Smooth jazz, also sometimes referred to as new adult contemporary music,^[1] is generally described as a genre of music that utilizes instruments (and, at times, improvisation) traditionally associated with jazz and stylistic influences drawn from mostly R&B, but also funk and pop. This article is about the Decade 1970-1979 For the Year 1970 see 1970. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The following artists and bands have performed Smooth jazz. Saxophonists Mindi Abair Gerald Albright Gato Musical Improvisation is the creative activity of immediate Musical composition, which combines performance with communication of emotions and instrumental Jazz is an American Musical art form which originated in the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States Funk is an American musical style that originated in the mid- to late-1960s when African American musicians blended Soul music, Soul Pop music as a genre features a noticeable rhythmic element catchy melodies and hooks, a mainstream style and conventional structure ^[2] Beginning in the mid 1980s, it had become successful as a radio format; however, in 2007, the format began to show signs of losing popularity as several high-profile radio stations in the Midwest and East Coast of the US began changing formats away from smooth jazz. This article is about Broadcast radio, for other uses see Radio (disambiguation. ^[3] There has been a backlash against the genre, mostly from jazz purists who consider the recordings bland, overly commercial and not truly jazz. Jazz is an American Musical art form which originated in the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States ^[2]

In June 2008, the Arbitron service announced formal approval of "Smooth AC" as a new descriptor for the format. Events in June Madaraka Day June 1 to commemorate when Kenya gained internal self-rule 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Arbitron ( is a Radio audience research company in the United States which collects listener data on radio audiences similar to that collected by Nielsen Media Adult contemporary music, frequently abbreviated AC, refers to styles of popular music that ranges from "lush Sixties pop often vocal -based and rooted in ^[4]

Description

The average smooth jazz track is on the "downtempo" (most widely played tracks are in the 90–105 BPM range) side, layering a lead, melody-playing instrument (saxophones — especially soprano and tenor — are the most popular, with guitars a close second) over a backdrop that tends to consist of programmed rhythms and various pads and/or samples. Beats per minute ( BPM) is a unit typically used as either a measure of Tempo in music or a measure of one's Heart rate. The saxophone (commonly referred to simply as sax) is a conical- bored transposing Musical instrument considered a member of the Woodwind The soprano saxophone was invented in 1840 and is a variety of the Saxophone, a Woodwind instrument. The tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the Saxophone family a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s The guitar is a Musical instrument with ancient roots that is used in a wide variety of musical styles A synth pad is a sustained tone generated by a Synthesizer, often employed for background harmony and atmosphere in much the same fashion that a string section is often used Though much of what is played under the banner of the "smooth jazz" radio format contains vocals, this is not usually the case for music recorded with the intent of categorization as smooth jazz. Rather, the stations in question pull their vocal tracks from the work of artists like Simply Red or Luther Vandross, who are normally considered "soul" or "R&B". Simply Red is an English pop band Their style draws influences from pop, rock, jazz, Lovers rock, and Blue-eyed soul Luther Ronzoni Vandross ( April 20 1951 – July 1 2005) was an American R&B and soul Singer-songwriter

Although many people and record companies group smooth and contemporary jazz together, both genres are slightly different in the way they serve the listener. Smooth jazz is generally considered background music, whereas "Straight-ahead" jazz is seen as demanding the listener's undivided attention. ^[2]

Origins

Smooth jazz can be traced to at least the late 1960s. Producer Creed Taylor worked with guitarist Wes Montgomery on three popular records (1967's A Day in the Life and Down Here on the Ground and 1968's Road Song) consisting of instrumental versions of familiar pop songs such as "Eleanor Rigby", "I Say a Little Prayer" and "Scarborough Fair". Creed Taylor (b1929 in Lynchburg Virginia) is an American Record producer. A guitarist is a Musician who plays the Guitar. Guitarists may perform solo pieces or play with ensembles and bands of a wide variety of genres John Leslie "Wes" Montgomery ( 6 March 1925 - 15 June 1968) was an American Jazz guitarist He is generally considered Pop music as a genre features a noticeable rhythmic element catchy melodies and hooks, a mainstream style and conventional structure " Eleanor Rigsby " is a song by The Beatles, originally released on the 1966 Album Revolver. " I Say a Little Prayer " is a song written by songwriters Burt Bacharach and Hal David for Dionne Warwick in 1967. " Scarborough Fair " is a traditional English Fair, as well as a traditional English Ballad. From this, Taylor founded CTI Records. CTI Records ( Creed Taylor International or Creed Taylor Incorporated) was a Jazz Record label founded in 1967 by Creed Taylor Many established jazz performers recorded for CTI (including Freddie Hubbard, Chet Baker, George Benson and Stanley Turrentine). Frederick Dewayne Hubbard (born April 7 1938 in Indianapolis, Indiana) is an American Jazz Trumpeter. Chesney Henry "Chet" Baker Jr ( Yale Oklahoma, 23 December 1929 - Amsterdam, 13 May 1988) was an American George Benson (b March 22 1943, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania) is an American musician whose recording career began at the age of twenty-one Stanley William Turrentine, also known as "Mr T" or "The Sugar Man" ( April 5, 1934 &ndash September 12, 2000) was an American The records recorded under Taylor's guidance were typically aimed as much at pop audiences as at jazz fans, with ornate string section arrangements, and a much stronger emphasis on melody than was typical in jazz. Some critics and jazz fans expressed a distaste for CTI releases, but the label's output is now generally well-regarded: critic Scott Yanow writes, "Taylor had great success in balancing the artistic with the commercial^[5]. "

