Final answer:
The blending of jazz and other musical genres in the 1980s is known as Fusion.
Step-by-step explanation:
Fusion, or the blending of jazz and various other musics, seemed particularly characteristic of the 1980s. The answer is a) Fusion. The 1980s was a time when jazz fused with other genres such as gospel, blues, country, R&B, and rock and roll, creating a vibrant new sound that resonated with diverse audiences.
The fusion era embraced the use of electric instruments and incorporated diverse musical influences, contributing to the evolving landscape of American music.