Smooth Jazz Therapy

Smooth Jazz Therapy - Top Twenty of 2006

New Year is not only about anticipating what the next twelve months might bring. It’s also a time to look back and to show appreciation. Consequently I would like to thank you, the readers of Smooth Jazz Therapy, for the way you keep coming back and for making this site the hottest place for contemporary jazz on the web. From a personal point of view it has been a real pleasure to produce what turned out to be a record number of CD and concert reviews. I have listened to some incredible music and talked to some outstanding artists. So, taking this opportunity to get a little self indulgent, here are my highlights of the year. In other words and in no particular order, my Smooth Jazz Therapy Top Twenty Tracks of 2006.

‘Can You Feel It’ by Nick Colionne from the CD ‘Keepin’ It Cool’. This year I got the chance to see Nick perform live at one of Denise Jordan Walker’s awesome ‘Smooth Jazz & Conversations’ Chicago showcases. That night Nick captivates his fans and I have been hooked ever since.

‘Lovers Paradise’ by Eric Darius from the CD ‘Just Getting Started’. Culbertson’s sax man had quite a year. This is a track that didn’t make it into the radio charts but is a standout nevertheless.

Read on for the remainder of this years top tracks.

Lawrence Welton - RSVP

‘RSVP’ is the debut album from the multi faceted Lawrence Welton. Not content with delivering consistently soulful vocals he also writes and produces all twelve tracks, and, with the exception of a little help from his Chicago friends, plays all the instruments too. Best known previously as a songwriter and for his skills on drums, his career has taken him from his home town of Chicago through Los Angeles CA, Dallas TX and back again where he is now combining all his talents under the banner of his very own Ensight Records. ‘RSVP’ finds Welton blending R & B with a touch of smooth jazz and a smattering of Hip-Hop. The overall effect is both soulful and consistently pleasing.

Ken Navarro - Christmas Cheer

Writing this on an English Christmas morning makes it worth reflecting on how seasonal songs are such a huge part of the holiday experience. Whether it be pop and folk, rock and country or soul and funk there is a Christmas tune to whet every musical appetite. But sometimes, when the partying is over, when the embers of the fire are burning low in the grate and that last glass of Christmas cheer has engendered warm feelings of friends, family and celebrations gone by, something special is called for. In this context there can be none better than Ken Navarro’s 1996 album ‘Christmas Cheer’. It’s an exquisite collection of Christmas music played with a contemporary jazz twist that nevertheless remains grounded in the magic of this special season. Released immediately before his seminal CD ‘Smooth Sensation’, Navarro demonstrates huge focus and respect for his subject by simply yet stunning use of acoustic guitar supported only but significantly by consistently excellent acoustic piano from regular contributor Jay Rowe.

Eliane Elias - Around The City

‘Around The City’ is the 18th album release from pianist, singer and songwriter, Eliane Elias. She is an artist who is renowned for her distinctive and immediately recognizable musical style and the way she blends her Brazilian roots and sensuous, alluring voice with impressive instrumental jazz and classical skills. As a guest artist she has appeared on performances and recordings with Joe Henderson, James Taylor, Michael Franks, Andy Summers, the Brecker Brothers, Earl Klugh, Toots Thielemans, Herbie Hancock and most recently, Marc Johnson’s ‘Shades of Jade’. Her big break came in 1983 when she was invited to join the jazz super-group Steps Ahead. She recorded one album with them before beginning a collaboration with trumpet player Randy Brecker to whom she was subsequently married. Their sole duo album, released in 1985, was named after their daughter Amanda. Since then, in a career that is generously patterned with awards and Grammy nominations, she has become recognized as the preeminent interpreter of the works of Antonio Carlos Jobim. In fact she has been featured on many concert tributes to Jobim and recorded two albums solely dedicated to his music, ‘Plays Jobim’ and ‘Sings Jobim’. Now with ‘Around The City’, her third release on RCA Victor, Elias has come up with her own take on some pop classics and a fresh blend of vocal and songwriting collaborations with producers Andres Levin and Lester Mendez.

