Formed by John McLaughlin in 1971, the Mahavishnu Orchestra pioneered the fusion of jazz elements into rock music while still undeniably retaining the power and muscle of a full on rock band. With McLaughlin as the ever-present, the line-up went through various phases and these two concerts from Montreux showcase the band at distinctively different times of their career 1984: John McLaughlin, Bill Evans. Mitchell Forman, Jonas Hellborg, Danny Gottlieb / 1. Radio-Activity 2. Nostalgia 3. East Side, West Side 4. Clarendon Hills 5. Medley: Blues for L.W., It’s the Pits, Living on the Crest of a Wave 6. Jozy 7. Pacific Express 8. Mitch Match 9. Mitch Match (Reprise) 1974: John McLaughlin, Ralphe Armstrong, Narada Michael Walden, Jean-Luc Ponty, Gayle Moran, Steve Kindler / 1. Wings of Karma 2. Hymn to Him 3. Power Of Love 4. Smile Of The Beyond 5. Vision Is A Naked Sword 6. Sanctuary
Berlin's 1965 Jazz Piano Workshop reunited some of the instrument's finest exponents from the full stylistic spectrum of jazz piano. The great Teddy Wilson was on hand to represent the swing piano style; the father of jazz piano improvisation Earl Hines was also present; Lennie Tristano served as an exponent of modern exploratory piano playing; two of the idiom's most lyrical modern pianists, Bill Evans and John Lewis were in attendance, and a nexus between the traditional and the modern, Jaki Byard -who alternated free and stride passages on the same tune- filled out this historical lineup. A notable absence was pianist Bud Powell, who was then living a troublesome period which would end with his death the following year. The two other main influences missing from the performance were Thelonious Monk, who was touring Europe with his own band, and Art Tatum, who had died in 1956.
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