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-   -   Smooth Jazz (https://www.musicbanter.com/jazz-blues/78615-smooth-jazz.html)

Necromancer 08-27-2014 10:49 AM

Smooth Jazz
 
Smooth Jazz is what I prefer listening to on the radio. Although I'm not really familiar with very many of the more popular artist in this category. If there are any suggestions, it would be appreciated.

I'm currently listening to David Sanborn, an American alto saxophonist.
One of the most influential saxophonist on pop, R&B, and crossover players of the past 20 years.
Sanborn was a session musician notably on David Bowie's Young Americans in 1975.
Concrete Boogie is one of my favorite singles by Sanborn.

Smooth Listening...:D

Plankton 08-27-2014 11:15 AM

I used to listen to WNUA from the local area here, and was really into Wayman Tisdale. I liked his style quite a bit, and he was also in the NBA (huh, go figure). Chick Korea is another one, especially his stuff with Frank Gambale.



I always liked this one too (with Dave Stewart from the Eurythmics):


dwill123 08-27-2014 04:35 PM

I'm a big fan of "smooth jazz". Although I try to venture away from the usual suspects of the genre like Koz, Whalum, Sanborn, etc. These guys get too much air play and thus when you say "smooth jazz" their music is what most think of. My favorites are The Rippingtons, Chieli Minucci & Special EFX, Jeff Kashiwa and many others.






Plankton 08-28-2014 07:33 AM

^^Love the Rippingtons!

Dammit! I can't find Earthbound on yootoob.

Necromancer 08-28-2014 07:53 AM

I basically like all the artist mentioned so far. Chili Minucci & Speacil EFX, The Rippingtons, David A Stewart vs Candy Dulfer, etc.

I personally like saxophonist and other horn section lead instrumentalist verses lead guitar players with smooth jazz. I seem to be a little more picky when it comes to guitar players for some reason. A lot of these artist have outstanding bass players and bass lines. That is probably what catches my attention first and foremost.

Thanks guys, keep the suggestions coming.

dwill123 08-28-2014 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Necromancer (Post 1482988)
I basically like all the artist mentioned so far. Chili Minucci & Speacil EFX, The Rippingtons, David A Stewart vs Candy Dulfer, etc.

I personally like saxophonist and other horn section lead instrumentalist verses lead guitar players with smooth jazz. I seem to be a little more picky when it comes to guitar players for some reason. A lot of these artist have outstanding bass players and bass lines. That is probably what catches my attention first and foremost.

Thanks guys, keep the suggestions coming.

Sax you say . . .




Hades, Lord of the Dead 09-06-2014 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Necromancer (Post 1482988)
A lot of these artist have outstanding bass players and bass lines. That is probably what catches my attention first and foremost.

Same here. It's just what sticks to me the fastest, you know?

That being said, keep the suggestions coming. I've been meaning to check more into smooth jazz lately myself and I'm liking what I've heard so far.

Plankton 09-06-2014 09:54 AM

Here's one from Candy Dulfer with a bit of everything in it. Great guitar solo too.


locafore 11-29-2014 09:40 AM

Does Kenny G & Dave Koz go into this category?

Chula Vista 11-29-2014 12:10 PM

Kenny G definitely does. Check out this for some nice guitar centric smooth jazz.

http://991.com/NewGallery/Larry-Carl...alk-495104.jpg


Pinkmoon 02-08-2015 03:37 PM

Sade is one of my favorites! Your Love Is King is one I like a lot!

kazimmerle 02-11-2015 07:17 AM

In Agreement
 
David Sanborn creates a driving tone that causes feelings of confidence and understanding in a way that unforgettable, in the movement and moment of his recordings. For me he is comparable to the best of popular musicians of our days. Thanks for giving some added information about his roots, in the jazz industry.

Quality Cucumber 02-17-2015 12:40 AM

My friend recently showed me a Polish band called String Connection.

Cantabile in H-mol


Bizzaramente


The go-to music for mansion selling. Dat bar of 12 at 1:02.

This is a remix of some of Jeremy Soule's music from Secret of Evermore, which has a sick OST:


Will Wayne 02-22-2015 07:02 AM

Wes Montgomery is one of my favs, you should check him out!

Chula Vista 02-22-2015 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinkmoon (Post 1549009)
Sade is one of my favorites! Your Love Is King is one I like a lot!

Love Sade. This is a great DVD to jam along to.


Pinkmoon 03-06-2015 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chula Vista (Post 1555226)
Love Sade. This is a great DVD to jam along to.


True! That is great!! I've always loved her.

