2011.04.25 Vernon Reid on "Before It Had A Name" 2 of 3

The moment after a new art form emerges, it becomes codified; original ideas quickly devolve to cliches; bold discoverers give way to those who can reliably be called upon to fulfill expectations, rather than defy them.  Jazz rock fusion ended up becoming one of the most predictably bland forms of music ever devised but what were its early days like?  What was it like to be a fly on the wall as rockers discovered that they could play with expanded form and technical achievement?  And what did it feel like when jazz musicians found out that they could plug in?  Vernon Reid and I have some answers.