In the mid- to late-1970s, smooth jazz became established as a commercially viable genre. It was pioneered by such artists as Lee Ritenour, Larry Carlton, Grover Washington, Jr., Spyro Gyra, George Benson, Sérgio Mendes, David Sanborn, Tom Scott, Dave and Don Grusin, Bob James and Joe Sample. Lee Mack "Captain Fingers" Ritenour (born January 11 1952) is an internationally acclaimed guitarist recording artist composer and producer Larry Carlton (born 2 March, 1948) is an American Jazz, pop, and rock Guitarist dividing his recording Grover Washington Jr (December 12 1943 &ndash December 17 1999 was an American Jazz-funk / Soul-jazz Saxophonist. Spyro Gyra (ˌspaɪroʊˈdʒaɪrə is an American Jazz fusion band that was originally formed in the mid-1970s in Buffalo New York, USA George Benson (b March 22 1943, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania) is an American musician whose recording career began at the age of twenty-one Sérgio Santos Mendes, pron. 'sɛxʒiu 'sɐ̃tus 'mẽ'dʒis (born February 11, 1941 in Niterói, Brazil) is a Grammy Award David Sanborn (born July 30, 1945) is an American alto Saxophonist. Tom Scott (born May 19, 1948, Los Angeles California) is an American Saxophonist, Composer, Arranger, conductor David Grusin (born June 26, 1934) is an Academy Award -winning American Composer, arranger and Pianist. Don Grusin (born April 22, 1941 in Denver, Colorado) is an American songwriter producer and keyboardist Bob James (born December 25, 1939 in Marshall Missouri) is a two-time Grammy Award -winning Smooth jazz Keyboardist Joseph Leslie "Joe" Sample (born February 1, 1939 in Houston Texas) is an American Pianist, Keyboard player

Other notable artists

Smooth jazz groups or recording artists tend to play their instruments in a melodic fashion such that they are recognizable within just a few measures; this category includes names such as saxophonists Kenny G, David Sanborn and Art Porter, Jr.; guitarists George Benson, Marc Antoine, and Peter White; and pianists Joe Sample, David Benoit, and Bradley Joseph. Kenneth Gorelick (born June 5, 1956) better known by his Stage name Kenny G, is an American Saxophonist whose fourth David Sanborn (born July 30, 1945) is an American alto Saxophonist. Arthur L 'Art' Porter Jr, ( 3 August 1961 - 23 November 1996) was an American Jazz Saxophonist. George Benson (b March 22 1943, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania) is an American musician whose recording career began at the age of twenty-one Marc Antoine (born May 28, 1963 in Paris France) is a Smooth jazz / Jazz fusion guitarist Peter White (born 1954 is a Smooth jazz / Jazz fusion Guitarist. Joseph Leslie "Joe" Sample (born February 1, 1939 in Houston Texas) is an American Pianist, Keyboard player David Benoit, (born August 18, 1953) is an American Jazz fusion / Contemporary jazz pianist composer and producer who is from Los Bradley Joseph (born 1965 is an American Composer, arranger, and producer of contemporary instrumental music. Some performers, such as Dave Koz, Bob James, and Nathan East attain attention via their numerous collaborations with many other of the genre's big names. Dave Koz ( March 27, 1963) is an American saxophonist. Because they look and sound similar Koz often draws comparisons to another well-known Bob James may refer to Bob James (musician (born 1939 jazz keyboardist arranger and producer of music Bob James (baseball (born 1958 Nathan Harrell East (born December 8 1955, in Philadelphia Pennsylvania) is a Jazz, R&B and rock bass player Groups include Fourplay, Pieces of a Dream, Acoustic Alchemy, and The Rippingtons. Fourplay is a Contemporary jazz group in the United States. The original members of the group were Bob James (keyboards Lee Ritenour (guitars Acoustic Alchemy is a British contemporary instrumental and Smooth jazz band formed in England in the early 1980s (c The Rippingtons are a contemporary or Fusion jazz group that are often considered Smooth jazz. Female performers include Keiko Matsui, Joyce Cooling, Mindi Abair, Candy Dulfer, Sade, Brenda Russell, Pamela Williams, Regina Belle, and Anita Baker. born in Tokyo as Keiko Doi on July 26, 1963, is a Japanese Smooth jazz / new age Keyboardist and Composer Joyce Cooling is a San Francisco -area Smooth jazz guitarist Growing up in New Jersey, she absorbed a wide variety of music and developed a personal style Mindi Abair (born May 31, 1969) is an American Smooth jazz Saxophonist with a strong Top-40 Pop music background Candy Dulfer (born September 19, 1969) is a Dutch Smooth jazz alto saxophonist. Brenda Russell (born April 8 1949 in Brooklyn, New York) is an African American Singer-songwriter and Keyboardist Pamela Williams is an American Smooth jazz Saxophonist, Songwriter, producer and painter. Regina Belle (born July 17, 1963) is a Grammy award winning Singer who sings Adult contemporary, Quiet storm, Anita Baker (born January 26 1958 in Toledo, Ohio, USA) is an eight-time Grammy Award -winning multi-Platinum Rhythm and blues

