Episode 273, Fusion and Innovation, with Cliff Beach

Discovering Jazz

Ella Fitzgerald representing jazz fusion? You have to be kidding! Well, just give a listen to the opening track of this episode where Los Angeles jazz/soul singer Cliff Beach introduces to a later 'funky' Ella!

Somone said that if Ella Fitzgerald and Stevie Wonder had a love child, it would be Cliff! You can hear this influence on his latest album called "You Show Me The Way".

Cliff has found a lot of great fusion recordings---old and new. Some of them are from the 'magical year of fusion. We play and Cliff talks about:

-Chaka Khan and her medley of bebop tunes.
-from Japan, Casiopeia. With David Sanborn. -Nancy Wilson -Jeff Lorber -Jamie Cullum -Minnie Riperton and Stevie Wonder together -Jordan Rakei from Australia and New Zealand -Prince -Cliff Beach--The Gift of The Blues from his latest album, You Showed Me The Way -I introduce Cliff to Jane Bunnett and Maqueque. A rather different kind of 'fusion'.

As well as enjoying this music, I think you'll be impressed with Cliff's reflections and insights about the songs and the artists.