Indo jazz

Indo jazz is a musical genre consisting of jazz, classical and Indian influences. Its structure and patterns are based on Indian music with typical jazz improvisation overlaid. While the term itself may be comparatively recent, the concept dates at least to the mid-1950s. Musicians including John Coltrane, Yusef Lateef and others reflect Indian influences.

The Mahavishnu Orchestra might be an early example of a jazz group with Indian influences as John McLaughlin at that time was a devotee of Sri Chinmoy. Others found the improvisational elements already in some Indian music to fit well with jazz. Although John Mayer and Joe Harriott are perhaps the most important influences in the movement. In addition Alice Coltrane is also known for relational work.^[1]

In the early 1970s, L. Subramaniam pioneered a new movement of Indo-jazz fusion, which he called "neo-fusion". It became very popular especially after the release of his albums such as Fantasy Without Limits (1979), Blossom (1981), Spanish Wave (1983), Conversations (1984), Indian Express (1985), and Mani and Co. (1986), in which he collaborated with musicians including Stephane Grappelli, George Duke, Stanley Clarke, Tony Williams, Herbie Hancock, Larry Coryell, Emil Richards among others.

In America, Broto Roy, tabla percussionist, began composing and recording his brand of "Raga-Jazz" with his debut CD American Raga (1998), which was taken aboard and played on the International Space Station when Dennis Tito (America's first space tourist) blasted off into space. EMI India released it in India. His second CD, Total Immersion – Live at the Kennedy Center, is only the second CD authorized for public release by the Kennedy Center (the first was by Pavarotti). His Quartet has released two CDs: Ancient Algorithms (2015) and All Barriers Fall (May 15, 2018).