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Smooth Jazz Freak needs New Artists

I listen to a lot of Smooth Jazz/New Age (not the meditational or nature sounds type, but closer to Smooth Jazz sound) music.

I'm very narrow in casual listening preferences. Some names I have: Craig Chaquaco, Rippingtons, 3rd Force, Acoustic Alchemy, Larry Carlton, Spyro Gyra, Norman Brown, Boney James, Paul Taylor, Dave Sanborn, David Benoit, Euge Groove, etc. I enjoy almost any instrumentation played in a smooth jazz format.

Anyone got some hot new artists to recommend? (BTW, I DID a search for "smooth jazz" on the site here and not a single reference! So, maybe this can pump up the archive a bit for us poor boring listeners. :)
douglas_schroeder
jameswei
883 posts
 
Not "new" artists, here are five smooth jazz "classics" with my favorite albums: Breezin by George Benson, Duotones by Kenny G, The In Crowd by Ramsey Lewis, A Day in the Life by Wes Montgomery, and Mister Magic by Grover Washington, Jr.
junvel
2 posts
 
Have you tried Fourplay,Brian Culbertson,Avenue Blue,Keiko Matsui,Marc Antoine,jazzmasters etc. These are not new artist but if you like smoothjazz they are worth checking out
kjweisner's avatar
kjweisner
293 posts
 
Try some Grant Geissman (guitarist) and Brian Bromberg (bassist) and the Yellowjackets. While not a big fan of smooth jazz, I have several recordings from each of these artists/groups and find them pretty enjoyable and distinctive. There's some Lee Ritenour stuff that's pretty interesting too.
douglas_schroeder OP
3,281 posts
 
I have Grant Geissman, Yellowjackets, Benson, Kenny G, Washington Jr., Fourplay, Culbertson, Ave. Blue, Matsui, Antoine, Jazzmasters...

There must be some new/unusual talent that crosses over into the synthesized/pop sound.

I have many of the artists played regularly on smooth jazz stations. How about some that are lesser known? Ones that have been real sleepers but keepers?
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