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Truly manifesting the thought-provoking title of his fourth album DO WHAT YOU FEEL, veteran Urban Contemporary Jazz trombone master, Steve Baxter’s stirring blend of soulful, funky and smooth music invokes the classic R&B/jazz vibe of Wayne Henderson and finds him joining the ranks of Trombone Shorty and Brian Culbertson as contemporary jazz cats making Smooth Jazz a wonderland of possibilities for the instrument’s unique lower toned timbre. Steve’s unique stylistic array has its roots in his years sharing stage and studio time with everyone from The Crusaders, Barry Manilow and Gladys Knight & The Pips to Alicia Keys, Babyface and Ziggy Marley. Adding deeper emotional cool to the mix are the very different moods created on several key tracks by guest vocalists Devere Duckette and Lynn Fiddmont. This is a must have for music enthusiasts!

Renowned in contemporary jazz as a member of the Pat Metheny Group from 1986-1997... British born, Ontario-raised and Chicago-based Grammy winning vocalist David Blamires scored an enduring airplay hit in the early '90s with “Deep Is the Midnight Sea.” Decades later, he makes an impressive splash in Smooth Jazz with his new single, “With Every Passing Day” a soulful, dreamy and atmospheric song of longing and regret that serves as a perfect showcase for his emotionally resonant vocals. This lushly produced track is the culmination of an initial burst of inspiration for a persistent and perennial tune that came to him more than 20 years ago.

When Stevie Wonder asks you to record one of his songs and recommends a duet with an R&B sensation, you understand that it’s not a matter of saying yes, it’s a matter of how quickly you can say yes! Veteran vocalist Kimberly Brewer has toured the world and recorded three albums with Wonder. She has also toured with Earth, Wind & Fire, Julio Iglesias, k.d. lang, Vanessa Williams and many more. So you also understand why Stevie asked her! When Kimberly and smooth crooner Joe (“I Wanna Know”) recorded “Don’t Make Me Wait Too Long” the author loved it so much that he joined in playing his signature harmonic stylings! It’s a jazzy, contemporary adult smash that’s already had well over a quarter of a million plays on Spotify! What are you waiting for? 

Louisville native Marcus Click devoted 13 years of his early adulthood to the U.S. Navy – during which time he cultivated a passion for contemporary jazz saxophone. Encouragement from the late George Howard, Nelson Rangell and Najee ultimately led him to win the 2019 Artist Music Guild’s (AMG) Instrumentalist of the Year award. This in turn led Click to drop several charting singles and now his brilliantly diverse, percussively progressive and intoxicatingly exotic breakthrough album, BRAND NEW DAY. The spiritually minded collection includes a sophisticated, radio worthy Stevie Wonder re-imagining and dynamic contributions from multi-Grammy nominee Roger Ryan, Bob Baldwin, Jonathan Fritzen, and Japanese keyboardist Madoca.

Always full of stylistic surprises, NYC area pianist/composer (and former New England Music Academy piano instructor) Walter Duda followed his two previous singles with saxophonist Marion Meadows with his classical influenced piano and strings EP, GHOSTS OF BYGONE DAYS. Blissfully back in the ultra-melodic Smooth Jazz realm, his latest single “Got It Down” finds him in a passionate, soaring duet with Meadows (in tandem and then each bringing their individual solo sparkle) as his guitarist pal Al Ferrante takes the jam to the next level with a blazing electric solo, and legendary longtime friends Will Lee and Dave Weckl create a tight, vibrant pocket. On this cool remix, Weckl updates his drum track to deliver an incredible groove for a robust sheen on the tune. Mr. Duda indeed has got it down!