The Weather Channel released its first compilation album in 2007, The Weather Channel Presents: The Best of Smooth Jazz, based on collections of popular smooth jazz music played on the Local On the 8s segments. The Weather Channel (also TWC) is a commercially-sponsored US The Weather Channel Presents The Best of Smooth Jazz is a 2007 compilation release by Midas Records. It peaked at #1 on Billboard's Top Contemporary Jazz charts in the same year. See Billboard (Turkish magazine Billboard is a weekly American Magazine devoted to the Music industry ^[6] Artists represented include Joyce Cooling, Dave Koz, Paprika Soul, Four 80 East, Jeff Lorber, Pieces of a Dream, Chick Corea, Jeanne Ricks, Ryan Farish, Mark Krumowski, Najee, and 3rd Force. Joyce Cooling is a San Francisco -area Smooth jazz guitarist Growing up in New Jersey, she absorbed a wide variety of music and developed a personal style Dave Koz ( March 27, 1963) is an American saxophonist. Because they look and sound similar Koz often draws comparisons to another well-known Four80East is the Toronto based electro jazz ensemble of Rob DeBoer ( keyboards, bass and Guitar) and Tony Grace Jeff Lorber (born November 4, 1952 in Philadelphia Pennsylvania) is an American Grammy Award -nominated Keyboardist, Pieces of a Dream is an R&B/jazz fusion group from Philadelphia. Armando Anthony "Chick" Corea (born June 12, 1941) is a multiple Grammy Award winning American Jazz Pianist Ryan Farish is an American electronica artist/producer songwriter and composer Jerome Najee Rasheed born in New York NY is a Smooth Jazz/Jazz artist 3rd Force is a smooth Jazz band on the EMI Higher Octave labelconsisting of trio William Aura Craig Dobbin and Alain Eskinasi In 2008, their second compilation CD containing their most requested music was released, titled The Weather Channel Presents: Smooth Jazz II. The Weather Channel Presents Smooth Jazz II is a 2008 compilation release by Midas Records. ^[7] Artists include Russ Freeman & The Rippingtons, Jeff Lorber, Ramsey Lewis Trio, Bradley Joseph, Bernie Williams, David Benoit, Spyro Gyra, Norman Brown, Chris Geith, Joe Sample, Charlie Parker Quartet, and Eric Marienthal. For the pianist see Russ Freeman (pianist James Russell Freeman is a Jazz guitarist of multiple genres composer and bandleader Jeff Lorber (born November 4, 1952 in Philadelphia Pennsylvania) is an American Grammy Award -nominated Keyboardist, Ramsey Emmanuel Lewis Jr (b May 27, 1935) is an American Jazz icon Composer, and Pianist. Bradley Joseph (born 1965 is an American Composer, arranger, and producer of contemporary instrumental music. David Benoit, (born August 18, 1953) is an American Jazz fusion / Contemporary jazz pianist composer and producer who is from Los Spyro Gyra (ˌspaɪroʊˈdʒaɪrə is an American Jazz fusion band that was originally formed in the mid-1970s in Buffalo New York, USA Norman Brown (born December 18, 1963 in Kansas City Missouri) is a Smooth jazz guitarist & singer often compared to his predecessor Joseph Leslie "Joe" Sample (born February 1, 1939 in Houston Texas) is an American Pianist, Keyboard player Eric Marienthal is a Los Angeles-based contemporary saxophonist best known for his work in the Jazz, Smooth jazz, and pop genres

"Urban jazz" and "Chill"

A recent development is urban jazz, which incorporates aspects of hip-hop. Hip hop music, also referred to as rap music, is a Music genre typically consisting of a rhythmic vocal style called rap which is accompanied with This style is aimed at audiences who would normally listen to urban contemporary radio stations that play a mix of hip-hop and R&B. Among the musicians who frequently perform urban jazz are Dave Koz, Boney James, Paul Jackson Jr., Bobby Perry, Urban Jazz Coalition, Streetwize, Tha' Hot Club and former NBA player-turned-bassist Wayman Tisdale. Dave Koz ( March 27, 1963) is an American saxophonist. Because they look and sound similar Koz often draws comparisons to another well-known James "Boney James" Oppenheim, (born September 1, 1961 in Lowell Massachusetts) is a saxophonist who popularized Urban jazz (an updated Paul Jackson Jr is a fusion composer arranger producer and guitarist Bobby Perry is an American basketball player who played both forward positions for the University of Kentucky from 2003 to 2007 Wayman Lawrence Tisdale (born June 9, 1964, in Tulsa Oklahoma) is an American former professional Basketball player in the

