hey bro, didnt mean to diss the smooth jazz genre, cause i wasnt. in fact i do have a cd by warren hill a couple by grover washington and a lot of spyro gyra, and ill agree with you he has got a wicked tone. it goes to show that not all berklee boys go on to play in the traditional jazz format. i would just like to see women play a little more traditional type of jazz, i mean if women like ella, sarah, and billie could do that vocally, im sure women intrumentalists could do that to. i just feel every genre produces mediocre acts and exceptional acts, regardless if its smooth, avant garde, cool, bop, hard bop, pop or blues. kenny garret had a "pop" leaning cd (happy people) a few years ago, check that out, a great cd. The CTI recordings are great too (stanley turrentine, etc). Ben webster still does it for me though, no matter what era whe're in! later bro!

oh i forgot, eric mariethal to! check out his work with chick corea, and his more pop leaning cds on GRP.

Hey Mark, no problem. Thanks for clarifying, but it is so interesting how varied all of are with what we enjoy, listen to most of the time, and never listen to. I got started to the Great Britain Jazz with incognito, which brought me to Maysa, there lead singer. From there, it led me to Jennifer Brown, Dina Carroll, Shante Moore, Khani Cole, and so on. So sometimes, I just want to hear them sing. When I heard Warren Hill, my ear was used to wanting to hear a certain sound, and after hearing his CDs, I realized how seductive his style is. I had never heard anyone "Talk" to me in everything he did. Then I listened to his choice of notes, intonation, and licks, and yet he took many typical songs, like the Commodores Easy, and made you go Wow... He just does it for me. However, I think Boney James is extremely talented, along with the music of Ken Navarro. So, we continue toward expanding more to what our ear wants to hear. I never got into the old jazz, even when I was taking lessons (Like decades ago), and remember when my teacher wanted me to try some Coleman Hawkins sheets, I just couldn't play it. It just wasn't what I heard. The old jazz played for other musicians, not for the pleasure of sound. It was a kick of who could play the fastest, the most dissident sound, and most unusual licks. People like Coltrane, Desmond, just don't excite me. I wish you well however, and whatever your opinion, if it lights your bulb, then keep it coming. And,, as we say on my bike sites, keep the rubber on the road.....

incognito, thats a cool band! guys like patrick clahar, who plays with bill brufords earthworks and ed jones got their start from that group! down to the bone is another great group. i agree with you, its what gets you man! if its pop thats gets your motor running great! if smooth jazz is what makes you take notice, then good for you! im not one to diss other peoples musical preferences, coz its a matter of opinion and taste...its either good music or bad music. like what i said, every genre has produced its share of "jokes". maysa leak....hmmm, now thats a great voice, dont you think? her solo albums great! i guess there are some days or weeks that i listen to straight r n b (old school). then sometimes i can go on for days with bop(bird), even avant garde (i dig ivo perelman!) hell, i listen to classical too(Stravinsky). the only limitation one has is the one you give yourself! i guess with music you have to keep an open mind and feel it in your soul! i guess that was what coltrane was striving for...the release! all my respect bro!

You hit it right on the nail. Your thinking produces a logical direction for music. My problem with this board, and others pertaining to one genre of any subject is that I seem to see an arrogance about one specific taste, or a limited view toward what is enjoyable. Techinque is fine if it is appreciated by either the person performing it, or others. Much of the negative human characteristics derive through a form of envy, or jealousy. In that light, the judgement toward those in the limelight, like the Kenny G saga here, are not objective. Especially when you see those posting that they can play better. I wonder who really cares except themselves. Frankly, we are all trying to play better than we did the day before. But that is competition within ourselves, and positive. So, in the creative fields, I didn't expect to see the pettiness that I have seen here at times. So, as a compliment to your thoughts, thanks.