Smooth Jazz
Also known as Contemporary jazz, adult contemporary jazz
A polished crossover jazz style that emerged from fusion and jazz-pop, smooth jazz found its broadest audience through radio-ready melodies, glossy production, and major crossover figures such as Grover Washington, Jr., George Benson, and Kenny G.
Origins and context
The style emerged from late-1970s American jazz fusion, jazz-pop, and R&B crossover scenes, then found a wider audience through radio and crossover artists in the 1980s and 1990s.
The sound
Characteristics
- Saxophone
- Guitar
- Keyboards
- Synthesizers
- Bass
- Light funk grooves
How to listen
Mood
- Relaxed, glossy, and melodic; good for evening listening or background flow without feeling anonymous.
History
Smooth jazz grew out of fusion and jazz-pop, with roots in the polished side of late-1970s jazz that put memorable melodies and streamlined production ahead of bravura soloing. AllMusic describes it as an outgrowth of fusion, and also notes that Kenny G’s success helped give rise to the smooth jazz radio format in the 1990s. The style’s public face was shaped by artists who could move between jazz, R&B, and pop without losing a sense of sheen or ease. Grover Washington, Jr. brought an R&B-leaning, influential saxophone voice into the conversation, George Benson bridged straight-ahead jazz, smooth jazz, and contemporary R&B, and Kenny G became the genre’s best-known crossover star.
Notable artists
- GWGrover Washington, Jr.
- KGKenny G
- GBGeorge Benson
- DKDave Koz
Essential listening
- 1
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Explore connected genres
Sources and further reading
- allmusic.com
Smooth jazz is an outgrowth of fusion that emphasizes polished production, grooves, and limited improvisation.
- allmusic.com
Kenny G’s success helped give rise to the smooth jazz radio format in the 1990s.
- Spotify
Grover Washington, Jr. was a highly influential saxophonist with roots in R&B and soul-jazz.
- allmusic.com
George Benson crossed between straight-ahead jazz, smooth jazz, and contemporary R&B.
- allmusic.com
Dave Koz is a contemporary jazz saxophonist associated with smooth jazz.
- Smooth Jazz genre overview
- Smooth Jazz genre overview