R.I.P. Smooth Jazz, 1985-2008?

So ‘Smooth Jazz’ sucks huh? Hmm, now where have I heard a similar downpour of fire and brimstone like that before? I have a problem with anyone who tries to tear down any musical form of expression. Respectfully, I happen to like many of the artists you so cynically denigrated, Mr Layman. What’s next? Should everyone to bring a Dave Koz or Yellowjackets CD to Comiskey Park for a public burning?

Comment by Johnson Volpe — April 17, 2008 @ 4:39 am

“Should everyone to bring a Dave Koz or Yellowjackets CD to Comiskey Park for a public burning?”

That would be a convenient way to roundup all the “smoothers” for exile to muzakland! Talk about a win-win situation.

Not a fan of smooth jazz but I know some who are, they are not friends mind you more like acquaintances but they do exist. So listen to whatever you like as long as I don’t have to hear it in my home I am cool. That said, I am not sad to see smooth jazz go away. At least unitl it becomes retro/cool in 20 years!

Comment by Haywood Jay — April 17, 2008 @ 8:36 am

I’m still waiting for the death of heavy metal and gangsta rap. I’d much rather listen to the the muzak-y sounds of a Najee or Kirk Whalum than the clashing cacophony of a Black Sabbath or Judas Priest!

Comment by Charlie Raymer from Philadelphia — April 17, 2008 @ 10:59 am

Great essay. I really enjoyed reading it, particularly because the focus wasn’t so much on engaging in the obligatory “smooth-jazz-sucks” line of thinking but actually historicizing a phenomenon that I’ve never quite understood. Having said that, it would have been cool to have explored the fine line between Steely Dan and smooth jazz. For many casual music listeners, there’s hardly any difference. But to most Steely Dan fans, the Dan is genius, and smooth jazz is the enemy. Maybe Steely Dan’s true genius was to dress up obscure lyrics and complicated chord progressions in the veneer of muzak. Sometimes they succeeded too well, i.e., the muzak coating was too strong to let the cleverness out.

Comment by joy from New York — April 17, 2008 @ 12:29 pm

Terrific article....I always called it elevator music.George Winston was my idea of the Emperor’s New Pianist and most people truly don’t hear the difference.Will’s tracing the roots of this “genre” were very informative.I’m forwarding the article to all my “real” jazz friends.What a pleasure it will be to never hear those droning ,unchanging,drumbeats !!!!!! Amen to that !!!
P.S.I’m a jazz singer

Comment by Jane Scheckter from Longmeadow,MA.01106 — May 4, 2008 @ 10:48 pm

Enjoyed your great article. I think Smooth Jazz got it’s popularity mainly because it can be used as background music...it sounds “Cool”. The music itself does not take a tremendous amount of thought to understand so the average person can grasp it with no or very little contemplation. On a positive note though, without musicians like Kenny G there would be a lot less saxophone and trumpet players getting work these days. Before he became popular there were not very many horn players you could here on an average radio station. Now we have hundreds. There may be a chance that someone listening to Kenny G or Chris Botti may take the chance and Check out John Coltrane, Miles Davis Ben Webster, Lee Konitz, Ornette Coleman or some other Jazz player.

Comment by Bill Payne from Las Vegas, NV — May 21, 2008 @ 2:21 pm