Smooth Jazz - R.I.P.

Lois Gilbert · February-6th-2008, 06:46 PM

I'm hoping this is just indicative of the demise the phrase smooth jazz

This just in: RIP Smooth Jazz CD101.9
Today must be a sad day for NY-area lovers of that other Kenny G. (from the CD101.9 website):

Dear CD101.9 Smooth Jazz Listeners,

The staff of CD101.9 would like to thank you for your support over these past 20 years of Smooth Jazz CD101.9. Due to a declining audience for Smooth Jazz over the past few years, we are sad to announce that Smooth Jazz will no longer be available on the 101.9 signal. On February 5th we launched an innovative new adult rock format on the 101.9 frequency called 101.9 RXP The New York Rock Experience. 101.9 RXP is a respectful and intelligent mix of new music, classic rock and alternative - we invite you to try it. If you are solely a Smooth Jazz lover, "Smooth Jazz CD101.9" will continue to exist on our HD2 channel. Just purchase an HD capable radio and you will be able to listen to your favorite Smooth Jazz artists for free as always! CD1019.com will continue to provide you with upcoming smooth jazz events in association with the HD2 channel, and if you are a member of the CD101.9 Loyal Listener Club you will continue to receive e-mail updates. If you do not have an HD radio and are not a fan of Rock, we invite you to try 98.7 Kiss FM The Best Variety of Old School and Today's R&B as an alternative. Listen to 98.7 Kiss FM for your chance to pick up tickets to the "Concert In Red" Valentine's concert at the Beacon Theatre February 14th. It's one of the many amazing shows coming in 2008 that you can find out about on 98.7 Kiss FM.

We hope that this note finds you sharing the same excitement that we feel! We look forward to many more years of providing New York with Smooth Jazz in HD, and The New York Rock Experience on 101.9 RXP!

The switch takes place at 4 PM Eastern time...

Lois Gilbert · February-6th-2008, 06:52 PM

As an added footnote... I worked at CD101 when Miles Davis died. I was not allowed to announce on the air without going through a hierarchy. I quit the next day

Smooth Jazz has done nothing for real jazz (whatever arena you want to pigeon hole it to - be it, free, bop, avant garde, etc) It's just an instrumental version of Muzak and while it's demise doesn't mean an increase to straight ahead jazz, at least this pablum crap won't be heard....

Squaredancecalling Steve · February-6th-2008, 06:53 PM

It's dead? How can they tell?

Mike Schwartz · February-6th-2008, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lois Gilbert

As an added footnote... I worked at CD101 when Miles Davis died. I was not allowed to announce on the air without going through a hierarchy. I quit the next day

Smooth Jazz has done nothing for real jazz (whatever arena you want to pigeon hole it to - be it, free, bop, avant garde, etc) It's just an instrumental version of Muzak and while it's demise doesn't mean an increase to straight ahead jazz, at least this pablum crap won't be heard....

TS Monk, I'd say, is spot on when it comes to this format.

His take goes something like this [Lois, if you can have TS check in here, he'd say it better than I can recall no doubt]

Some marketing types decided to kidnap the word "Jazz" some 35 years ago, and then proceeded to play, promote, and perform *instrumental pop music* pretty much ever since, including the near absense of improvising while taking the word Jazz hostage.

Lois Gilbert · February-6th-2008, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Schwartz

TS Monk, I'd say, is spot on when it comes to this format.

His take goes something like this [Lois, if you can have TS check in here, he'd say it better than I can recall no doubt]

Some marketing types decided to kidnap the word "Jazz" some 35 years ago, and then proceeded to play, promote, and perform *instrumental pop music* pretty much ever since, including the near absense of improvising while taking the word Jazz hostage.

He's currently at the Grammys I believe, but it's close enough for Jazz. I don't know about the time line though - 20 years is more like it. 35 years commercial jazz stations like RVR were still around and I still get email from folks fondly remembering me and WRVR. In fact, got one the other day. RVR was the perfect mix of fusion and contemporary jazz (i.e. Dave Valentin, Angie Bofill, Tom Scott) next to artists like Dexter, Woody, Horace, Lee Morgan, etc.

Mike Schwartz · February-6th-2008, 07:35 PM

It's probably more like 25-30 Lois, just consider that smooth was pretty soon to follow after RVR, and probably aided jazz fans supporting WBGO as a refuge from it, which turned 30.

