genre of jazz music characterized by a strong back beat (groove), electrified sounds, and often, the presence of the first electronic analog synthesizers. The integration of Funk, Soul, and R&B music and styles into jazz resulted in the creation of a genre whose spectrum is indeed quite wide and ranges from strong jazz improvisation to soul, funk or disco with jazz arrangements, jazz riffs, and jazz solos, and sometimes soul vocals. Jazz-funk is a mostly American genre, where it was popular throughout the 1970s and the early 1980s, but it also achieved noted appeal on the club-circuit in England during the mid 1970s.
What are good jazz funk albums to start with?
Try Thrust by Herbie Hancock, The Vault - Old Friends 4 Sale by Prince, Master of the Game by George Duke, and Play by Alain Caron.
Who are some women making jazz funk?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/jazz-funk/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making jazz funk, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-19