John McLaughlin (musician)

John McLaughlin (born John Simon McLaughlin, 4 January 1942) is an English guitarist, bandleader, and composer. A pioneer of jazz fusion, his music combines elements of jazz, rock, Indian classical music, Western classical music, flamenco, and blues.

McLaughlin is renowned for his virtuosity and speed on the guitar. He is known for his use of scalloped fretboards, custom guitars, and unique playing techniques. He frequently uses odd time signatures and complex harmonies in his compositions.

McLaughlin's career spans several decades and includes collaborations with numerous influential musicians. He first gained prominence in the late 1960s and early 1970s as a member of the Tony Williams Lifetime and as a featured guitarist on Miles Davis's landmark electric jazz albums, including In a Silent Way, Bitches Brew, and A Tribute to Jack Johnson.

In 1971, McLaughlin formed the Mahavishnu Orchestra, a highly influential jazz fusion group that blended rock instrumentation with improvisational jazz and Indian classical elements. The Mahavishnu Orchestra released several critically acclaimed albums, including The Inner Mounting Flame and Birds of Fire, before disbanding in the mid-1970s.

Following the Mahavishnu Orchestra, McLaughlin explored various musical directions, including acoustic jazz with the trio Shakti (featuring Indian musicians L. Shankar and Zakir Hussain), collaborations with Paco de Lucía and Al Di Meola, and explorations of orchestral music.

McLaughlin continues to perform and record, and his contributions to music have been widely recognized. He has received numerous awards and accolades, including a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Individual or Group, in 1982. He remains an influential figure in jazz, rock, and world music.