Kenny G. had been in Lorber's band before going solo.
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Phenomenon of Smooth Jazz
- Thread starter ElectroVibe
- Start date
Kenny G. had been in Lorber's band before going solo.
Yes, and he sucks. He was a mediocre fusion player, but he found a niche. Most people couldn't distinguish between Bill Evans and Liberace, and that's his audience. Which is fine until he makes an album he says was tribute to John Coltrane. He needs to go stand in the corner for that.
Just wanted to mention, for those who didn't follow the link and actually read the article, it's tongue in cheek humor.
Smooth jazz is in the rotation at Thumpenstein Manor. We enjoy it sometimes while reading a newspaper and drinking coffee on a Sunday morning, or when we want some pleasant, mellow music in the background, for a cocktail party for instance. It's not really ever the focus of anything, but I and others find it pleasing to the ear at times. We don't need hyperkinetic, discordant, exciting music at those times. Sometimes it fits the mood.
I kind of roll my eyes at all the snobbery about smooth jazz. Yeah, it can be formulaic and boring, but it can also be relaxing and pleasing to a lot of people. Enough that a lot of the artists mentioned on this thread have made some entertaining and enjoyable music, and have earned decent livings giving people music that they enjoy enough to pay to hear. And there is some serious talent that goes into a lot of smooth jazz. It's been around for a long time and they're still making it, so there must be something there we would call successful or popular. I, for one, am happy that there's a Dave Kos, Yellowjackets, Tony Saunders, and lots of others making jazz that is approachable, and that I can go back and dig on some Dave Sanborn, Grover Washington, Jr. and George Benson, to name a few, when the mellow mood strikes.
I kind of roll my eyes at all the snobbery about smooth jazz. Yeah, it can be formulaic and boring, but it can also be relaxing and pleasing to a lot of people. Enough that a lot of the artists mentioned on this thread have made some entertaining and enjoyable music, and have earned decent livings giving people music that they enjoy enough to pay to hear. And there is some serious talent that goes into a lot of smooth jazz. It's been around for a long time and they're still making it, so there must be something there we would call successful or popular. I, for one, am happy that there's a Dave Kos, Yellowjackets, Tony Saunders, and lots of others making jazz that is approachable, and that I can go back and dig on some Dave Sanborn, Grover Washington, Jr. and George Benson, to name a few, when the mellow mood strikes.
There is such a thing as commercial art. Just because people are getting paid doesn't mean it's not art. There's all kinds of art and all kinds of music, and it all has its place... and one is not inherently better than another. Art is communication, one kind of message, genre if you will, is not inherently better than another.
not smooth jazz. Steely dan is AOR (album oriented rock) or Yacht Rock, or
soul jazz is nothing like smooth jazz. Soul jazz was popular in the early 60's to mid 70's. It's essentially the rhythm section playing soul music (repetitive groove instead of walking/swinging), the the melodic and harmonic instruments are doing jazz (head, head, solos, head, head). Popular with the organ and mostly trio or quartet based.
i am a big soul jazz fan. It's like james browns band decided to play jazz, it is rough and raw and funky, all things smooth jazz is not. Brother Jack mcduff, groove Holmes, Johnny Hammond smith, Reuben Wilson, etc.
Kenny gorelick also recorded a Christmas album, yet he is a practicing Jew. That is as smooth jazz as it gets right there.
Check it, brotherman:
Soul Jazz: Jazz in the Black Community, 1945-1975 - BlueInk Review
This book is the joint.
thank you! just got a father's day giftcard i will be buying that book. you made my day!
Awww...
Not to toss cold water on, but the author Bob Porter passed a few weeks back. In addition to his estimable production credits he was a longtime DJ on WBGO outta Newark, a pretty excellent jazz station. You can go to their archives and find episodes of his shows "Portraits In Blue" and "[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]."
Bob knew his [stuff].
devnulljp
Supporting Member
Art is a solitary activity done for one's own pleasure. Entertainment is something done for others.
You are far more likely to get paid as an entertainer than as an artist.
Choose wisely.
Pretty sure I didn't say anything like that.
Writing a piece of music is art. Performing it for an audience is entertainment.
Painting a picture is art. Putting it on display for public viewing is entertainment.
Most likely the person commissioning the artist is intending to use it for entertainment purposes.
Alkali Ike
Gold Supporting Member
- Jan 1, 2011
- 2,857
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- I never actually learned to play very well
BLASPHEMY!!!!
i don't view yacht rock as an offensive term, i see it as endearing. i love yacht rock personally.
