SMOOTH JAZZ FAVORITES

I became interested in smooth jazz when I was a teenager after listening to classics like Cannonball Adderly with Mercy, Mercy, Mercy, Sonny Rollins' Wade in the Water and the Ramsey Lewis Trio's In Crowd. Many 1960s Motown artists were the precursors of the Smooth Jazz movement. Smooth Jazz History During the 1970's, Chuck Mangione's Feels So Good was great and in the 1980's, I listened to Bob James quite often. Of course, as one grows older, instrumental versions of popular songs bring back great memories, and since the heart rates slows as one grows older, people tend to listen to music that is softer and slower as they age. Finally, in the 1990's, I was hooked. Now, all I listen to at home, in the car and at work is RadioKoz.com, WJZL (92.7 in Lansing) and WVMV (98.7) in Farmington Hills, MI. I'm addicted!!! Here are 100 of so of my current favorite artists (seen live if large):

Saxophone
Keyboard/Piano

Trumpet

Guitar

Vocal

Group

Abair, Mindi

Benoit, David

Adams, Greg

Antoine, Marc

Austin, Patti

3rd Force

Albright, Gerald

Bernhardt, Warren

Albert, Herb

Benson, George

Baker, Anita

Bofill, Angela

Acoustic Alchemy

Average White Band

Barbieri, Gato

Brickman, Jim

Botti, Chris

Bowman, Tim

Braxton Brothers

Crusaders

Beasley, Walter

Bugnon, Alex

Braun, Rick

Bromberg, Brian(Bass)

Bryson, Peabo

Down to the Bone

Cole, Steve

Corea, Chick

Mangione, Chuck

Brown, Norman

Downing, Will

Fattburger

Dulfer, Candy

Culbertson, Brian

Butler, Jonathan

Kem

Isley Brothers

Fourplay: Bob James, Larry Carlton, Nathan East and Harvey Mason

Elliot, Richard

Duke, George

Carlton, Larry

Jarreau, Al

Hiroshima

G, Kenny

Hancock, Herbie

Hardcastle, Paul

Chaquico, Craig

Khan, Chaka

Incognito

Groove, Euge

Heintz, Tim

Colionne, Nick

Maysa

Osborne, Jeffrey

Pieces of a Dream

Harp, Everette

James, Bob

Cooling, Joyce

Russell, Brenda

The Rippingtons

Hill, Warren

Jones, Quincy

Coryell, Larry

Sade

Spyro Gyra

James, Boney

Karukas, Greg

Geissman, Grant

Vandross, Luther

Tower of Power

Kashiwa, Jeff

Lewis, Ramsey

Golub, Jeff

Urban Nights: Ramsey Lewis, Gerald Albright, Najee, Jonathan Butler and Sonny Emory

Klemmer, John

Lorber, Jeff

Jackson, Paul Jr.

Jordan, Ronnie
Yellowjackets

Koz, Dave

Matsui, Keiko

Klugh, Earl

Laws, Ronnie

McDonald, Michael

Loeb, Chuck

Lington, Michael

Soul Ballet (Kelly, Rick RK)

Minucci, Chieli

Marienthal, Eric

Yanni

Navarro, Ken

Meadows, Marion

Drums

Nils

Najee

Gota

Oliver, Steve

Praful

Ritenour, Lee

Rangell, Nelson

Standring, Chris

Sanborn, David

Tisdale, Waymon(Bass)

Scott, Tom (L.A. Express)

Veasley, Gerald

Snitzer, Andy

White, Peter

Sommers, Jimmy

Flute

Taylor, Paul

Zonjic, Alexander

Tesh, John

Torres, Nestor

Waters, Kim

Violin

Whalum, Kirk

Ponty, Jean-Luc

Daemyon, Jerald

Special Smooth Jazz Events: 2009-2010

Detroit Princess Cruises

Berks Jazz Fest March 19-28, 2010 Reading, PA with Chris Botti, Rick Braun & Richard Elliot, Brian Bromberg, Paul Brown, Kenny Rankin, Marc Antoine, Eric Darius, Gerald Veasley, Nick Colionne, Brian Simpson, Brian Culbertson, Candy Dulfer, Jason Miles, Euge Groove, Alex Bugnon, Chuck Loeb, Eric Marienthal, Tom Scott, JoeMcBride, etc.

