jazz rock
what it is
Jazz-Rock is a form of rock music strongly influenced by Jazz in terms of its structure and/or instrumentation. Its origins can be traced back to the late 1960s, where artists such as Soft Machine and Frank Zappa created extended, improvisational jams which favoured (but were not limited to) traditional rock instruments. Jazz-Rock can also refer to less experimental forms of rock incorporating the sound and style of jazz within a pop-song structure (Chicago, Steely Dan).
✦ start here: albums
✦ who's making it, level by level
level 2 · the door
big names with a sharper edge
level 3 · one step out
cult favorites and indie darlings
level 4 · further
art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
level 5 · all the way
deep experimental
✦ make jazz rock a playlist
turn these 25 artists into something you can press play on.
✦ nearby genres
questions
What is jazz rock?
Jazz-Rock is a form of rock music strongly influenced by Jazz in terms of its structure and/or instrumentation. Its origins can be traced back to the late 1960s, where artists such as Soft Machine and Frank Zappa created extended, improvisational jams which favoured (but were not limited to) traditional rock instruments. Jazz-Rock can also refer to less experimental forms of rock incorporating the sound and style of jazz within a pop-song structure (Chicago, Steely Dan).
What are good jazz rock albums to start with?
Try The Grand Wazoo by Frank Zappa, The Inner Mounting Flame by Mahavishnu Orchestra, Blackstar by David Bowie, and Valentyne Suite by Colosseum.
Who are some women making jazz rock?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/jazz-rock/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making jazz rock, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-20