Urban jazz includes artists such as Michael Lington, Brian Bromberg, David Lanz, Bobby Ricketts, Kim Waters, Daniele Caprelli, Ken Navarro, Walter Beasley, Fattburger, Peter White. Michael Lington (born June 11 1969 is a contemporary jazz saxophonist and recording artist Brian Bromberg (born December 5, 1960 in Tucson, Arizona) is an American Jazz Bassist and Record producer David Lanz (born June 28, 1950 in Seattle Washington) is a Grammy-nominated New Age pianist Bobby Ricketts (born January 30 1959) is an American Saxophonist based in Copenhagen Denmark. Ken Navarro (born June 9, 1953) is an Italian-American contemporary jazz guitarist and composer Walter Beasley is an American Smooth jazz saxophonist His album For Your Pleasure reached #1 on the Billboard Magazine Contemporary Peter White (born 1954 is a Smooth jazz / Jazz fusion Guitarist.

Another nascent trend involves the fusion of smooth jazz and electronica, the results of which are similar to what has, among electronica enthusiasts, come to be called "chill. Electronica includes a wide range of contemporary Electronic music designed for a wide range " Radio stations such as New York's WQCD, SmoothJazzWeb.com Smooth Urban Jazz and DJs such as Rafe Gomez have pioneered the usage of playlists that blend tracks from both genres. Norman Brown is also popular.

Smooth jazz albums generally considered to be genre-defining

 Music samples:

George Benson "Breezin'" (1976)

Title track sample from George Benson's "Breezin'" album.

Problems listening to the file? See media help.

George Benson - "The Masquerade"

Sample track from George Benson's "Breezin'" album (1976).

Problems listening to the file? See media help.

• Tourist in Paradise by The Rippingtons
• Double Vision by Bob James and David Sanborn
• Rise by Herb Alpert
• Morning Dance by Spyro Gyra
• Breezin' by George Benson
• Collaboration' by George Benson and Earl Klugh
• Feels So Good by Chuck Mangione
• Festival by Lee Ritenour
• Fourplay by Fourplay
• Rapture by Anita Baker
• Winelight by Grover Washington, Jr.

Criticism

The term "Smooth jazz" seems to inspire controversy. The Rippingtons are a contemporary or Fusion jazz group that are often considered Smooth jazz. Bob James (born December 25, 1939 in Marshall Missouri) is a two-time Grammy Award -winning Smooth jazz Keyboardist David Sanborn (born July 30, 1945) is an American alto Saxophonist. Herbert "Herb" Alpert (born March 31, 1935) is an American Musician most associated with the group variously known as Herb Alpert Spyro Gyra (ˌspaɪroʊˈdʒaɪrə is an American Jazz fusion band that was originally formed in the mid-1970s in Buffalo New York, USA George Benson (b March 22 1943, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania) is an American musician whose recording career began at the age of twenty-one George Benson (b March 22 1943, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania) is an American musician whose recording career began at the age of twenty-one Earl Klugh (pronounced "Clue" (born September 16, 1954 in Detroit Michigan) is an American Smooth jazz / Jazz Charles Frank "Chuck" Mangione (born November 29, 1940) is an American Flugelhorn player and composer who achieved international success in 1978 Lee Mack "Captain Fingers" Ritenour (born January 11 1952) is an internationally acclaimed guitarist recording artist composer and producer Fourplay is a Contemporary jazz group in the United States. The original members of the group were Bob James (keyboards Lee Ritenour (guitars Anita Baker (born January 26 1958 in Toledo, Ohio, USA) is an eight-time Grammy Award -winning multi-Platinum Rhythm and blues Grover Washington Jr (December 12 1943 &ndash December 17 1999 was an American Jazz-funk / Soul-jazz Saxophonist. Normal jazz purists contend that smooth jazz is, in actuality, not jazz of any kind, regarding it as a misleading marketing buzzword that represents an attempt to hijack the ostensible prestige of jazz in order to sell what is really a form of "elevator music". A buzzword (also fashion word and vogue word) is a vague Idiom, usually a Neologism, that is common to managerial technical administrative They consider the smooth jazz genre uninspired, lacking the depth of expression, harmonic and rhythmic sophistication, and complex improvisation that are hallmarks of traditional jazz; substituting, at times, trite and hackneyed musical phrasing. Recurring accusations charge smooth jazz with offering a watered-down sound whose aim is to appeal to a larger, mainstream, middle class white audience, though, notably, radio demographics have indicated that middle- and upper-middle class African Americans constitute what may be a significant percentage of smooth jazz listenership. The middle class, in colloquial usage consists of those who have some economic independence but not a great deal of social Influence or power. The upper middle class is a sociological concept referring to the Social group constituted by higher-status members of the Middle class. African Americans or Black Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have origins in any of the black populations of Africa Smooth jazz is still played (though decreasingly) on Muzak-style background music systems as well as telephone music on hold services, which many artists try to distance themselves from as they are seen as degrading to music. Although background music was by the end of the 20th Century generally identified with Muzak or Elevator music, there are several stages in the development of this Music on hold (MOH refers to the business practice of playing pre-recorded Music to fill the silence that would be heard by Telephone callers that have been Jazz fusion enthusiasts also point to smooth jazz as having confused many listeners as to the meaning of fusion music, with fusion enthusiasts being some of the most vocal in appreciating a high level of virtuosity, improvisation, extended track lengths and soloing, all of which are rarely present in smooth jazz. Fusion or more specifically jazz fusion or jazz rock, is a Musical genre that merges Jazz with elements of other styles of music particularly

