Mahavishnu Orchestra

follow
STATS Rank: 808 Fans: 6 Views: 11,166

Upload photos of Mahavishnu Orchestra.

Born: 1971    Primary Instrument: Band/ensemble/orchestra

Mahavishnu Orchestra - progressive jazz/fusion ensemble

John McLaughlin's Mahavishnu Orchestra is considered by many to be the greatest Jazz-fusion group of all time. The group was formed in late 1970-early 1971 by McLaughlin, a brilliant guitarist with a jazz-rock pedigree that included work with the Graham Bond Organization in the mid-60s, and with the electrified Miles Davis on his landmark “Bitches Brew” LP in 1969.

The original Orchestra included Jan Hammer (later to score TV's “Miami Vice”) on keyboards, Jerry Goodman on violin, Rick Laird on bass, and Billy Cobham on drums. Signed with much hoopla to Columbia in 1971, they released two fabulous studio albums, “Inner Mounting Flame,” (’71) and “Birds of Fire,” (’72) along with a live ‘73 album, “Between Nothingness and Eternity.”

A reformation of the group in 1974 brought Jean-Luc Ponty on board to play violin, Gayle Moran on keyboards and vocals, Ralphe Armstrong on bass, and drummer Michael Warden. This lineup recorded “Apocalpyse, in ’74. There were other personnel changes but by 1975 the band had disbanded after the album “Visions of the Emerald Beyond.”

There was another attempt in 1984 to revive the band with Cobham again on drums, Bill Evans on saxophone, Mitchell Forman, keyboards, Jonas Hellborg on bass and Danny Gottlieb on drums. This lineup released “Mahavishnu,” on Warner Brothers, to lukewarm responses from the audience.

The original Mahavishnu Orchestra and its debut album “The Inner Mounting Flame,” was a extremely innovative and high energy hallmark in the development of progressive jazz fusion.

Last Updated: June 11, 2008

Pat Metheny
Follow | Similar

Herbie Hancock
Follow | Similar

Chick Corea
Follow | Similar

John McLaughlin
Follow | Similar

Al Di Meola
Follow | Similar

Weather Report
Follow | Similar

Ornette Coleman
Follow | Similar

Frank Zappa
Follow | Similar

Carlos Santana
Follow | Similar

Jean-Luc Ponty
Follow | Similar

Soft Machine
Follow | Similar

Return to Forever
Follow | Similar

Billy Cobham
Follow | Similar

Bill Connors
Follow | Similar

Brecker Brothers
Follow | Similar

Tribal Tech
Follow | Similar

Van Der Graaf Generator
Follow | Similar

Hadrien Feraud
Follow | Similar

Gentle Giant
Follow | Similar

Please Sign Up or Log In to send your inquiry.

Sorry, no events found. Submit one now.

Your events will appear at the following locations: Jazz Near You, the weekly Jazz Near You email, the Jazz Near You app, the Jazz Near You calendar widget and this page.

Book Reviews

CD/LP/Track Review

DVD/Video/Film Reviews

Watch More Videos

Featured recording “The Inner Mounting Flame”
The Inner Mounting Flame
Columbia Records (1971)

Showcase