Contemporary Jazz Artist

Ranked #3,971 in Music, #111,639 overall

Jazz in the 20th and 21st Centuries

Several years ago, there was a radio station in Berkley CA, called "The Quiet Storm." It's no longer in existence but there are several other radio stations across the U.S. that uses that same moniker. During the 3-4 hour timeframe of "The Quiet Storm," the DJ played nothing but smooth jazz.

Melodic jazz is suitable for romance, working around the house, writing, or just chillin' and it's therapeutic. So why not create a Lens that brings together some of the most harmonious music around? When speaking or writing about velvety jazz musicians the list includes names like Kenny G, Norman Brown, Brian Bromberg, Earl Klugh, David Benoit, Walter Beasley, Bobby Mcferrin, Jonathan Fritzen (a smooth newcomer), Earl Klugh, David Sanborn; the list goes on. With easy listening music, there's catchy song names like, "Martinis At The Velvet Lounge," "In Motion," "Back in Central Park," "Marimba Island," and so many other creative titles that engender memories of good times. Melodic jazz tunes simply do not invoke depression, that's a job reserved for, the "Blues."

Take a look around, watch some of the videos on this Lens.Scroll down and check out the performance of Keiko Matsui. She so magnificently performs, "Forever Forever," as if an angel is playing, or Candy Dulfer, playing the Sax like nobody's business. And a straight JAM by Vincent Ingala entitled, "It Is What It Is" is off the charts. This one will make you get up and bust a couple of moves. I couldn't get the video but it's worth the $0.99 cents download.

I can guarantee the melodies here will place you in a peaceful frame of mind. If you were upset or perturbed with someone, or a situation you'll forget it ever happened.

Jonathan Fritzen .. Will Downing

Cal Harris Jr. - Inside Out.mp4
by jazzcat314 | video info

58 ratings | 10,023 views
curated content from YouTube

Jonathan Fritzén

MP3 Downloads $0.99

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Smooth Contemporary Jazz Greats

This list includes some of the best contemporary Jazz Artist of the 21st Century. Artist who have transitioned are included as well, such as the legendary Grover Washington, and the ephemeral, yet amazing career of Waymon Tisdale. Their music, like the soul, is immortal.

8GB Red Music Stick MP3 Player
4GB Pink Music Feeling Rectangle MP3 Player
4GB Black Music Feeling Rectange MP3 Player

Keiko Matsui Live

Keiko Matsui - Night Hawks' Dream
by tatianadoganturk | video info

311 ratings | 94,665 views
curated content from YouTube

Keiko Matsui, "The Road" Review

by James, Amazon.com

The more I listened to The Road... the more I realized there are two very defined parts to the album. In the past, it isn't unusual for back-to-back releases by Keiko to be very similar in style and theme. Deep Blue and The Ring / Sapphire and Dream Walk quickly come to mind as examples. The first four songs could easily have appeared on Moyo. They're similar in style and sound and almost feel as though they could have been recorded at the same time as the songs on Moyo. Not that that is a bad thing; not by a long shot. Moyo is a terrific album and the new songs (Secret Pond, Falcon's Wing's, Nguea Wonja, Bohemian Concerto) all stand up very well on their own. To me, Falcon's Wing is the standout of the four. It is easily the best song on the CD.

It's the final five songs (Embrace & Surrender, Awakening, Touching Peace, Affirmation, & The Road...) that we really get a glimpse of what has been going on in Keiko's life the past 4 years as she traveled down her "Road...". I think even the order of the songs offer us insight to her journey as she finds her way through her "hardship" (as she stated in the liner notes). I could be reading too much into it, but after multiple listens, the feeling, the beauty, the true heartfelt emotions come through her music and allow the listener to take the journey with her. It's where the album really shines and where I found a true emotional attachment to the music. As with previous albums, there are always hidden gems that don't get played on the radio, or played in concert, but are some of her most brilliant work (Rose in Morocco from Deep Blue and Marula from Moyo quickly come to mind) and The Road... is no exception. Touching Peace is one of those songs. The way Keiko delicately plays the piano along with the guitar backing is absolutely beautiful and will only get better the more I listen to it.