In the United Kingdom, British jazz performer Digby Fairweather, before the launch of UK jazz station theJazz, denounced the change to a smooth jazz format on defunct radio station 102.2 Jazz FM, stating that the owners, GMG Radio were responsible for the "attempted rape and (fortunately abortive) re-definition of the music — is one that no true jazz lover within the boundaries of the M25 will ever find it possible to forget or forgive. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Digby Fairweather (b Rochford, Essex, UK, April 25 1946) is a British Jazz Cornettist. theJazz was a British commercial Jazz digital radio station. The station was run by GCap Media and launched on Christmas Day GMG Radio is the radio division of the Guardian Media Group. The group is based in Laser House Salford Quays in Manchester along with Century Radio "^[8]

Others contend that smooth jazz is indeed a viable jazz subgenre, asserting that attempts to maintain jazz music as a kind of museum exhibit are narrow minded, presenting over a century's continued cross-pollination between jazz and R&B as evidence. A genre (ˈʒɑːnrə also /ˈdʒɑːnrə/ from French "kind" or "sort" from Latin: genus (stem gener-) is a loose set Furthermore, they point out that the music of such widely respected musicians as Pat Metheny, David Sanborn, Marcus Miller, Sting and others are often classified as smooth jazz, and that many of these artists are capable of performing well in multiple styles, although Metheny has been one of the harshest critics of Smooth-jazz, namely in his denouncing of Kenny G. Patrick Bruce Metheny (born August 12, 1954 in Lee's Summit Missouri) is an American Jazz Guitarist and Composer David Sanborn (born July 30, 1945) is an American alto Saxophonist. Marcus Miller (born June 14, 1959 in Brooklyn, New York) is a Grammy Award-winning Jazz musician composer producer and multi-instrumentalist Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner, CBE (born October 2, 1951) better known by his Stage name Sting, is a three time Academy Award This list is split into four separate pages List of styles of music A-F List of styles of music G-M List of styles of music N-R The over-30 audience in the USA enjoys the melodic nature of the medium, the frequent revival of Pop standards and freedom from histrionic vocal lines of this contemporary instrumental music, lacking the intensity and dedication of much of jazz itself. Pop music as a genre features a noticeable rhythmic element catchy melodies and hooks, a mainstream style and conventional structure However, the appeal of Smooth Jazz is developing amongst the late teens and 20s age groups in eastern Asia (especially Japan) and in Europe. In particular, late night coffee bars are playing Smooth Jazz in order to create an enticing late-night non-alcoholic social alternative where conversation is encouraged. No matter what the national language, the genre is invariably referred to by this young, developing and affluent demographic as "Smooth Jazz. "

Radio

United States

Smooth jazz as a radio format has its roots in the construction of what were once called "beautiful music" stations, which generally played fifteen-minute sets consisting of instrumentals bookending a vocal song or two. This article is about Broadcast radio, for other uses see Radio (disambiguation. Beautiful music (sometimes abbreviated as BM, or BM / EZ for beautiful music / easy listening) is a mostly-instrumental music format that

The incubators of the format were specialty shows at night or on the weekends, in places such as Atlanta (WQXI-FM) and San Antonio (KTFM). The first jazz radio station to attempt to reach an audience beyond hardcore jazz fans full-time was New York's WRVR-FM, which was acquired by Sonderling Broadcasting in 1976. Under its new management, WRVR more than tripled its audience by emphasizing artists like George Benson and Pat Metheny that were crossing over to more popular formats. George Benson (b March 22 1943, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania) is an American musician whose recording career began at the age of twenty-one Patrick Bruce Metheny (born August 12, 1954 in Lee's Summit Missouri) is an American Jazz Guitarist and Composer In Detroit, "traditional jazz" station WJZZ (now WDMK) went through a similar transition to a more mainstream sound in the late 1980s. WDMK is an FM radio station in Detroit Michigan broadcasting at 105 Other early pioneers included Russ Davis in Atlanta and "Jazz Flavours" and Art Good at KIFM San Diego with "Lights Out San Diego". KIFM (or Smooth Jazz 981) is a commercial Smooth jazz Radio station in San Diego California broadcasting on 98

