What if everything you thought you knew about smooth jazz was wrong? Far from being simple elevator music, this $2 billion industry has produced some of the most innovative fusion of musical styles in modern history. Join us as we peel back the layers of this misunderstood genre and explore the revolutionary contributions of its greatest legends.
We dive deep into Gerald Albright's extraordinary journey from the University of Redlands to becoming a smooth jazz icon with a distinctive sound blending jazz, R&B, and funk. Discover how his 1987 album "Dream Come True" established his signature style, and how collaborations with Whitney Houston, Anita Baker, and Quincy Jones shaped his musical evolution.
The conversation expands to include other pioneers like Grover Washington Jr., whose 1980 album "Winelight" transformed the genre with crossover hits that introduced countless listeners to smooth jazz. We examine how Kenny G's commercial success (selling over 12 million copies of "Breathless") sparked important debates about accessibility versus artistry – and why critics who dismissed the genre missed its revolutionary approach to making complex musical ideas approachable without sacrificing integrity.
What truly separates these legends is their creation of multi-layered compositions that function like musical onions – immediately appealing on the surface while revealing intricate harmonies and sophisticated rhythms with each deeper listen. This blueprint continues to influence today's artists who incorporate elements from hip-hop, electronic music, and world traditions while maintaining smooth jazz's essential DNA.
Support the artists keeping this musical tradition alive by visiting local arts centers and musical organizations in your community. And don't forget to sign up for our newsletter at greatdayradio.com to learn about our upcoming Great Day Radio Boot Camp, contests, giveaways, and more exciting content coming your way!
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Episode Transcript
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Thank you for sharing the lovePeace out my party peeps.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
You are listening to the People Station on
GreatDayRadiocom.
Speaker 3 (00:35):
Welcome to Great Day Radio's Entertainment Spotlight
Podcast.
This episode we are talkingsmooth jazz legends and their
contribution to music.
Smooth jazz often getsdismissed as background music
for elevators, but what mostpeople don't realize is that
this $2 billion industry hasproduced some of the most
innovative fusion of musicalstyles in modern history.
Let's dive into how onesaxophone legend helped shape
(00:57):
this misunderstood genre.
Dj Mikey D, you recentlyattended a fundraising event
recently that features not onlyMr Gerald Albright but his
amazingly talented daughter,singer and songwriter, Selena Al
true, calling the fundraisingevent was an amazing celebration
.
Speaker 1 (01:27):
Gerald was amazing as always.
His wife Glynnis hosted heramazing food recipe where
Trestle's Coastal Cuisine inCastle Rock, colorado, served up
her amazing chicken and waffles.
Gerald and his daughter Selena,along with his musical director
, j-rob, was awesome.
Folks, be sure to look upSelena Albright in all streaming
(01:48):
platforms.
We will also feature her on ouronline radio station at
greatdayradiocom.
Okay, on to the show.
Speaker 3 (01:55):
Wow, sounds exciting.
I wish I could have gone.
Glad you had a great time,mikey.
Well, you know what'sfascinating about his journey.
After studying at theUniversity of Redlands, he
developed this incrediblydistinctive sound that blends
jazz, r&b and funk.
When you listen to hisrecordings from the late 80s
through today, you can hear howhe created this entirely new
(02:15):
musical language that speaks tomultiple generations.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
Hmm, speaking of his musical evolution, what stands
out to me is how his 1987 albumDream Come True set the stage
for what would become hissignature style.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
Oh man.
And let's talk about thoseincredible collaborations for a
moment.
This guy has worked withWhitney Houston, anita Baker,
quincy Jones, like we're talkingabout some of the biggest names
in the industry.
Each of these partnershipsbrought something unique to his
development.
Speaker 1 (02:44):
You know what really strikes me about Albright's
approach.
Each of these partnershipsbrought something unique to his
development.
Speaker 3 (02:57):
That's exactly what makes his contemporary Grover
Washington Jr so significant too.
His 1980 album Wine Lightwasn't just another smooth jazz
album.
It literally changed the game.
Just the Two of Us became thismassive crossover hit that
introduced countless people tothe genre.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
Well, that brings up an interesting point about
commercial success in jazz.
When we look at Kenny G'sbreathless album, selling over
12 million copies worldwide, itreally shows how this genre
captured mainstream attention.
Speaker 3 (03:29):
So here's what's really interesting about Kenny
G's success.
It sparked this whole debateabout accessibility versus
artistry in jazz.
Some critics dismissed smoothjazz as being too commercial.
But they missed somethingcrucial these artists were
revolutionizing how complexmusical ideas could be made
approachable without sacrificingintegrity.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
That's such a thoughtful observation about the
balance between accessibilityand artistic merit.
How do you see their impactplaying out in contemporary
smooth jazz?
Speaker 3 (04:00):
Well, when you listen to modern smooth jazz artists,
you can hear echoes ofAlbright's funk-infused phrases,
washington's soulful approachand even David Sanborn's
genre-bending innovations.
But what's really fascinatingis how these influences have
been reinterpreted throughmodern production techniques and
contemporary soundsreinterpreted through modern
production techniques andcontemporary sounds.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
The way you describe these artists makes me think
about how they've created thismusical template that continues
to evolve.
Speaker 3 (04:27):
Exactly, and here's something most people don't
realize.
These artists created musicthat works on multiple levels.
Like you might catch the smoothmelodic surface when you're
casually listening, but when youreally dive in, you discover
these intricate layers ofharmony and rhythm.
It's like they created thismusical onion, where each layer
reveals something new andexciting.
Speaker 1 (04:49):
That multi-layered approach seems to be what
separates the truly great smoothjazz artists from the rest of
the pack.
Speaker 3 (04:56):
Looking ahead, I think we're going to see more
artists building on thisfoundation in exciting ways.
The fundamental elements thesepioneers established the
emphasis on melody, thesophisticated harmonies, the
groove-based compositions.
These will remain central tothe genre, but what's really
exciting is seeing how newartists are incorporating
elements from hip-hop,electronic music and world music
(05:19):
into this framework.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
Interesting.
So what you're saying is thatsmooth jazz isn't just surviving
, it's actively evolving andgrowing.
Speaker 3 (05:27):
And you know what?
That's probably the real geniusof artists like Albright and
his contemporaries.
They showed us that musicdoesn't have to choose between
being sophisticated andaccessible.
They created this templatewhere future generations could
experiment and grow while stillmaintaining that essential
smooth jazz DNA.
When you think about it, that'sa pretty remarkable legacy to
(05:47):
leave behind.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
Okay, my party peeps.
That is a wrap for this episode.
Like the fundraiser I was apart of recently, I encourage
you all, wherever you reside,please support local art centers
, the musical arts and otherorganizations to keep the spirit
alive.
Before I end this podcast, Iwould like to give an enormous
shout out to the folks at LoneTree Arts Center, such as Liz
(06:11):
Huppert and her team, as well asMayor Marissa Harmon of Lone
Tree, colorado.
Until next time, peace.
Speaker 2 (06:19):
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