Earl Klugh Weekend of Jazz March 26-28, 2009 at Colorado Springs with Patti Austin, Bob James, Syro Gyra, Jessy J, Rick Braun, Richard Elliot and Nelson Rangell

Capital Jazz Super Cruise III October 10-17, 2009 with Kem, David Sanborn, Rick Braun, Jonathan Butler, Brian Culbertson, Joe Sample, Patti Austin, Najee, Candy Dulfer, War, Mike Phillips-Royal Caribbean Cruises

Dave Koz's Smooth Jazz Cruise January 17-24, 2010 with: Dave Koz, Gerald Albright, Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, Alonzo Bodden, Tom Braxton, Jeff Golub, Eric Darius, Andre Delano, Earl Klugh, Stanley Jordan, Euge Groove, Keiko Matsui, Ledisi, Peter White, Brian Simpson, Jake Shimabukuro, Phil Perry-Holland Cruises

The Jazz Cruise November 8-15, 2009-Holland Cruises

Nick Colionne's All-Star Cruise January February , 2010 with Norman Brown, Nick Colionne, Boney James, Larry Carlton, Marion Meadows, Greg Adams, Acoustic Alchemy, Mindy Abair, Greg Adams, Marion Meadows, Shilts, Heather Hadley, Steve Cole, Steve Oliver, Althea Rene, Alan Hewitt, Chieli Minuci, Michael Lington, etc. (Miami to Bahamas)-Celebrity Cruises

Playboy Jazz Cruise January 25-February 1, 2009 with Marcus Miller, Herbie Hancock, Roy Hargrove, Dianne Reeves, James Moody, Poncho Sanchez, Keb' Mo', Eldar, Alonzo Bodden, Roberta Gambarini, James Carter, etc. (Fort Lauderdale to the West Indies to the Bahamas)

Jim Brickman Ultimate Cruise July 24-31, 2010 Alaska

Florida Smooth Jazz Cruise February 13-16, 2009 with Jeff Kashiwa, The Rippingtons with Russ Freeman, Paul Taylor (Port Canaveral to the Bahamas)

Smooth Jazz Cruise 2011 January 9-16 and 16-23 on Holland America's Noordam

Michigan Smooth Jazz Concert Schedule 2009

May 24-Kim Waters/Kenny Latimore/Maysa at Seldom Blues

June 12-Smooth Jazz Fest at Chene Park: Michael Lington, Marion Meadows, Jonathan Butler, Paul Taylor

June 13-Smooth Jazz Fest at Chene Park: Brian McKnight, Euge Groove, Jessy J, Jeff Golub, Jeff Lorber

June 14-Smooth Jazz Fest at Chene Park: Boney James

June 18-Tower of Power at Michigan Theatre

June 25-Will Downing at Chene Park

July 8-Najee/Pieces of a Dream at Chene Park

July 15-Norman Brown at Chene Park

July 22-Earl Klugh at Chene Park

July 29-Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum at Chene Park

August 1 and 2-13th Trenton Jazz Festival

August 6-Dave Koz, Brian Culbertson, Peabo Bryson at Motor City Casino

August 6-Temptations and 4 Tops at DTE

August 8 and 9: 9th Monroe River Raisin Jazz Festival: Peter White, Rick Braun, Chuck Mangione, David Benoit, Alexander Zonjic, Nelson Rangell, etc.

August 23: Kenny G at DTE

September 12: Patrick Yandall at @ The State Theater Bay City, MI
913 Washington Ave., Bay City, Michigan 48706
Cost: $20.00

January 15, 2010: Chris Botti at Orchestra Hall

Links to Smooth Jazz:

Jazz Chart

Radio Wave Chart

Smooth Jazz Artists

Smooth Jazz News

Smooth Jazz Vibes Links

Smooth Jazz Links

SmoothJazzNow.com

Jazz Times

Music Choice

Christian Jazz

Other Notable Jazz Performers

Aaron, Blake

Adkins, Jim

Ahlers, Ozzie

Amedeo

Ayers, Roy

Baldwin, Bob

Bass X

Bona Fide

Breaux, Zachary

Cain, Jonathan

Darius, Eric

Donato, Will

Douthit, Mark

Essix, Eric

Fagen, Donald

Freeman, Russ

Fritzen, Jonathan

Gabriano, James

Garfield, David

Garrett, Kenny

Geith, Chris

Goin, Gary

Grant, Tom

Hardiman, Ronan

Hewitt, Alan

Hiltebrand, Dave

Hollingsworth, Mark

Hughes, Brian

Jackiem

Jacobson, Keith

Jiosa, Denny

Jordan, Marc

Julienne, Klement

Lanz, David

Leighton, Bradley

Levine, Mike

Lyle, Bobby

Manhattan Transfer

Mariano, Torcuato

Martin, Phillip

McMurray, Dave

Metheny, Pat

Miles, Jason

Miller, Marcus

Mullins, Rob

Next Level

Nichols, Grady

O'Neal, Alexander

O'Neill, Michael

Paulo, Michael

Pensyl, Kim

Phillips, Mike

Portmann, Mark

Powell, Doc

Quintin Gerald W

Rahn, Darren

Riney, Sam

Rotella, Thom

Sabler, Les

Saisse, Philippe

Schuman, Tom (Spyro Gyra)