After programmer Frank Cody began "The Wave" KTWV in Los Angeles and the simultaneous KIFM (San Diego) and the eclectic KKSF (San Francisco), another wave of "Smooth Jazz" stations banking on "The Wave's" softer sound grew quickly. KTWV is a commercial Radio station located in Los Angeles California, broadcasting to the Los Angeles, Orange County, and Riverside KIFM (or Smooth Jazz 981) is a commercial Smooth jazz Radio station in San Diego California broadcasting on 98 KKSF, known as "KKSF 1037" is a Smooth jazz radio station in San Francisco California. Those included "Breezin' 100. 7" in Milwaukee and KHIH in Denver programmed by consultant Gary Guthrie, WNUA (Chicago) consulted by Cody, WVAE in Detroit, and the re-launch of WQCD (CD101. WMXD is a Clear Channel -owned Urban AC FM Radio station in Detroit, Michigan, United States, that broadcasts on the WRXP is a New York City Radio station located at 1019 FM. The station has an Adult Album Alternative format 9), New York. The format had been deemed 'New Age" originally and radio stations like WNUA Chicago and KNUA Seattle emulated the phrase in their call letters. In the late 80's, research firm Cody/Leach conducted a study for WNUA/Chicago; it was through the verbatim responses from listeners that the name "Smooth Jazz" was identified. WNUA then adopted the slogan "Smooth Rock, Smooth Jazz". Under the direction of General Manager John Gehron, "Smooth Rock" was dropped. It's Cody who made "Smooth Jazz" a household name, giving rise to its nationwide proliferation through the firm Broadcast Architecture, the widely syndicated “The Jazz Show with David Sanborn” and his association with saxophonist Dave Koz. Cody was also responsible for overseeing the launch of the now defunct Satellite Music Network's syndicated "Wave" format.

"Smooth jazz" has gone on to be recognized as a successful radio format, first emerging in name in the mid- to late-1980s (often, they would be transitioned from existing "new age" stations) and subsequently spreading into most radio markets within the United States and many without. New Age music is peaceful Music of various styles which is intended to create inspiration relaxation and positive feelings often used by listeners for Yoga, Currently prominent smooth jazz stations include San Diego's KIFM, Miami's WLVE-FM, Seattle's KWJZ, Denver's KJCD, Los Angeles' KTWV, Chicago's WNUA, Detroit's WVMV, and New York's WQCD (which experimented with a Chill Music-based format for a time but soon returned to its focus on Smooth Jazz). KIFM (or Smooth Jazz 981) is a commercial Smooth jazz Radio station in San Diego California broadcasting on 98 KWJZ (989 FM) known by the on-air brand 989 KWJZ, is a Smooth jazz Radio station based in Seattle Washington. KKFN-FM (1043 FM, "1043 The Fan" is a Sports radio station serving the Denver - Boulder area KTWV is a commercial Radio station located in Los Angeles California, broadcasting to the Los Angeles, Orange County, and Riverside WNUA (955 MHz is a Smooth jazz radio station located in Chicago Illinois, owned and operated by Clear Channel Communications. WVMV, known on-air as " Smooth Jazz V987" is an FM radio station serving the Metropolitan Detroit area in Southeastern Michigan. WRXP is a New York City Radio station located at 1019 FM. The station has an Adult Album Alternative format On February 5, 2008, WQCD management announced a change to a rock format under the WRXP call letters. WRXP is a New York City Radio station located at 1019 FM. The station has an Adult Album Alternative format The station cited a declining audience for smooth jazz. At that time, the smooth jazz format moved to the station's HD2 subcarrier.

