# I loves me some smooth jazz... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 5, 2014, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loves-me-some-smooth-jazz/706454 "2014-12-05T22:40:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loves-me-some-smooth-jazz/706454/21 "2014-12-08T17:46:17Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > Millions of people have dreadful taste. Being among them is not something to feel proud of. Many people say the same thing about cilantro. It doesn’t mean they have poor taste, just not a taste for that particular food. Jazz requires some study and can be an acquired taste; I can understand just wanting some pleasant music in the background, as long as I don’t have to think about it much. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loves-me-some-smooth-jazz/706454/22 "2014-12-08T18:07:57Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Many people say the same thing about cilantro. It doesn’t mean they have poor taste, just not a taste for that particular food. Jazz requires some study and can be an acquired taste; I can understand just wanting some pleasant music in the background, as long as I don’t have to think about it much. The point is that the argument of millions of people liking the same thing as me being evidence for its quality, is bogus. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loves-me-some-smooth-jazz/706454/23 "2014-12-08T19:27:19Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > Millions of people have dreadful taste. Being among them is not something to feel proud of. See? This is what I was trying to avoid. I am not a fan, but am not trying to slam it in a thread started to praise it. I just wish I knew what differentiated the stuff I like vs. the stuff I don’t - definitely like SCOTUS Potter Stewart on pornography: I can’t define it but I know it when I see it 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loves-me-some-smooth-jazz/706454/24 "2014-12-08T19:42:37Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > See? This is what I was trying to avoid. I am not a fan, but am not trying to slam it in a thread started to praise it. You’re right: it was tactless of me have posted something about the genre one might interpret as negative, as I did. I apologize. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loves-me-some-smooth-jazz/706454/25 "2014-12-08T20:00:44Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > The point is that the argument of millions of people liking the same thing as me being evidence for its quality, is bogus. Of course it’s bogus, but that wasn’t my point. What it’s evidence of is that I’m not unique in liking it. It’s a genre of music that resonates with a large number of people and probably for reasons that have little to do with why most people listen to music. IMO its popularity stems more from the warm, pleasant and occasionally romantic feelings it evokes rather than the notes it hits. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loves-me-some-smooth-jazz/706454/26 "2014-12-08T20:12:21Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > If you haven’t got it, try Benoit’s album “Letter to Evan”, particularly his version of “[On Golden Pond](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDHXZ5RFNiA)”. > > Yes, I did listen to quite of bit of this type of music when I was first dipping my toe into the wildly diverse world of jazz. I even liked (gasp!) Kenny G’s first album for awhile. I thank my wife for pointing me in the right directions, as she’s been a jazz fan for quite a long time. I’d been a fan of Brubeck and Getz since the 60s, but hadn’t tried anything else, so easing in with the above artists and groups like The Rippingtons and Fourplay worked well. Thanks for the recommendation on Benoit’s album. I’ll give it a listen. I, too, liked Getz and Brubeck (and The Rippingtons and the aforementioned Fourplay). I’ve enjoyed Kenny G’s music when I’ve heard it but never really got into it or sought it out. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loves-me-some-smooth-jazz/706454/27 "2014-12-08T20:17:30Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > Of course it’s bogus, but that wasn’t my point. What it’s evidence of is that I’m not unique in liking it. It’s a genre of music that resonates with a large number of people and probably for reasons that have little to do with why most people listen to music. IMO its popularity stems more from the warm, pleasant and occasionally romantic feelings it evokes rather than the notes it hits. I’m sure you’re right. ---
**Author:** ![Coriolanus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coriolanus/32/18769_2.png) [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loves-me-some-smooth-jazz/706454/28 "2014-12-08T20:29:06Z")
I used to listen to the DJ Ray White, on WQCD in New York City (CD 101.9) in the 90’s. It was good stuff to work with - and nobody complained. The only times we played something else was the month leading up to Christmas. I think I have heard “It’s Christmastime, Charlie Brown!” a thousand times. Vince Guaraldi is great. One of my favourites is Pat Metheny. I love loved his stuff, and in 1992 I bought his Secret Story CD, and totally knocked stuff off my parents breakfront 2 stories up (Infinity speakers and Carver Amps. I’d soon move out :b). “Cathedral in a Suitcase” is not smooth jazz. Yet one cannot help but crank it up to 11. I’ve seen him a few times, and he is pretty mellow. I like when he plays the fretless guitar. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loves-me-some-smooth-jazz/706454/29 "2014-12-08T20:48:44Z")
> [@Coriolanus](#): > > Vince Guaraldi is great. Agreed. > [@Coriolanus](#): > > One of my favourites is Pat Metheny. I’m glad I started this thread. You guys are reminding me of a lot of musicians I really used to enjoy but have sort of forgotten about since making the transition from the radio and cassettes in the car to iPhones and iTunes. ---