Seal

Sereny, Dave

Shilts (Paul Shilts Weimar)

Shimabukuro, Jake

Siegel, Dan

Simply Red

Simpson, Brian

Smith, Richard

Smith, Roger

Soto, Jay

Tarquin, Brian

Thompson, J

Toney, Kevin

Urban Jazz Coalition

Urban Renewal

Vargas, James

Vibes Alive

Vlad

Watley, Jody

Whitfield, Mark

Williams, Pamela

Wolverton, Kyle

Yandall, Patrick

2009 Smooth Jazz Schedule-Michigan

Local Michigan Venues for Smooth Jazz Concerts

The Ark

Chene Park

DTE-Palace of Auburn Hills, Pine Knob, Meadowbrook

Jerome Duncan Ford Theatre/Freedom Hill

Meadowbrook

Seldom Blues

University of Michigan Hill Auditorium/Power Center

Breslin Center

County Fairs in Michigan

Andiamo's

Arturo's

Bert's Marketplace

Firefly Club

Goodnight Gracie

Kerrytown Concert House

Melange

Quarter Bistro

Ticketmaster

Jazz News Michigan

Metro Times Calendar

AOL City Guide Detroit

Best of Detroit

Detroit News Best of Michigan 2007

Live at Night

Smooth Jazz Albums Owned: CDs/Cassettes (August 11, 2007)
Smooth Jazz CD Smooth Jazz Artist
Come as You Are Abair, Mindy
American/English Acoustic Alchemy
This Way Acoustic Alchemy
Very Best of Acoustic Alchemy Acoustic Alchemy
Groovology Albright, Gerald
Rapture Baker, Anita
Heir Wave-Volume II Bass X
For Her Beasley, Walter
The Incomparable Tony Bennett Bennett, Tony
Best of David Benoit 1987-1995 Benoit, David
The Ultimate Collection Benoit, David
20/20 (Cassette) Benson, George
Love Remembers Benson, George
Tenderly Benson, George
Twice the Love Benson, George
While the City Sleeps (Cassette) Benson, George
Very Best of Chris Botti Botti, Chris
When I Fall in Love Botti, Chris
Body and Soul Braun, Rick
Yours Truly Braun, Rick
Steppin' Out Braxton Brothers
Secrets Braxton, Toni
Toni Braxton Braxton, Toni
Escape Brickman, Jim
Greatest Hits of Jim Brickman Brickman, Jim
Just Chillin Brown, Norman
Upfront Brown, Paul
Spin Cole, Steve
True Cole, Steve
The Best of John Coltrane Coltrane, John
Millenium Collection Coryell, Larry
Best of the Crusaders (Cassette) Crusaders
Celine Dion Dion, Celine
Colour of my Love Dion, Celine
Falling into you Dion, Celine
Invitation Only Downing, Will
George Duke Duke, George
Jumpin Off Elliot, Richard
Metro Blue Elliot, Richard
Richard Elliott Elliot, Richard
Ricochet Elliot, Richard
The Best of Richard Elliott Elliot, Richard
The Best of Fourplay Fourplay
Love Is Reality Green, Al
The Best of Herbie Hancock Hancock, Herbie
Hardcastle 2 Hardcastle, Paul
Hardcastle 4 Hardcastle, Paul
Jazzmasters Volume I Hardcastle, Paul
Better Days Harp, Everette
Love Life Hill, Warren
Love Songs Hill, Warren
Warren Hill Hill, Warren
Very Best of George Howard Howard, George
Power of the String Jackson, Paul
Foxie (Cassette) James, Bob
H (Cassette) James, Bob
Heads (Cassette) James, Bob
Ivory Coast James, Bob