The majority of major-market smooth-jazz radio stations emphasize soft vocals, including jazz-tinged R&B performers like Luther Vandross, Anita Baker, Regina Belle and Sade, neo-soul artists like India.Arie, Brian McKnight and Kem, adult contemporary artists such as Celine Dion, Norah Jones, Whitney Houston, and Mariah Carey, and Motown and classic soul performers such as Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, and Gladys Knight. Luther Ronzoni Vandross ( April 20 1951 – July 1 2005) was an American R&B and soul Singer-songwriter Anita Baker (born January 26 1958 in Toledo, Ohio, USA) is an eight-time Grammy Award -winning multi-Platinum Rhythm and blues Regina Belle (born July 17, 1963) is a Grammy award winning Singer who sings Adult contemporary, Quiet storm, See also Sade (band Helen Folasade Adu, OBE, (born 16 January 1959 better known as Sade (pronounced "shah-day" ʃɑːˈdeɪ is a This article is about the musical genre For the Yael Naim song see New Soul. IndiaArie (born India Arie Simpson on October 3 1975) is an American soul, R&B, and Neo soul Singer-songwriter Brian McKnight (born June 5 1969) is a Grammy-nominated American Singer, Songwriter, arranger producer, pop Céline Marie Claudette Dion ( OC OQ (born March 30 1968 in Charlemagne Quebec) is a Canadian pop Singer Norah Jones (born Geethali Norah Jones Shankar on March 30 1979) is an American Singer-songwriter, Pianist, Keyboardist Whitney Elizabeth Houston' (born August 9 1963 is an American Singer-songwriter, Actress, Film producer, Arranger and former Marvin Pentz Gay Jr, known as Marvin Gaye ( April 2, 1939 – April 1, 1984) was an American Singer-songwriter The Temptations (sometimes abbreviated as The Temps or The Tempts) are a Grammy -winning vocal group that achieved fame as one of the most successful Gladys Maria Knight, "The Empress of Soul" (born May 28, 1944) is a seven-time Grammy Award -winning American Some smooth jazz stations also play some pop standards by performers such as Ray Charles and Peggy Lee, as well as new recordings of standards by the likes of Michael Buble, Diana Krall, and Renee Olstead. Traditional pop or Classic pop or Standards music denotes in general Western (and particularly American popular music that either wholly predates the advent of Ray Charles Robinson ( September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) known by his Stage name Ray Charles, was an American Peggy Lee ( May 26, 1920 – January 21, 2002) was an American Jazz and popular music singer and Songwriter Michael Steven Bublé (ˈbuːbleɪ or boo-BLAY (born 9 September, 1975) is a Canadian Big band singer and Actor. Diana Jean Krall, OC, OBC (born November 16, 1964) is a Canadian Jazz Pianist and Singer. Renee Olstead (born Rebecca Renee Olstead, June 18, 1989) is an American Actress and Singer. WOEZ-FM in Knoxville, TN, is one example of a smooth jazz/adult standards hybrid. Adult Standards is a North American Radio format heard primarily on AM or class A FM stations For the most part, today's smooth-jazz stations give little airplay to the vocalists originally featured as part of the "new age" format, such as Enya and Basia, although there are exceptions, such as SmoothJazzWeb.com, XM Satellite Radio's smooth-jazz channel, called "Watercolors," WNJL. Enya (born Eithne Patricia Ní Bhraonáin on May 17 1961, Gaoth Dobhair, County Donegal, Ireland, sometimes presented in Watercolors is a channel on the XM Satellite Radio network that specializes in playing Smooth Jazz. com Radio, and the smooth-jazz format delivered to radio stations via satellite by the Jones Radio Network. Among the stations carrying programming from the Jones Radio Network include WCIN-AM in Cincinnati; WKYL-FM in the Lexington, Kentucky market; WASJ-FM in Panama City Beach, Florida; KMGK-FM in Glenwood, Minnesota; and WJZL-FM in Lansing, Michigan.

As of the Fall of 2007, the Smooth Jazz radio format continues to grow and thrive as one of radio's longest running formats. Several radio formats like "Jammin Oldies", "Arrow", "Jack" and "Movin" have come and gone in many cities where smooth jazz stations continue to be successful. In January, Broadcast Architecture launched the Smooth Jazz Network, featuring smooth jazz artists Dave Koz, Kenny G, Norman Brown, Brian Culbertson, Paul Hardcastle and Ramsey Lewis as on-air hosts. So far the network has spread to 25 markets across the US and brand new stations have launched utilizing the network in Norfolk, Milwaukee, Oklahoma City and Albuquerque.

Currently there are more than 50 commercial radio stations across the US playing smooth jazz. However, the format has been on a decline in popularity, and in a number of media markets, this format is no longer available over-the-air. This includes New York City, the number-one market in America, where WQCD became WRXP, an album rock station, on February 5, 2008. The City of New York WRXP is a New York City Radio station located at 1019 FM. The station has an Adult Album Alternative format Album-oriented rock (sometimes referred to as Adult-oriented rock or as West Coast Rock) abbreviated AOR and originally called album-oriented radio Events 1576 - Henry of Navarre converts to Roman Catholicism in order to ensure his right to the throne of France. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common It has also been removed recently from the air in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex (KOAI is now rhythmic adult contemporary KMVK), the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul (KJZI is now talk station KTLK-FM), Indianapolis (WYJZ is now Top 40 WNOU) and Baltimore (WSMJ is now modern rock station WCHH). The Dallas – Fort Worth – Arlington metropolitan area, a title designated by the U Rhythmic adult contemporary is a format used on stations in the United States and Canada, similar to Rhythmic top 40 radio KMVK (1075 FM, " MOViN' 1075 " is a Rhythmic Adult Contemporary music formatted Radio station serving the Dallas / Saint Paul ( abbreviated St Paul) is the capital and second most populous city in the U KTLK-FM (1003 FM, "1003 K-Talk" is a news/talk Radio station located in the Twin Cities area WNOU is a Contemporary Hit Radio formatted broadcast Radio station licensed to Speedway Indiana, serving the Indianapolis Metro WCHH (1043 FM is a radio station located in Baltimore Maryland. ^[9]