Culbertson And Jarreau In The Christmas Spirit

Smooth jazz radio top thirty most played for the seven days ending December 11, 2006. Al Jarreau and Brian Culbertson are giants of the genre and this week, both on and off the chart, they have been making their mark. The Al Jarreau classic ‘Mornin’ on which the originator collaborates with George Benson holds down top spot for another week while brand new at 27 is Culbertson with a classic of a different kind. It’s ‘Deck The Halls’, from his wonderful new holiday album ‘A Soulful Christmas’. Of course the Brian Culbertson ‘A Soulful Christmas’ tour is now in full swing and set something of a record when, complete with Eric Darius and yes Al Jarreau in the line-up, it blew into New York for the WQCD 101.9 sponsored show. The event was held at the Beacon Theater and, with ticket holders asked to bring at least one can of food with them, the station collected over 2,100 pounds of non perishable goods all of which will go to the City Harvest project. The amount of food raised was greater than that gathered by top basketball team the New York Knicks at a recent and similar promotion. In return for their donation the audience at the Culbertson show received an exclusive CD that was produced especially for the occasion.

Check back here often for all the news of what is hot on American smooth jazz radio.

Melissa Forbes - No More Mondays

And, now for something completely different; Australian-based singer/songwriter Melissa Forbes names her musical influences as Prince, Diana Krall, Sade, Joni Mitchell, Chaka Khan and Tina Arena. That’s quite a list but checking out her debut album ‘No More Mondays’ it’s easy to see why. A delightful confection of styles and moods, the CD was recorded in 2004 and released in March of 2005 through her own independent label, Kitten Kong Records. She has been described as a soulful jazz singer but ‘No More Mondays’, a collection that with the exception of several choice covers primarily focuses on her own material, is way more eclectic than that. It’s also a million miles away from her original profession of commercial law.

Winners And Losers In Smooth Jazz Radio

Smooth jazz radio top thirty most played for the seven days ending December 4, 2006. In this world of ups and downs it’s the fresh take on the Al Jarreau classic ‘Mornin’ that sits on top the chart of most played on smooth jazz radio. This George Benson and Al Jarreau collaboration displaces Boney James and his ‘The Total Experience’. Last weeks new entry from Kenny G, ‘You’re Beautiful’ is up three at 19. It comes from Kenny’s brand new CD ‘I’m In The Mood For Love…The Most Romantic Melodies Of All Time’. Elsewhere the talk is all about those who will be losers as a result of the way Broadcast Architecture's new Smooth Jazz Network is reshaping smooth jazz radio in the USA.

Ken Navarro - The Meeting Place

‘The Meeting Place’ is guitarist and composer Ken Navarro's brand new CD and his seventeenth in a solo career that dates back to 1990. His discography is generously scattered with gems of contemporary jazz and there is none more so in this respect than his 1997 release ‘Smooth Sensation’. More recently ‘Love Coloured Soul’, the 2005 CD that included his stunning take on the Laura Nyro classic ‘Stoned Soul Picnic’, climbed to #6 on the national charts. Now based in Baltimore Ken began his recording career in Los Angeles as a premier session guitarist, performer and composer. After performing and recording with artists as diverse as Doc Severinsen and Dave Koz he established his own musical identity with the formation of Positive Music Records and the release of his debut album, ‘The River Flows’. Through the label, Ken has been responsible for launching the recording careers of saxophonist Brandon Fields, guitarist Grant Geissman and keyboardists Gregg Karukas and Marcus Johnson. In 2002 he briefly switched to Shanachie where he released ‘Slow Dance’ and stayed on through 2003 for the follow up, ‘All The Way’. In 2004 he picked up the production reins for youthful sax sensation Eric Darius and his highly acclaimed Narada debut, ‘Night On The Town’. Now back in his own Positive Music stable, and at the very top of his game, he brings us ‘The Meeting Place’, a tight, accessible 11 song collection that includes 10 of his own new compositions plus a superb version of the Pat Metheny classic ‘Lakes’.