**Author:** ![Coriolanus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coriolanus/32/18769_2.png) [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loves-me-some-smooth-jazz/706454/30 "2014-12-08T20:50:36Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > Thanks for the recommendation on Benoit’s album. I’ll give it a listen. > > I, too, liked Getz and Brubeck (and The Rippingtons and the aforementioned Fourplay). David Benoit is really good. You will like. But the Rippingtons! I once won a $20 bet with a friend who thought they were 'ripping-tones" and bet me. We were going to the show at Westbury Music Fair. Easy money. 🙂 The opening track to “their Welcome to the St. James Club” is the music that will knock stuff off your parents (or neighbors) shelves. Turn the volume to 11! That whole albums is awesome! ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loves-me-some-smooth-jazz/706454/31 "2014-12-08T21:05:30Z")
I’ll be leaving soon and will be out the rest of the day, but based on the strength of this recommendation you can believe I’ll be checking it out as soon as I get home late tonight. Thanks. And yeah, the Ripping-tones…easy money, indeed. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Coriolanus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coriolanus/32/18769_2.png) [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loves-me-some-smooth-jazz/706454/32 "2014-12-08T21:05:47Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > Agreed. > > I’m glad I started this thread. You guys are reminding me of a lot of musicians I really used to enjoy but have sort of forgotten about since making the transition from the radio and cassettes in the car to iPhones and iTunes. I’m also glad you started this thread. Thanks! Here in Russia there’s nothing like Jazz or Smooth Jazz. I’m listening to Acoustic Alchemy - and in the middle of the song there’s a trumpet solo. And another. How good is that? https://www.youtube.com/embed/oZc2ixIutSc?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque&list=PLT8qJRmBylTFgtwtf_oTRsuYPeeTol7-i Kudos. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loves-me-some-smooth-jazz/706454/33 "2014-12-08T22:22:11Z")
> [@Coriolanus](#): > > I’m also glad you started this thread. Thanks! Here in Russia there’s nothing like Jazz or Smooth Jazz. > > I’m listening to Acoustic Alchemy - and in the middle of the song there’s a trumpet solo. And another. How good is that? > > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZc2ixIutSc&list=PLT8qJRmBylTFgtwtf\_oTRsuYPeeTol7-i](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZc2ixIutSc&list=PLT8qJRmBylTFgtwtf_oTRsuYPeeTol7-i) > > Kudos. Acoustic Alchemy is nothing to dismiss lightly. Their guitar work is pretty rigorous as is Ottmar Liebert’s. Are they considered smooth jazz or new age? ---
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loves-me-some-smooth-jazz/706454/34 "2014-12-08T23:22:36Z")
It is odd that… some of this smooth jazz can make your skin crawl, but some is so awesome! To me, there are two entirely different categories: fake noodling/real artistic endevours. So, thanks for this thread! A lot of good stuff. I have always enjoyed “West coast jazz” which is laid-back and non-aggresive. An example is Paul Desmond. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loves-me-some-smooth-jazz/706454/35 "2014-12-08T23:36:35Z")
> [@K364](#): > > It is odd that… some of this smooth jazz can make your skin crawl, but some is so awesome! To me, there are two entirely different categories: fake noodling/real artistic endevours. > > So, thanks for this thread! A lot of good stuff. I have always enjoyed “West coast jazz” which is laid-back and non-aggresive. An example is Paul Desmond. It’s a good transition into jazz, as some West Coast jazz walks a thin line between jazz and smooth. Other artists to consider are Art Pepper, Chet Baker, and Gerry Mulligan (to name a few) who are less aggressive for someone who likes smooth jazz. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loves-me-some-smooth-jazz/706454/36 "2014-12-08T23:45:29Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > It’s a good transition into jazz, as some West Coast jazz walks a thin line between jazz and smooth. Other artists to consider are Art Pepper, Chet Baker, and Gerry Mulligan (to name a few) who are less aggressive for someone who likes smooth jazz. Yep, absolutely. Listen to Teddy Edwards, Sunset Eyes. or Gerry Mulligan and Paul Desmond - that is some amazing stuff… ---
**Author:** ![LynnM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b2d939/32.png) [@LynnM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LynnM)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2014, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loves-me-some-smooth-jazz/706454/37 "2014-12-09T13:01:27Z")
“Smooth jazz” by middling musicians can certainly create a distinctive mood or emotional tone, and can be “relaxing and enjoyable and evoke feelings of prosperity and comfort.” But excellent jazz artists can give you that and more. In addition to Paul Desmond [Paul Desmond+Jim Hall], Art Pepper, Chet Baker, and Gerry Mulligan, try Milt Jackson [“Reverence and Compassion”], Wes Montgomery [“The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery”], to mention only a few. One irksome thing about the “smooth jazz” recordings I’ve heard: The production seems to be slathered in a continuous aural syrup; there’s no silence, as if musical “rests” don’t exist. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2014, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loves-me-some-smooth-jazz/706454/38 "2014-12-09T13:42:46Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > I just wish I knew what differentiated the stuff I like vs. the stuff I don’t - definitely like SCOTUS Potter Stewart on pornography: I can’t define it but I know it when I see it 😉 Surely it’s all about feel and expression. I know that there are players I admire technically but I defy anyone to hum one of their tunes. Particularly guitar players. I have seen guys play and been blown away without being able to remember a phrase they played. And yet, as a teen, watching Sunday lunchtime movies I realised that Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire were geniuses although I can’t dance and was simply chowing down on my grilled cheese sandwiches as I watched. As you say, you know it when you see it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-loves-me-some-smooth-jazz/706454.md?page=1)