Saxophonist Dave Koz is now the most listened to Smooth Jazz host in the US (over 2. 5 millions listeners weekly) with his daily Smooth Jazz Network (created and distributed by Broadcast Architecture) afternoon show in over 20 cities across the US including; KKSF San Francisco, KYOT Phoenix, WJJZ Philadelphia, WVMV Detroit, KNIK Anchorage, WLVE Miami and WNUA in Chicago. The smooth jazz network's morning drive is hosted by Jazz Legend Ramsey Lewis and boasts more that 1. 5 million weekly listeners in 18 markets including; WNUA Chicago, KKSF San Francisco, WJJZ Philadelphia and WLVE Miami. Other weekly syndicated smooth jazz radio shows include the long running Art Good's JazzTrax, "Chill" with saxophonist Mindi Abair, Ramsey Lewis' "Legends Of Jazz and the weekly two-hour Dave Koz Radio Show. In the summer of 2007, Broadcast Architecture launched the format's first ever national countdown show, the "Smooth Jazz Top 20 Countdown with Allen Kepler" SmoothJazzTop20.com. The Smooth Jazz Top 20 now airs in more than 20 radio stations including; WNUA Chicago, KKSF San Francisco, KTWV Los Angeles, WSJT Tampa, WLVE Miami and WMJX in Trinidad.

And at least one non-commercial FM station, the community-based WGDR in Plainfield, Vermont. WGDR (911 FM) is a Radio station licensed to Plainfield Vermont, USA the station serves the Vermont college area , broadcasts a weekly "Quiet Storm" program that's a mix of smooth jazz and soft R&B, presented in "Triple-A" (Album Adult Alternative) style, with a strong emphasis on "B" and "C" album tracks that most commercial smooth jazz stations often ignore. Hosted by Skeeter Sanders, "The Quiet Storm" is the only radio program of its kind in northern New England.

International

New and innovative material from the UK, Europe and Australia has largely failed to gain airplay in the US. Fortunately, deep-pocketed and usually government-funded radio organisations in the UK, Europe and Australia, coupled with technical developments in the digital radio field, have led to the launch of a number of smooth jazz radio stations in these markets and not surprisingly, their playlists are substantially more diverse than in the US.

In the UK however, the only radio station that regularly played smooth jazz was 102.2 Jazz FM in London and 100.4 Jazz FM in the North West. Upon takeover by the Guardian Media Group in 2003, the station started to create playlists predominantly consisting of easy listening soul and pop. Finally, in March 2004 in the North West and in June 2005 in London, the station changed its name to Smooth FM, and dropped smooth jazz from its playlists altogether. At the same time, GMG launched jazzfm.com in some parts of the UK which after closing in some areas, still broadcasts in West Central Scotland on DAB today. Greater Glasgow is the Conurbation that includes and surrounds the city of Glasgow in the west of Scotland. Digital Audio Broadcasting ( DAB) also known as Eureka 147, is a Digital radio technology for Broadcasting Radio stations used in

Streaming on the Web

Smooth jazz is in included in a number of internet streaming music channels, including SKY.fm, Smoothjazz.com, Smooth Jazz and More on Live365, and Smooth Jazz All Sax Show

Major smooth jazz-producing record labels

• GRP
• Heads Up
• Higher Octave
• Instinct Records
• Narada Productions
• Native Language
• Peak Records
• Windham Hill
• NuGroove
• A&M
• Narada
• Blue Note — specializes in 'traditional jazz', although several of its artists, most notably Norah Jones, Anita Baker, and Van Morrison, have garnered heavy airplay on Smooth Jazz radio. History Previously the duo had formed Grusin/Rosen Productions as a freelance production team in 1976 making records for labels such as RCA Blue Note and CTI with artists like Higher Octave is a sub-label imprint of Narada Productions which is part of EMI 's Blue Note Records label group located in New York Instinct Records is a New York City Electronic music Record label that first gained prominence in 1990. Narada is a Record label formed 1983 as an independent New Age music label Native Language Music was started as an independent contemporary jazz Record label back in 1996 when Theo Bishop and Joe Sherbanee put together the beginnings Peak Records is a Record label that was co-founded by The Rippingtons leader and guitarist Russ Freeman & Andi Howard in 1994. Windham Hill Records was an Independent record label, founded in 1976 by Guitarist and Carpenter William Ackerman and his then-wife The legacy label Nu Groove Records was re launched after an almost 10 year hiatus A&M Records is an American Record label owned by Universal Music Group which operates through the Interscope-Geffen-A&M division Narada is a Record label formed 1983 as an independent New Age music label Norah Jones (born Geethali Norah Jones Shankar on March 30 1979) is an American Singer-songwriter, Pianist, Keyboardist Anita Baker (born January 26 1958 in Toledo, Ohio, USA) is an eight-time Grammy Award -winning multi-Platinum Rhythm and blues George Ivan Morrison OBE (generally known as Van Morrison) (born 31 August 1945 is a Grammy Award -winning Northern Irish Singer,

See also

• Jazz
• List of smooth jazz performers
• Category:Smooth jazz albums
• Category:Smooth jazz
• Quiet Storm
• Sophisti-pop

References