Group
Mahavishnu Orchestra
- From
- New York, United States
- Active
- 1971–1976
- Releases
- 30
- jazz fusion
- jazz rock
- jazz-funk
- jazz
About
The Mahavishnu Orchestra was a jazz fusion band formed in New York City in 1971, led by English guitarist John McLaughlin. The group underwent several line-up changes throughout its history across its two periods of activity, from 1971 to 1976 and from 1984 to 1987. With its first line-up consisting of McLaughlin, drummer Billy Cobham, keyboardist Jan Hammer, violinist Jerry Goodman and bassist Rick Laird, the band received acclaim for its complex, intense music consisting of a blend of Indian classical music, jazz, and psychedelic rock as well as its dynamic live performances between 1971 and 1973. Many members of the band have gone on to acclaimed careers of their own in the jazz and jazz-fusion genres.
Members
-
Philip Hirschi cello
-
Carol Shive violin
-
Marsha Westbrook viola
-
Jerry Goodman violin
-
Jean‐Luc Ponty violin
Discography
Albums
Live
-
Boston Symphony Hall 1972
-
Live at the Berkeley Community Theater (November 9, 1972)
-
Live at Yale University – October 28, 1973 Apple Music
-
Festival de Chateauvallon, 1972 (Live) Apple Music
-
1972-03-27: Whiskey a‐Go‐Go, Los Angeles, CA, USA
-
Unreleased Tracks From Between Nothingness & Eternity Apple Music
-
1973-01-27: Century Theater, Buffalo, NY, USA
-
Live at Montreux 1984 / 1974
-
Wild Strings
-
Between Nothingness & Eternity Apple Music
-
1973-04-01: Irish Streams: Denver, CO, USA
-
The Mourning Flame of Eternal Five
-
1973-07-21: Lenox Music Inn, Lenox, MA, USA
-
1972-11-09: Winging the Infinite: Community Theatre, Berkeley, CA, USA
-
1973-10-19: Boston Music Hall, Boston, MA, USA
Compilations
Links
Listen
Concerts
Also known as
The Mahavishnu Orchestra · The Mahavishnu Orchestra with John Mclaughlin · マハヴィシュヌ・オーケストラ
Identifiers
- MusicBrainz
- a2be74f5-0735-46f7-a295-7e41aab30029
- ISNI
- 0000000106621519
Data from MusicBrainz, saved 6 Nov 2026. Photo from Wikimedia Commons, covers from the Cover Art Archive and Apple Music.