There’s a definite correlation between Stephen Duros’ career as a successful touring lighting director for pop legends like Toto and Olivia Newton-John and his emergence as a bright, exciting electric and acoustic guitar-driven recording artist with his mood swinging from rock to meditative and everything in between. The NYC-themed new album, THE MANHATTAN SESSIONS highlights Duros’ skillset as he artfully infuses his expansive musical palette with exotic elements of reggae and Arabic rhythms into pop and Smooth Jazz. The guitarist has absorbed a level of confidence and comfort in his signature blend of contemporary jazz after lengthy stints playing flamenco and gypsy flavored music with guitar heros Ottmar Liebert and Lawson Rollins. 

Having created a major concert series in his hometown of Ypsilanti, MI, where he’s produced shows from greats like Earl Klugh, Ashford & Simpson and Mavis Staples, the multi-faceted teacher, instructional guitar book author and Smooth Jazz guitarist John E. Lawrence has met and vibed with countless genre luminaries. Among them is Jeff Lorber, who co-wrote, produced and includes his trademark dazzling keyboards, tight grooves and sizzling horns to this latest single, the high octane jam “Velocity.” In addition to being an electrifying collaboration, the track is yet another masterful showcase for Lawrence’s snappy and adventurous electric guitar magic. 

The five multi-talented veteran South Florida musicians who’ve pooled their collective decades of playing funky soul, picante Latin jazz, swing, jazz etc. with locals and legends alike are promoting their full-length debut album Mood 1: THE MIAMI SESSIONS with a ton of colorful, breezy and beachy language to convey that their splashy, vibrantly melodic, alternately sweetly soulful and high energy stylistic fusion is rooted in the rhythmic joys and laid back lifestyle of their hometown. But beyond simply creating catchy radio ready gems, the hard-working quintet fire up inventive, intuitive musical conversations and powerfully emotive solo action to forge a fresh new sound in Miami jazz featuring guitarist Paul Stewart, keyboardist Felix Gomez, saxophonist/flutist Ron Fattorusso, and holding down the low end, Rafael Valencia on bass, with Goetz Kujack on drums.

Previously known to millions as longtime touring saxophonist for Coolio – and his appearances on the late rapper’s popular web series “Cookin’ with Coolio” - Jarez became known as the Mayor of J Funk City when his star-studded album with that title made him the first indie saxman to hit #1 on all SmoothJazz.com charts at the same time. He gets cooking on his upcoming album with this lead single “Everything You Do,” an infectiously funkified, fast thumping summer sizzler infused with Jarez’s emotional lead sax vibe, high-speed horn textures, and the electric fire of guitarist AJ Luke.  

Three and a half decades since his Grammy winning R&B band Club Nouveau scaled the pop and soul charts with their spin on “Lean On Me” and “Why You Treat Me So Bad,” singer, songwriter and producer Jay King breezes and romances his way into the exotic side of vocal Smooth Jazz with SOULFUL BOSSANOVA – a perfectly titled jaunt full of soulful island rhythms, atmospheric Brazilian sultriness and silky, intimate expressions of love, longing and regret. Helping King cultivate this gentler, more seductive side of his artistry here are hit guitarist Nils and King’s longtime collaborator, saxophonist/flutist Cal Bennett.

A master at blending genuine analog with computer generated sounds, veteran bassist, composer and producer Shawn Kingsberry likens himself and his varied musings in Smooth Jazz, neo-soul and classic R&B to the character of Morpheus in The Matrix. Capping ten years of single releases and EPs, the Maryland-based musician brings fresh, deep in the pocket funk-jazz dazzle and buoyancy to the classic late 80’s Karyn White/Babyface duet “Love Saw It.” In addition to Kingsberry’s throbbing, hypnotic bass energy and Greg Cryme’s sensual vocals, the track features the dynamic sax energy of the artist’s son, saxophonist Kyle Kingsberry.    

