SPECIAL EFX

Combining Latin and African rhythms with the light textures of MOR jazz, Special EFX emerged as one of the most prominent world fusion groups of their era. Formed in New York in 1982, Special EFX was essentially a duo comprised of guitarist Chieli Minucci and Hungarian-born drummer/percussionist George Jinda; debuting in 1985 with the album Modern Manners, they often recruited other musicians to help flesh out their state-of-the-art sound, among them Dave Grusin, Omar Hakim, and McCoy Tyner. Long favoring an accessible and slick jazz-pop sound, the duo significantly altered their identity with 1990's Just Like Magic, adopting a more acoustic texture and exchanging Jinda's electronic percussion for what he dubbed "wooden world music." After 1995's Body Language, Minucci and Jinda split, with the latter continuing to work under the Special EFX name; in early 1997, however, tragedy struck when Jinda -- having recently completed the album Here to Stay -- suffered a massive stroke, subsequently lapsing into a coma. After several years of very poor health, Jinda passed away in New York on January 11, 2001

Formed: 1982

Disbanded: 1995

Genre: Jazz

Styles: Crossover Jazz, Smooth Jazz, World/Ethnic Fusion, New Age, World

Group Members: George Jinda, Chieli Minucci

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The story of Special EFX goes back to 1982, a time that pre-dates so-called smooth jazz radio. Their story begins with founding members guitarist Chieli Minucci and percussionist George Jinda. Although a seemingly unlikely pair -- Minucci hailing from New York and coming up playing in pop and r&b bands, Jinda gaining his first musical experiences as a jazz drummer in his native Hungary -- the two forged a chemistry both on stage and in the studio that was immediate and lasting. While the two began eventually recording their own projects apart from Special EFX, after 13 albums -- Jinda under the banner of World News, Minucci as a leader in his own right -- that initial chemistry had remained intact. Cruel fate intervened in 1998 when Jinda was struck down by a life-threatening asthma attack which temporarily left him in a coma, necessitating the cancellation of a tour. He now suffers from myoclonic disorder, a neurological condition that has left him bedridden and severely compromised his ability to talk or even move his fingers. And yet, Special EFX lives on through Chieli's contributions -- and with George's whole-hearted blessings.