Lucky Seven (Cassette) James, Bob
Playin' Hooky James, Bob
Touchdown (Cassette) James, Bob
Flesh & Blood James, Bob & Hilary
Restless James, Bob & Hilary
Scarlatti Dialogues, The James, Bob & Hilary
Cool James, Bob & Klugh, Earl
One on One (Cassette) James, Bob & Klugh, Earl
Double Vision (Cassette) James, Bob & Sanborn, David
Backbone James, Boney
Body Language James, Boney
Seduction James, Boney
Sweet Thing James, Boney
Come Away with Me Jones, Norah
Kemistry Kem
Breathless Kenny G
Duotones Kenny G
G Force Kenny G
Miracles: The Holiday Album Kenny G
Silhouette Kenny G
The Moment Kenny G
Best of Earl Klugh Klugh, Earl
Earl Klugh (Cassette) Klugh, Earl
Heartstring (Cassette) Klugh, Earl
Love Songs Klugh, Earl
Love Stories (Cassette) Klugh, Earl
Midnight in San Juan Klugh, Earl
Move Klugh, Earl
Naked Guitar Klugh, Earl
Sounds and Visions-Vol.2 Klugh, Earl
Saxophonic Koz, Dave
The Dance Koz, Dave
Ultimate Narda Collection Lantz, David
Everything Must Change Lington, Michael
Stay with Me Lington, Michael
Vivid Lington, Michael
Flipside Lorber, Jeff
Fun and Games (Cassette) Mangione, Chuck
Christmas in the Aire Mannheim Steamroller
Popular Songs: The Best of Wynton Marsalis Marsalis, Wynton
n/a Matsui, Keiko
Very Best of Keiko Matsui Matsui, Keiko
Wildflower Matsui, Keiko
Motown McDonald, Michael
Motown 2 McDonald, Michael
Another Side of Midnight Meadows, Marion
Taking a Chance on Love Monheit, Jane
Just an Illusion Najee
Love Songs Najee
Alexander O'Neal Greatest Hits O'Neal, Alexander
Best of Pieces of a Dream Pieces of a Dream
Always Rangell, Nelson
Best of Nelson Rangell Rangell, Nelson
Destiny Rangell, Nelson
Far Away Day Rangell, Nelson
Look Again Rangell, Nelson
My American Songbook-Volume 1 Rangell, Nelson
Soul to Souls Rangell, Nelson
Truest Heart Rangell, Nelson
Turning Night into Day Rangell, Nelson
Wild Card Rippington's
A Twist of Motown Ritenour, Lee
Dearly Beloved Rollins, Sonny
Close-Up Sanborn, David
Hearsay Sanborn, David
Pearls Sanborn, David
Songs from the Night Before Sanborn, David
Straight to the Heart Sanborn, David
The Best of David Sanborn Sanborn, David
Upfront Sanborn, David
In the Eye of the Storm Snitzer, Andy
Some Quiet Place Snitzer, Andy
Sugar Snitzer, Andy
Ties that Bind Snitzer, Andy
Alternating Currents (Cassette) Spyro Gyra
Breakout (Cassette) Spyro Gyra
Rites Of Summer Spyro Gyra
Hip Sway Standring, Chris
Greatest Hits: Take 6 Take 6
So Cool Take 6
Greatest Hits of Paul Taylor Taylor, Paul
On the Horn Taylor, Paul
The Very Best of Wayman Tisdale Tisdale, Wayman
Wayman Tisdale Tisdale, Wayman
Give Me the Reason (Cassette) Vandross, Luther
The Best of Luther Vandross-The Best of Love Vandross, Luther
Lazy Afternoon Jazz Various Artists
Prime Cuts Washington, Grover
Very Best of Kirk Whalum Whalum, Kirk