Do you like Diana Krall?? I'm listening to: I Miss You So, and Love Letters.

dwill123 03-15-2015 10:22 AM

Fourplay


dwill123 03-22-2015 10:30 AM

What, not one mention of David Benoit????


rooster241 03-26-2015 01:37 AM

"Smooth Jazz" is a misnomer. That is to say, Smooth Jazz is NOT Jazz. It's a form of Pop music. The use of a so called "Jazz instrument" in a song doesn't make that song "Jazz".

rooster

gsrox 04-15-2015 06:19 PM

Candy Dulfer's work on "Lily Was Here" had ample sizzle. Of course having Dave Stewart on guitar never hurts.

Janszoon 04-16-2015 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rooster241 (Post 1569650)
"Smooth Jazz" is a misnomer. That is to say, Smooth Jazz is NOT Jazz. It's a form of Pop music. The use of a so called "Jazz instrument" in a song doesn't make that song "Jazz".

rooster

For the record, a lot of jazz historically has been pop music.

dwill123 05-20-2015 07:10 PM


rooster241 05-28-2015 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon (Post 1577766)
For the record, a lot of jazz historically has been pop music.

And I counter that many forms of music have been "Pop" Music in that they have been "pop"ular. It's called "Pop" Music because it's Popular.

I'm perfectly willing to be swayed in my opinion and definition of "smooth jazz" when someone can show me where the polyrhythms, syncopated rhythms, improvisation, group interaction and indeed, creativity are in "smooth jazz".

You see, "smooth jazz" is a noun. "Jazz" is a verb. Jazz doesn't "BE" jazz "DOES". jazz is a feeling. jazz is movement. it's alive and active.

"smooth jazz" just kind of lays there. In addition, I suggest that all "smooth jazz" kind of sounds the same.

Let's take the Jazz tune, "Oleo" for an example. Sonny Rollins wrote it in 1954 (based on the chord progressions of George Gershwin's "I Got Rhythm") and it's become a standard in the jazz canon. One might think a warhorse like "Oleo" must have had little variation over the years. In fact, because of improvisation, "Oleo" has endured. Even in the case of Miles Davis' recordings of the tune (of which there are more than several), each saxophonist is able to make it his own. For argument's sake, let's look at three recordings by Davis' bands of the song in question. Sonny Rollins on the "Bag's Groove" album, John Coltrane on the Relaxin'" album and Hank Mobley on the "Live At The Nighthawk" album. All three recordings begin in basically the same way with the statement of the theme (section "A"). This is followed by the Improvisational section (Section "B"). In each case the saxophonist in question is required to build their solo on a known chord structure which they do, but in very different ways. Rollins, Coltrane and Mobley all approach the song differently and it's possible to tell one's playing from another's. Rollins takes a fairly laid back solo with as much attention paid to the silences between the notes as to the notes themselves. Mobley alternates between bursts of many notes and more drawn out breaths. Coltrane plays it perhaps more frenetically over the course of his solo. The same song, given life and fire in different ways and yet it remains the same song.

I just don't see "smooth jazz" having the same kind of vibrancy and "guts".

Where's the Swing Feeling? Where's the emotion? Where's the life?

In summation, it should be apparent that, at best, "smooth jazz" should be called "easy listening pop" or some such. it is certainly not Jazz.


I eagerly await your reply


rooster241

rooster241 06-04-2015 06:37 PM

I'm a bit surprised (and disappointed) that no one has taken up the challenge. It speaks volumes about "smooth jazz" and the style's fans, I guess.

So it goes...


rooster

dwill123 06-05-2015 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rooster241 (Post 1595261)
I suggest that all "smooth jazz" kind of sounds the same.

I just don't see "smooth jazz" having the same kind of vibrancy and "guts".

Where's the Swing Feeling? Where's the emotion? Where's the life?

it should be called "easy listening pop"

I eagerly await your reply

Here's my reply:


rooster241 06-06-2015 10:32 AM

Well...I had kind of hoped for a dialogue, and not just a youtube clip. That doesn't answer any of my concerns about the style. Tell me what makes you think that that song is anything but a pop song with a horn section. I have to assume (because, you didn't see fit to explain it...you know...in words) that you're confusing an uptempo beat for "guts vibrancy and life.

on a side note, I swear, the last time I was on hold with my doctor's office there was a tape loop of that very song playing or something extremely similar. (which now that I think of kind of proves my point about sameness)


rooster

Chula Vista 06-06-2015 10:46 AM

This fits the smooth jazz label for me.


