Jazz rock flourished from 1968 to 1974, offering a distinctively cool and innovative hybrid sound that captivated a generation-and beyond.

Superstar bands like Blood, Sweat and Tears and Chicago have earned their place in popular consciousness, but the movement included many other powerful, innovative groups such as Tower of Power and Malo.

Author Mike Baron explores the history of this music fusion, its rise and fall in popularity. He offers highlights-and his own unique insights from a front-row seat in jazz rock-into what made the era so special.

A Brief History of Jazz Rockis a sax-meets-Strat bible that dares to inspire a Renaissance-to cultivate a new generation of musicians who might mix brass with bass, and help return forgotten bands like If and Dreams to their place on the main stage.

Born in Wisconsin, Mike Baron is best known for his comics work on Nexus, Badger, Punisher, Flash, Deadman, Star Wars, and Robotech. A perennial fan favorite, he is the winner of the prestigious Inkpot Award and the Eisner Award. He has written for every major comics publisher. He broke into comics with Nexus, co-created with artist Steve Rude. Nexus currently appears monthly in Dark Horse Presents. Baron also created Badger, one of the longest-lived and most intriguing of independent superheroes. The Badger is a multiple personality, only one of whom dons a costume to fight crime. Badger returns this winter from a resurgent First Comics. His novels include Skorpio, Helmet Head, Whack Job, and Biker. Baron lives in Colorado with his wife Ann and a bunch of mutts. bloodyredbaron.net.