Here is a partial list of some CD's I'm hoping to purchase in the next few years:
1CD to Get Artist
Positive Thinking Acoustic Alchemy
Kickin it Up Albright, Gerald
New Beginnings Albright, Gerald
Destiny Brickman, Jim
Grace Brickman, Jim
Love Songs and Lullabyes Brickman, Jim
Peace Brickman, Jim
Picture This Brickman, Jim
Simple Things Brickman, Jim
The Gift Brickman, Jim
Slow Burn Camozzi, Chris
Between Us Cole, Steve
Ny La Cole, Steve
Stay Awhile Cole, Steve
It's On Tonight Culbertson, Brian
Just Getting Started Darius, Eric
Night on the Town Darius, Eric
Chill Factor Elliot, Richard
On the Town Elliot, Richard
Power of Suggestion Elliot, Richard
Born 2 Groove Groove, Euge
Euge Groove Groove, Euge
Everything Must Change Groove, Euge
Just Feels Right Groove, Euge
Livin Large Groove, Euge
Play Date Groove, Euge
Jazzmasters V Hardcastle, Paul
All for You Harp, Everette
What's Going On Harp, Everette
Another Door Opens Kashiwa, Jeff
Peace of Mind Kashiwa, Jeff
Classics in the Key of G Kenny G
I'm in the Mood for Love Kenny G
Kenny G Greatest Hits Kenny G
Paradise Kenny G
Ultimate Kenny G Kenny G
Ballads Klugh, Earl
Best of Earl Klugh Vol.1 Klugh, Earl
Best of Earl Klugh Vol.2 Klugh, Earl
Heart String Klugh, Earl
Journey Klugh, Earl
Late Night Guitar Klugh, Earl
Music for Lovers Klugh, Earl
Sudden Burst of Energy Klugh, Earl
Whispers and Promises Klugh, Earl
Wishful Thinking Klugh, Earl
At the Movies Koz, Dave
Dave Koz Koz, Dave
Golden Slumbers: A Father's Lullaby Koz, Dave
Lucky Man Koz, Dave
Off the Beaten Path Koz, Dave
Finding Paradise Lanz, David
Heartsounds Lanz, David
Sacred Road Lanz, David
A Song for You Lington, Michael
Diary Mariano, Torcuato
Last Look Mariano, Torcuato
Lift Me Up Mariano, Torcuato
Full Moon and The Shrine Matsui, Keiko
Walls of Akendora Matsui, Keiko
Dressed to Chill Meadows, Marion
In Deep Meadows, Marion
Next to You Meadows, Marion
Players Club Meadows, Marion
Day by Day Najee
My Point of View Najee
Najee's Theme Najee
Love Songs Osborne, Jeffrey
Millennium Collection Osborne, Jeffrey
Music is Life Osborne, Jeffrey
Only Human Osborne, Jeffrey
Secrets of Moving On Pack, David
Pillow Talk Pieces of a Dream
In Every Moment Rangell, Nelson
Yes, then Yes Rangell, Nelson
Along the Way Siegel, Dan
Departure Siegel, Dan
Inside Out Siegel, Dan
Some Quiet Place Snitzer, Andy
Soul Express Standring, Chris
Hypnotic Taylor, Paul
Ladies Choice Taylor, Paul
Nightlife Taylor, Paul
Pleasure Seeker Taylor, Paul
Undercover Taylor, Paul
Way Up Tisdale, Waymon
Fnkysax W, Gerard Quinton
Babyface Songbook Whalum, Kirk
Hymns in the Garden Whalum, Kirk
Caravan of Dreams White, Peter
Confidential White, Peter
Glow White, Peter
Perfect Moment White, Peter
Playin Favorites White, Peter
Songs of the Season White, Peter

I believe there is a connection between Motown (Soul, Funk, etc.) and the Smooth Jazz movement, and here are some links to Motown Trivia:

Classic Motown

History of Rock: Motown Records

Motown Story

Motown Historical Museum

Detroit Free Press: Motown at 40

Talk of the South: Motown in the 1960's

Musicals Seen

Annie

Beauty & The Beast

Cats

Contact

Forever Plaid

Jekyll & Hyde

Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Les Miserables

Lion King

Mama Mia

Miss Saigon

Movin Out

Phantom of the Opera

Ragtime

Rent

Sound of Music

Starlight Express

Sunset Boulevard

The Full Monty

The Producers

Titanic

West Side Story

Wicked

Broadway Musicals we're hoping to see:

Aida

Aspects of Love

Chicago

Chorus Line

Color Purple

Evita

Fosse

Grease

Hairspray

Jesus Christ Superstar

King Lear

Legally Blonde

Mary Poppins

Phantom of Manhattan

Spamalot

Spring Awakening

Whistle Down the Wind

Links for Musicals:

Tony Awards

R&H Theatricals

EXP 100

Theatricopia

Channel 4

Time Magazine's Broadway Collection

Musicals.net

Broadway.com

Internet Broadway Database

The Broadway Musical

TalkinBroadway.com

Playbill

LiveBroadway

About

Yahoo

Ruel's

Heather's Links

Local Michigan Venues for Musicals

Nederlander (Fisher Theatre/Detroit Opera House/Masonic Temple)

Croswell Opera House

Wharton Center

Fox Theatre

Stranaham Theatre (Toledo)

Ticketmaster

DeVos Performance Hall

Van Andel Arena

Kellogg Arena