From touring, recording and performing with iconic talent such as The Rolling Stones, Prince, J. Lo, Etta James, Hiram Bullock and Randy Brecker, saxophonist Eric Knight has been setting the stage for his emergence as a powerhouse solo artist for years. Concurrent with the early success of KnightHammer, a Smooth Jazz duo formed with longtime friend Doug Oberhamer, Knight’s debut solo single takes a freewheeling, easy thumping spin through Gnarls Barkley’s Grammy-nominated smash, “Crazy," featuring a burnin' piano solo from Andy Ezrin (Chris Botti, David Sanborn) and an incendiary guitar solo from Marcus Machado. The track showcases the effervescent saxman’s soulful, funky and deeply melodic soprano and his inventive approach to horn texturing making "Crazy" as clever as a fox!

In 2022, four years after pooling their storied, all-star resumes in pop, dance and R&B, Mike Rogers and Gary Lefkowith – aka the multi-faceted composing/production duo Le Sonic – broke through with two #1 Billboard Smooth Jazz smashes. Two of those, the silky atmospheric ballad “Any Moment” (featuring guitarist Robert Lee) and the sensually grooving romantic gem, “I’ll Be the One” (with vocalist Lauran Beluzo) appear on Le Sonic’s three song debut EP, RIVERSIDE DRIVE. Stylized after Smokey Robinson’s “Cruisin’,” the jaunty, playfully strutting title track “Riverside Drive” soars with key contributions by trumpeter Jim Hynes and saxophonist Scott Kreitzer.   

Smooth music chanteuse M’Lynn is back with an irresistible new hit, “Safety Net.” A neatly packaged production that traverses a steep emotional grade. Proving once and for all that vulnerability is strength, as the indie pop, soul singer goes there… M’Lynn is all in. Channeling her curiosity and confusion to the greater good of  music crafting, the talented recording artist is working closely with Grammy nominated producer Emile Ghantous and Emmy-winning producer and songwriter Josh Goode to release several singles this year. Ironically, the latest song about learning to trust a comfortable, loving connection, offers a profound sense of comfort to the listener. Brilliantly fashioned to move your soul with its catchy, crisp arrangement and impeccable vocals, “Safety Net” is modern day musical gem. Go ahead, jump in, just be prepared to wear out the replay button.

Fusing his lifelong passion for music and love of animals, multi-talented musician, composer and producer Belton Mouras Jr. creates a fascinating multi-genre soundtrack and EP to his acclaimed short film “Mickey’s Tree,” a touching family drama about a teenage boy who follows various pathways to overcoming personal tragedy, including sharing adventures with a rescue dog named Mickey. He creates thematically illustrative tracks that range from the percussive and global fusion-driven theme to inspirational pop, funky piano jazz, infectious mainstream pop and rap. Mouras’s exhilarating piano is featured on “Mickeys Swag” and he also works with an array of talented musicians and artists, including world-class vocalists Craig Long and Laura Marina on “Sing To Me” and vocalists Ann Roach and Keith Stafford along with saxophonist Otis Mourning on the hit song “Don’t Let the Music Die.” 

The vibrant pink, green and yellow background and bright, multi-hued outfit Erisa Nicole wears on the cover of her slammin’ new single “Fresh,” perfectly reflect the vibrant, buoyant vibes, whimsically soaring melody and hip, groove-intensive flair the saxophonist creates with co-writer and producer Adam Hawley. Soulful and punchy, with a dynamic blend of grit and whimsy, the optimistic track is the latest triumph for Erisa, who has been lighting up gospel and Smooth Jazz stages everywhere from her home base of San Diego to The Apollo Theatre and gigging with the likes of Con Funk Shun, Elan Trotman, Jazz In Pink and Nathan East.    

Though he played more bluegrass earlier in his career, Art Ruprecht became a spiritually driven force in the realm of gospel inflected Smooth Jazz with his 2018 album CAST YOUR CARE, which ranked #22 on SmoothJazz.com’s TOP 100 Album Chart for 2019. On the vibrant, instantly catchy, pocket funk jam, “Peace Meal," his first single since 2020’s A LOVE SUBLIME, the versatile Joe Pass/George Benson influenced guitarist creates an explosive melodic duality with the hard driving sax of Fred Middlekauff on the hook, then breaks twice for extended, intricate electric string improvisations that take the track to a jazzier, almost surreal artistic level. The cleverly titled "Peace Meal" is a welcome romp in the world of Smooth, taking our current climate a degree or two warmer!

