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What is "smooth jazz"? I only ever hear it on "The Weather Channel"'s "Local on the 8s" weather forecast. I'm not really sure what I'm hearing: it seems "jazzy", but simplified, rhythmically and harmonically. The melodies seem pretty good on their own, but it seems like I-IV-V pop music with a few jazzy licks and measures thrown in. Maybe a nice turnaround here or there, but... whatever.
I'd like to learn to appreciate this style more, but as it is now, all I'm hearing is "elevator music", and it seems to be seeping into my own playing.
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03-06-2011 08:22 PM
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Originally Posted by jckoto3
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I hate the term 'smooth jazz', if they just called adult contemporary or R&B then the jazz musicians probably wouldn't get their panties all bunched up about it. It's really defined by the smooth jazz radio stations and has come to include pop, R&B, motown, blues, etc.
Hard to describe, but I know it when I hear it:
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Smooth jazz is synonymous with "happy jazz". It's what sucks, plain & simple. And that's not an opinion, that is a scientifically proven fact.
For the record, my panties are entirely bunched.Last edited by Dark Star; 03-06-2011 at 09:20 PM.
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Originally Posted by fep
By the way, I can *see* this video but I can't see the ones of Eddy Palmero that Monk posted. They're all YouTube vids, but I can't see those. (I hear them, but the screen's black.) This one I see (and hear) fine. I can't figure this out for the life of me.
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Originally Posted by markerhodes
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Originally Posted by billkath
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It's pronounced smoove.
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Originally Posted by Stackabones
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to my ears, there are two distinct 'categories' of smooth jazz: the faceless dreck that's made specifically for that market (kenny g, et al), and the cool/fun stuff put out by musicians who have always skirted the border between jazz and pop (george duke, oscar castro-neves, etc).
when i was living in chicago and often listening to WNUA, i actually enjoyed listening to certain musicians like herbie hancock, gato barbieri, roy ayers, kirk whalum, steely dan, etc etc. smooth jazz isn't all bad, but it's hard to listen to for a long stretch of time when the 'lesser' artists are mixed in with the good ones. but i think that's true for more than just this one particular genre of music.
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I think the smooth jazz stations define smooth jazz and their definition is very broad.
A tune often played on the San Diego smooth jazz station KIFM:
And this one also:
One thing about these groups, they can sell out decent sized venues.
And it's very fashionable for jazz musicians to hate smooth jazz. I find that funny.Last edited by fep; 03-06-2011 at 11:05 PM.
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Fashionable? I thought it was required.
Honestly, my dislike (hate's pretty strong) for it is more like an allergic reaction.
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Originally Posted by jckoto3
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The only label worse than Smooth is "Christian Jazz." They take out all the Satanic notes, like flat 5s, 9s and 13s. When they record anything, they play it backwards to ensure there are no demonic messages encoded in the music.
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Originally Posted by Banksia
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until i started visiting this board i had no idea that pat metheny played straight-ahead jazz. i had only heard him on smooth-jazz stations and thought he was just a listless, weak imitation of toninho horta. i still feel that way, at least when it comes to his version of smooth jazz. i have developed such a dislike for him that i have yet to check out the 'real' jazz side of him. the jazz stations here don't play him, so i guess i'm on my own …
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Smooth Jazz often doesn't swing. I find that it often features a Hip-Hop/ R&B style of drumming. Often consists of a really repetitive melody, a B section, and then a bit of soloing.
I guess that written explanation can apply to alot of different genres, but it's got this "soul" feel I guess you can say. I actually like smooth jazz from certain artists like Spyro Gyra or The Crusaders - but after while it just gets too damn SMOOTH!
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Originally Posted by Banksia
Triton = the devil
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Originally Posted by Bill C
Then of course there is this piece of genius:
Pat Metheny on Kenny G
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Originally Posted by Bill C
I remind myself of this every time I have to teach a Pop or Rock song.
I'm payin' the bills with a guitar in my hands!
Cheers, Ron
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Like they say, smooth jazz is a kind of laxative for the mind.
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There's was a time when I thought Larry Carlton played good music.
And then I woke up.
Now I never eat a large meal before I go to bed.
No more nightmares.
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Originally Posted by Drumbler
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I think Larry has repented of his "smooth jazz" ways. I saw him awhile back w/Robben Ford & it was anything but smooth. He pretty much tore it up.
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