Greg Adams In Demand

Not only is Greg Adams catching the eye with his hot new CD that is ‘Cool To The Touch’ he is also in demand for his now legendary skills as an arranger. His arrangements will soon be heard on the self titled debut CD from American Idol winner Taylor Hicks that will be released on December 12. As well as contributing six horn arrangements to the project he also provided one orchestral arrangement. With the exception of Hicks cover of the Rod Stewart classic ‘Young Turks’ all of Adams work makes it onto the CD and his LA Horn Section lineup for the venture includes Lee Thornburg, Nick Lane, Eric Marienthal, Mark Hollingsworth, Johnnie Bamont and of course Greg Adams himself. Elsewhere Greg has also recently completed work with Josh Groban for his new release ‘Awake’. Greg has contributed the horn arrangement for the tenth and final song on the album, ‘Machine’. The track features Herbie Hancock, Nathan East, Vinnie Colaiuta and Greg's LA Horn Section with the line up of Greg, Lee Thornburg, Nick Lane, Tom Scott and Greg Vail.

For more on Greg Adams and on where to catch him live go to www.gregadamsmusic.com

BA Completes Weekend Line-Up

Smooth jazz radio top thirty most played for the seven days ending November 27 2006. Not only is his new radio single ‘You’re Beautiful’ new on the chart at 22 it has been announced that No. 1 selling instrumental artist of all time, Kenny G, is to join Broadcast Architecture's team of radio hosts on its Smooth Jazz Network's nationally distributed weekend shows. Completing BA’s weekend roster for the programming that commences on January 6, 2007, Kenny G joins the recently appointed Paul Hardcastle, Norman Brown and Brian Culbertson. The renowned saxophonist will be heard 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on both Saturdays and Sundays. No doubt all shows will make full use of the technique of voice tracking and to prove the point Billy Raven has been slated for the midnight through to 6-00 AM slot seven days a week.

Wayman Tisdale Coming To Chicago

Monday December 4 in Chicago. It’s only one day away but not too late to get your tickets for the latest Candid Jazz & Conversations event in Chicago. CJ & C founder Denise Jordan Walker has pulled off yet another coup by bringing none other than Wayman Tisdale to the new Rich South Performing Arts Theatre, 5000 Sauk Trail, Richton Park, Illinois. The venue is right off of I-57 and Sauk Trail and the special celebrity host will be Chicago local Nick Colionne. The doors open at 7-00 PM and the conversation starts at 8. The CJ & C format is truly unique while Tisdale is one of the most entertaining and energetic live acts around. It really is too good to miss so e-mail [email protected] to place your order.

For more on Denise Jordan Walker and Candid Jazz & Conversations go to www.myspace.com/candidjazzandconversation.

Brian Culbertson - A Soulful Christmas

Smooth jazz fans are well blessed with Christmas albums that stay on the right side of cool and this year have another seasonal gem to add to their festive collection. ‘A Soulful Christmas’ is Brian Culbertson’s first ‘holiday’ project and although, overall, it is his ninth release the concept is one he has carried with him since day one. Maybe that is why once the project was given the green light the arrangements and music came both quickly and spontaneously. From April 2006 the CD was completed in a very intensive three months period. In this respect the process benefited from the fact that much of the work was done in Culbertson’s state of the art home studio, BCM Studios, and as collaborations with good friends. The result is an album that is brim full of Culbertson’s special musical magic.

What's Smooth Jazz? - That Somebody Was You

We have all been in situations where we have brought up the subject of the music we love only to be asked ‘what’s smooth jazz?’ It is a question not always easy to answer and one that forms the motivation for this occasional feature unremarkably called ‘What’s Smooth Jazz?’ Designed to illustrate some of the most definitive examples of the genre, the tracks that have been included previously have all been instrumentals. Despite that, the use of guest vocalists has long been a facet of contemporary jazz. One notable protagonist of the art, who went on to pioneer the now popular vehicle of ‘duets’, is Kenny G. His discography is generously scattered with vocal contributions from Chaka Khan, Smokey Robinson, Aaron Neville, Michael Bolton, Peabo Bryson, Lenny Williams and Earth Wind and Fire among others yet his greatest triumph in this respect comes courtesy of his 1996 album ‘The Moment’ and the track ‘That Somebody Was You’ featuring Toni Braxton.