Strategically named after the classic Stevie Wonder album for its intoxicatingly soulful blend of groove, sensuality, romance, spirituality and imparting of life lessons, Talking Book featuring Jared is a unique R&B/contemporary jazz studio ensemble of four vocalists and five instrumentalists captained by songwriter, producer, and keyboardist Jared Johnson. The group’s eclectic, intimately inviting MUSE OF ISIS, VOL. 1 was inspired by contemplating the divine eternal life of the ancient Egyptian goddess as well as a nod to women’s basketball star Isis “Ice” Thorpe. As such, the collection features a graceful blend of sweet acoustic charms, breezy, Sade and Babyface-tinged neo-soul and reggae with comforting, prayer-like tracks designed for healing and uplifting the soul.    

With the release of his full-length debut P.O.V. (Point Of View), onetime prodigy Bryan (aka B.) Thompson - who overcame a childhood hearing loss to master several instruments – may be a fresh Smooth Jazz sax sensation, but he is already a 100M+ views social media sensation, recognized by everyone from Chris Brown and Cardi B to Mariah Carey. The multi-faceted 25-year-old composer/artist, who’s performed with Najee, Kirk Whalum, H.E.R. and is now touring with Babyface, brings a hipness to the scene with swirling, hypnotic horn arrangements, dreamy soulful atmospheres, and fashionable sonic and rhythmic touches featuring cool hip-hop sensibilities.  

At its divinely soulful, melodic, and easy grooving core, #1 Billboard Smooth Jazz charting group ThreeStyle is the Euro-bred trio of Bavarian guitarist Robert Fertl and Czech-born twin Chovancova sisters, Magdalena (saxes, flutes) and Gabriela (drums). Yet as their latest sweetly sensual album BETTER DAYS (the band's 11th album) showcases, each fresh batch of colorful R&B/urban jazz expressions reminds us that their incredible array of guest soul-centric vocalists is every bit a part of their uplifting, smooth and romantic vibe. This time out, the guest roster includes Damon Dae, DW3, Latonya Black, Tim Owens, Ashley Sankey and Elvis Stanic. The second single from the collection is "Living in This House," a smooth, laid-back groove that brings to mind the positive vibes of the origins of the genre. And be sure not to miss the ThreeStyle Jazz Radio Show featuring Smooth Jazz favorites as well as tracks from their albums!

While celebrating 30 years since launching his recording career as founder of the still active as ever, eclectic contemporary jazz ensemble Under the Lake, keyboardist Jayson Tipp – encouraged by band mate Quintin Gerard W – steps out in grand style as a Smooth Jazz solo artist with “Groove Together.” It’s a brassy, spirited and melodic, improvisation filled piano romp perfectly titled to reflect the swaying, high energy funk he creates collaborating with saxophonist and powerhouse composer/producer Darren Rahn. The lead single from Tipp’s upcoming album TABLE FOR ONE also features guitarist Randy Jacobs and the propulsive energy of drummer Tarell Martin.     

Prior to making her impactful and impressive Smooth Jazz debut with the brassy, gospel and classic R&B infused romantic funk romp “Sure Thing,” singer, songwriter and classically trained pianist and multi-instrumentalist Eva Vazzana shared her multitude of musical talents as a veteran educator, playing in pop/soul cover bands, serving as MD for musical theater productions and performing at church. The multi-talented artist’s career trajectory shifts now with this compelling track! Produced by Rome-based producer/arranger Maurizio Metalli, “Sure Thing” features ultra-soulful lead vocals by NYC’s Chrissi Poland and buoyant contributions by jazz greats Eric Marienthal, Gary Novak, Jimmy Haslip and Luis Conte.