If you're new to Keiko Matsui's music, this is an excellent place to start. There are some fantastic songs on this album, if not some of the best of her career. Put in the CD, put on the headphones, close your eyes and take the journey down The Road... You will not be disappointed. For those who are down for only buying individual songs: Falcon's Wing, Awakening & Touching Peace are my personal favorites.

Keiko Matsui 2011 Tour Schedule

The Road?

Amazon Price: $8.91 (as of 06/02/2012)Buy Now
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Let's have some fun!

Incredible Videos from some very talented artist.

The remake of the classic "Is It You" by Lee Ritenour featuring vocals from Kenya Hathaway (Donnie's daughter), and Grady Harrell will blow you away! Then there's Bernie Williams, former Yankees baseball player playing the smoothest rendition of "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" that you will every hear. Cal Haris, Jr., "Inside Out" is smooth but it will also make you wanna dance. The remake of Luther's song "Dance With My Father" is done by a group called, "Nuttin But Stringz." Check it out, it's tight! And Candy Dulfer plays the Sax like nobody's business.

What can you say about Najee, a smooth jazz legend, the song is called, "Stolen Glances" from his "Mind Over Matter" CD. Also included is Randy Crawford's classic remake of "Imagine." This jazz collage would not be complete without a video of the sexy and talented Sade. Just kick back and enjoy George Benson's live performance of "On Broadway," the scatting and the piano solo will get you up out cha seat!

IS IT YOU - Lee Ritenour, Kenya Hathaway, and Grady Harrell from Overtime
by kbvallespin | video info

68 ratings | 15,677 views
curated content from YouTube

Stellar Performances

Ladies of Contemporary Jazz

Keiko Matsui - Forever Forever
by takatakatang | video info

2,143 ratings | 759,010 views
curated content from YouTube

Robin Duhe Band

former Bass Guitarist of Maze

Robin Duhe is a former bass player for the group Maze headed by balladeer Frankie Beverly. Rob's music is NICE. He has an instrumental remake of Happy Feelin's that give mad props to the original version but takes own a groove of its own.

Check out "Don't Ask My Neighbor" a remake from the "Emotions" female singing group and "Larry's Tune." Both songs display the brilliance of this very talented guitarist.

Do It Duhe

Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 06/02/2012)Buy Now

Smooth Jazz Remakes

  • Bob James, "Sweet Thing," from "Sweet Thing"

  • Boney James, "I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little..." from "Send One Your Love"

  • Brittni Paiva, "Sunday Morning" from "Four Strings: The Fire Within"

  • Herbie Hancock/India Arie, "Imagine" from "Imagine"

  • Incognito/Chaka Khan, "Lowdown" from "Transatlantic R.P.M."

  • Lee Ritenour, "Is It You," from "Overtime"

  • Nils, "Sara Smile" from "What The Funk"

  • Nuttin But Stringz, "Dance With My Father" from "Nuttin_But_Stringz"

  • Wayman Tisdale, "Ain't No Stopping Us Now" from "Hang Time"

  • Wayman Tisdale, "Summer Breeze" from "In the Zone"

MP3 Downloads I

Walter Beasley, Norman Brown, Fourplay

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MP3 Downloads II

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MP3 Downloads III

Najee, Paul Taylor, Earl Klugh, J. Butler

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Crusin' Music

Definitely add these to your collection

Cruising across the Golden Gate
  • Ben Tankard, "Stirred Not Shaken," "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy"

  • Ben Tankard, "Heavenly Vibes," "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy"

  • Bernie Williams/Dave Koz, "Ritmo De Otono," "Moving Forward"

  • Blake Aaron/Najee, "Encantadora," "Soul Stories"

  • Brian Bromberg, "Sanford And Son," "It Is What It Is"

  • Cal Haris, Jr. "Inside Out.." "Inside Out"

