How smooth jazz took over the ‘90s

TL;DR

Smooth jazz rose in the '90s, led by Kenny G, then declined.

Transcript

Just hear me out. It's 1986. Oprah is interviewing sax player Kenneth Gorelick -- known around the world as Kenny G. "It's like you are talking to, and doing a few other things with this instrument." "Well I've never taken any music lessons so — " "Amazing!" " — I don't really know exactly what I'm doing." In 1993 he played at Bill Clinton’s inaugu... Read More

Key Insights

• Kenny G became the face of smooth jazz in the '90s, symbolizing its mainstream popularity and commercial success.
• Smooth jazz originated from the crossover of jazz into pop music during the 1960s, with artists like Grover Washington Jr. and George Benson.
• The genre faced criticism from jazz purists for prioritizing popularity over technical virtuosity and harmonic complexity.
• Broadcast Architecture played a key role in naming and branding the smooth jazz radio format, which helped its proliferation.
• The implementation of the Portable People Meter (PPM) in the 2000s contributed to the decline of smooth jazz radio stations.
• Despite its decline, smooth jazz provided stress-free music for listeners, especially in corporate environments.
• Smooth jazz's history includes influential albums like Grover Washington Jr.'s 'Winelight' and Herbie Hancock's 'New Standard.'
• The genre's decline was also influenced by economic factors and changing listener preferences in the early 2000s.

Questions & Answers

Q: Who is considered the face of smooth jazz?

Kenny G is widely regarded as the face of smooth jazz, especially during its peak in the 1990s. His music became synonymous with the genre, and he was known for his distinctive saxophone style and commercial appeal. Kenny G's success helped propel smooth jazz into mainstream popularity, despite criticism from jazz purists.

Q: What role did Broadcast Architecture play in smooth jazz's rise?

Broadcast Architecture was instrumental in the rise of smooth jazz by conducting market research that led to the naming and branding of the radio format. Their focus groups helped identify 'smooth jazz' as a fitting name, which resonated with listeners and facilitated the proliferation of smooth jazz stations across the country, contributing significantly to the genre's popularity.

Q: How did the Portable People Meter impact smooth jazz radio?

The introduction of the Portable People Meter (PPM) in the early 2000s negatively impacted smooth jazz radio. The PPM struggled to accurately capture listenership for smooth jazz due to its soft, ambient sound, which made it difficult to embed the necessary signal for audience measurement. This technological shift contributed to the decline of smooth jazz stations as they either changed formats or shut down.

Q: What criticism did smooth jazz face from the jazz community?

Smooth jazz faced significant criticism from the jazz community for prioritizing commercial success over artistic integrity. Jazz purists criticized the genre for its lack of technical virtuosity and harmonic complexity, viewing it as a diluted form of jazz that catered to mainstream tastes. This tension highlighted the divide between traditional jazz enthusiasts and the broader audience that embraced smooth jazz.

Q: What economic factors contributed to the decline of smooth jazz?

Economic factors, particularly the downturn in the early 2000s, contributed to the decline of smooth jazz. As the economy struggled, advertising revenues for radio stations decreased, prompting many to change formats to attract a broader audience. This shift, combined with technological changes like the PPM, led to a reduction in smooth jazz stations and its overall decline in popularity.

Q: What is the historical significance of Grover Washington Jr. in smooth jazz?

Grover Washington Jr. played a pivotal role in the development of smooth jazz, helping to define the crossover sound that blended jazz with pop and R&B elements. His album 'Mister Magic' exemplified this style and laid the groundwork for future artists. Despite facing criticism from jazz purists, Washington's influence was crucial in shaping the genre and expanding its appeal to a wider audience.

Q: How did smooth jazz appeal to corporate America?

Smooth jazz appealed to corporate America by providing a calming and unobtrusive background music that was ideal for workplace environments. Its soothing qualities made it a popular choice for office settings, where employees sought stress-free music to enhance productivity. Radio stations capitalized on this by encouraging listeners to request songs via fax, further embedding smooth jazz in the corporate culture.

Q: What are some key albums in the history of smooth jazz?

Key albums in the history of smooth jazz include Grover Washington Jr.'s 'Winelight' and Herbie Hancock's 'New Standard.' These albums exemplified the smooth jazz sound, blending jazz with pop and R&B influences. They played a significant role in popularizing the genre and showcased the musical innovation that attracted a broad audience, despite the criticism from traditional jazz circles.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Smooth jazz, epitomized by Kenny G, became a dominant radio format in the '90s, blending jazz with pop elements. Its origins trace back to the 1960s when artists like Grover Washington Jr. and George Benson bridged jazz and pop, despite criticism from jazz purists. The genre's popularity eventually waned due to technology and economic shifts.

• Broadcast Architecture's market research led to the naming of smooth jazz, helping it gain traction across radio stations in the late '80s and '90s. However, the introduction of the Portable People Meter in the 2000s, along with economic downturns, contributed to the format's decline, as it struggled to capture listener data effectively.

• Smooth jazz provided a soothing backdrop for many listeners, particularly in workplaces, despite its reputation as elevator music. Its decline didn't diminish the impact of key albums and artists that shaped the genre, offering a rich history for those willing to explore beyond its mainstream perception.