Necromancer 06-06-2015 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rooster241 (Post 1599345)
Well...I had kind of hoped for a dialogue, and not just a youtube clip. That doesn't answer any of my concerns about the style. Tell me what makes you think that that song is anything but a pop song with a horn section. I have to assume (because, you didn't see fit to explain it...you know...in words) that you're confusing an uptempo beat for "guts vibrancy and life.

on a side note, I swear, the last time I was on hold with my doctor's office there was a tape loop of that very song playing or something extremely similar. (which now that I think of kind of proves my point about sameness)


rooster

I understand your point concerning the difference between smooth jazz and traditional free jazz.
Of course smooth jazz contains elements of pop music.
Rock and roll and metal music can also be classified in the mainstream, as pop music as well.
Jazz fusion is also more appealing to me personally than most of the traditional freestyle jazz also.

when I'm listening to the radio while driving in the car, or whenever the mood strikes me. Its mostly smooth jazz I listen to, in comparison to other stations.
I will agree with you that a lot of smooth jazz songs are pop orientated. but at the same time, a lot of smooth jazz atist and their music is outstanding jazz orientated music that relaxes the soul and mind for me.

rooster241 06-06-2015 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Necromancer (Post 1599358)
I understand your point concerning the difference between smooth jazz and traditional free jazz.
Of course smooth jazz contains elements of pop music.
Rock and roll and metal music can also be classified in the mainstream, as pop music as well.
Jazz fusion is also more appealing to me personally than most of the traditional freestyle jazz also.

when I'm listening to the radio while driving in the car, or whenever the mood strikes me. Its mostly smooth jazz I listen to, in comparison to other stations.
I will agree with you that a lot of smooth jazz songs are pop orientated. but at the same time, a lot of smooth jazz atist and their music is outstanding jazz orientated music that relaxes the soul and mind for me.



I thank you, Necromancer, for taking the time to Actually write something and not just respond with a Video Clip.

You are correct that "Rock & Roll" and "Metal" (among others) can be classified as "Pop" music, but i think there is a bit of stylistic difference between those types and "smooth jazz" that separates them both as "pop". that is to say, while both "Rock a & Roll" and "smooth jazz" can be pop, you wouldn't put "metal" and 'smooth jazz" into the same pop category, would you?

I'm not sure what you mean by "traditional free jazz" and "traditional freestyle jazz".

The "Jazz Fusion" of the 1970's is probably the closest thing to "smooth jazz" in the "Jazz" world. "smooth jazz" is "pop music" for the reasons I listed above, a decided lack of polyrhythms, rhythmic syncopation, improvisation, group interaction and creativity.


In summation, I would like to point out that I never said that people shouldn't like or listen to smooth jazz if that's what they want. My main point in all this has been and remains that smooth jazz is a misnomer and that a discussion of it would be better served in a pop thread as it really doesn't belong in a thread dedicated to Jazz and Blues

rooster

cazpfitl 07-26-2015 02:04 PM

I recommend you something of Eric Marienthal, its a great saxophonist, i met him in a 'Chick Corea's Electric Band Live' Video'.

dwill123 07-26-2015 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cazpfitl (Post 1619149)
I recommend you something of Eric Marienthal, its a great saxophonist, i met him in a 'Chick Corea's Electric Band Live' Video'.

I'd suggest music from the Rippingtons when Marienthal was in that group. Such as:


cazpfitl 07-27-2015 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwill123 (Post 1619207)
I'd suggest music from the Rippingtons when Marienthal was in that group. Such as:


:yeah:

Frownland 07-27-2015 01:42 PM

Anyone got any smooth jazz that's exciting or interesting?

dwill123 07-27-2015 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frownland (Post 1619522)
Anyone got any smooth jazz that's exciting or interesting?

You'll have to define "exciting" or "interesting" in terms of what's already been posted. And why it's not "exciting" or "interesting".

Frownland 07-27-2015 04:20 PM

Or you could point me to something that you think qualifies. Most of the smooth jazz I've listened to is very dull and lifeless, I'd rather not have to go through all the songs in the thread to explain what I mean by that.

dwill123 07-27-2015 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frownland (Post 1619606)
Or you could point me to something that you think qualifies. Most of the smooth jazz I've listened to is very dull and lifeless, I'd rather not have to go through all the songs in the thread to explain what I mean by that.

I've posted this before. This is a clip from their 25th anniversary tour. I don't think this is lifeless. The song is "Cruise Control" from the album "Butterfly". Special EFX is one of my favorites (along with others). It gives you a taste.


workinsteamin 06-23-2016 09:47 AM

Before it was called "Smooth Jazz" we used to call it "Fuzak".

grindy 06-23-2016 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by workinsteamin (Post 1713087)
Before it was called "Smooth Jazz" we used to call it "Fuzak".

Not the same thing.

OccultHawk 06-23-2016 02:52 PM

Never heard the term but urban dictionary says:

""Fuzak" is a portmanteau of "fusion", short for "jazz-rock fusion", used as synecdoche for "smooth jazz", a style of music known for its blandness, and "muzak", a genericized trademark referring to "elevator music"."

grindy 06-23-2016 02:59 PM

Smooth jazz doesn't have to be fusion-based though.
Although of course at that level of blandness everything sounds kinda the same.


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