  • David Benoit, "I Just Can't Stop Loving You," "Every Step Of The Way"

  • Jonathan Fritzen, "Temple Of Dreams," "Love Birds"

  • Lee Ritenour, "Is It You," "Overtime"

  • Marc Antoine, "Forever," "Hi-Lo Split"

  • Najee, "Stolen Glances," "Mind Over Matter"

  • Vincent Ingala, "It Is What It Is," "North End Soul"

  • Walter Beasley, "Go With The Flow," "Go With The Flow"

  • Will Downing/Gerald Albright, "Stop, Look, Listen To Your Heart," "20th Century Masters: Millennium Collection"

Cruising Melodies I

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Cruising Melodies II

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Norman Brown

Apple iTunes
Norman Brown's debut album was "Just Between Us" from Motown Records' Jazz label, Mo Jazz in 1992. He collaborated with Boyz II Men, Stevie Wonder, and writer/engineer Kenneth H. Williams. The album was co-produced by Norman Connors who actually discovered Norman Brown.

In 1994, Brown released "After the Storm." The CD gained critical success. This was followed up by his 1996 release, "Better Days Ahead" which put Mr. Brown on the map and garnered him a broader audience. In 2000, he released Celebration, produced by Paul Brown.

In 2002, he formed BWB along with with saxophonist Kirk Whalum and trumpeter Rick Braun, and released Groovin'. In 2003, he and his producer Paul Brown won Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Album for 2002's Just Chillin'. This was followed by the 2004 release West Coast Coolin' . In 2007, the radio hit, "Let's Take A Ride," (from the "Stay With Me" CD) rose to the #1 spot on the jazz billboard.

In 2008, Just Between Us" was re-released. You can hear Norman Brown's music on the Weather Channel, Local on the 8s, and the song "Lydian" is included in their 2008 compilation release, "The Weather Channel Presents: Smooth Jazz II." Norman currently performs on the Russ Freeman, Peak Records label. His latest CD is called "Sending My Love" released in 2010.

Norman Brown MP3 Downloads

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George Benson

Grammy Awards

  • 1984: Best Pop Instrumental Performance

  • 1981: Best Jazz Vocal Performance - Male

  • 1981: On Broadway Lyrics, Best Rhythm & Blues Instrumental Performance

  • 1981: Give Me The Night Lyrics, Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance - Male

  • 1981: George Benson Lyrics, Best Instrumental Arrangement

  • 1980: George Benson Lyrics, Best Instrumental Arrangement

  • 1979: On Broadway Lyrics, Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance - Male

  • 1977: George Benson Lyrics, Best Engineered Recording Other than Classical

  • 1977: George Benson Lyrics, Best Pop Instrumental Performance

  • 1977: George Benson Lyrics, Best Rhythm & Blues Instrumental Performance

  • 1977: This Masquerade Lyrics, Record of the Year


Apple iTunes

MP3 Downloads

Benson, Jarreau, Kem, Kenny G, and Sanborn

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Smooth Jazz Groups

This list includes some of the best contemporary Jazz Groups of the 21st Century.

  • The Rippingtons

  • The Jazzmasters

  • Fourplay

  • Incognito
  • davespeed Jan 27, 2012 @ 9:57 pm | delete
    Nice lens! I enjoyed the Keiko Matsui videos. All the best.
  • AnneMathews Sep 11, 2011 @ 5:13 pm | delete
    Great info about great music! Thanks.
  • bhthanks Sep 11, 2011 @ 11:07 am | delete
    thanks for the info
  • mikewsfi Aug 27, 2011 @ 4:51 pm | delete
    really enjoyed your lens, i could stay on it all day listening to some Jazz
  • Noelle_and_Dan Aug 22, 2011 @ 8:33 am | delete
    Thanks for the Night Hawks youtube link. Beautiful music.
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taskeinc

Barry Shaw, founder of Work Home Union, over 25 years in Information Technology, web/graphics design, network marketing. WHU aka taskeinc has written... more »

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