Is smooth jazz really jazz?
 

Is smooth jazz a valid part of the jazz tradition?

or is not, is it a non-jazz style?

or something else?

Well it's supposed to be Jazz, but I think there's a lot of jazz that's not really jazz. Say... ST. Germain, Jamie Cullum, Norah Jones...

And there's a Jazz channel and a jazz festival in the netherlands, they both tend to have a lack of what I would call jazz and a lot of R&B.

I'd say it's a valid part of Jazz. It's built on the same principles, just geared an a specific way to meet a particular audience.

To me this is smooth jazz. I think this has been called that anyway..and yes, it's the real shit

Soft Pedal Blues by Stanley Turrentine

that's jazz. and it's smoooth.

I think what fubar means is probably more like acid jazz

Most stuff labeled smooth Jazz isn't Jazz but instrumental Pop music for example Kenny G is not Jazz.

Most "smooth jazz" isn't as interesting as bebop or post-bop (or even big-band), to me.
It's reminiscent of elevator music, not usually offensive or memorable.

Pretty much what Flo-rida is to rap. It's jazz, often just a less cerebral, less creative, less soulful version.

I haven't heard much,but some of it seems like pop music with a jazz feel.

Only artist I know that can be labeled as smooth jazz is Grover Washington, Jr. I don't know whether or not it's "proper" jazz, but some of the descriptions above do fit him (or at least his album Winelight); a more pop-ish version of jazz.