Bill Barton · February-6th-2008, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squaredancecalling Steve

It's dead? How can they tell?

gonzo · February-6th-2008, 09:37 PM

i would be more than happy to play taps at this funeral.

Frisco · February-6th-2008, 10:42 PM

Makes more sense to have smooth jazz in HD. I mean why waste the hours of overproduction, polish, and shine over the regular airwaves. I like to hear my string synths crystal clear. And for those who can't tune in on an hd radio, forget KISS fm, just tune in to the weather channel and hear your favorites on your local on the 8's.

Gary Sisco · February-7th-2008, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gonzo

i would be more than happy to play taps at this funeral.

Just be sure not to swing.

A. Kingstone · February-7th-2008, 09:33 AM

Three cheers for "innovative new adult rock"

clinthopson · February-7th-2008, 12:08 PM

Where can I send a memorial wreath?

walto · February-7th-2008, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. Kingstone

Three cheers for "innovative new adult rock"

Quote:

a respectful and intelligent mix of new music, classic rock and alternative

Good. I like my music to be respectful.

Gary Sisco · February-7th-2008, 12:12 PM

Intelligent, too.

Bill Barton · February-7th-2008, 06:03 PM

If I can find Kenny G's phone number I'll be sure to give him a call and let him know that, no, it's not necessary to release that new album. In fact, we strongly suggest that he never releases another one, period.

xdonx · February-7th-2008, 07:17 PM

What music will they play at the dentist office?!?!?!

bernard lyons · February-7th-2008, 08:31 PM

What music will they play at the dentist office?!?!?!

Yanni?

Or,if you are sedated,your testicles.

gonzo · February-7th-2008, 11:34 PM

or have any chops....

Dr Dave · February-8th-2008, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frisco

Makes more sense to have smooth jazz in HD. I mean why waste the hours of overproduction, polish, and shine over the regular airwaves. I like to hear my string synths crystal clear. And for those who can't tune in on an hd radio, forget KISS fm, just tune in to the weather channel and hear your favorites on your local on the 8's.

Oh, dear Lord, please bring us back (just for a few minutes) the one and only Conan Nado, who used to do that very thing--listen to his favorite Smoothies on the weather channel!

jimmyginsandiego · February-11th-2008, 10:28 PM

Gonzo, my brother, there ARE musicians in the smooth jazz genre who have chops and are selling recordings to music savvy listeners.

-JimmyG

A. Kingstone · February-19th-2008, 01:05 PM

Oh oh!

steve(thelil) · February-19th-2008, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmyginsandiego

Gonzo, my brother, there ARE musicians in the smooth jazz genre who have chops and are selling recordings to music savvy listeners.

-JimmyG

You mean some of them have side jobs?

HenryMc · February-19th-2008, 04:42 PM

I come back here and find that the elitism still hangs in the air like the waftings from a nearby rendering plant.

It's just music (and they appear to have used the epithet 'smooth' NOT to be associated with that unpopular Jazz noodling stuff that most people DONT listen to or buy anyway)

Just remember this:

Though you may go to the Knit
and buy cds by ECM and hatART
you have to get them by mail
because they're never stocked at K-Mart
You may scoff at soft and smooth
say its weather channel stuff
and support guys on minor labels
cause they'll never sell enough
for the majors to take an interest
of even cut a deal
you'll say well at least they have integrity
what they do is real
Just remember for most people out there
except of you guys and me
they think that Jazz really IS
the stuff played by Kenny G!!!!

Squaredancecalling Steve · February-19th-2008, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HenryMc

Just remember for most people out there
except of you guys and me

Most people voted for George Bush the Lesser -- doesn't mean we owe them any respect.

HenryMc · February-19th-2008, 04:59 PM

Steve, which is EXACTLY my point!

GoodSpeak · February-19th-2008, 10:14 PM

Um.

Please pardon me for saying so, but because one NY station goes away from that smoothie stuff should not at all indicate that the sky is falling, er...rather, that Smooth Jazz is dead.

Plenty of that smoothie bullshit to be heard on the air waves. Disco made a comeback and [C]Rap is still with us, don't forget.

I apologize in advance for being a killjoy and for allowing people to realize NY isn't the Nation's conscience when it come to music decisions in radio. [Sorry....but there are one or two other cities in America.]

That smoothie stuff isn't dead yet...trust me. The empty suits in the recording biz haven't made their fill of money yet. Wait a bit until you offer your applause for said demise.

Call me spoiled.

Bill Barton · February-21st-2008, 02:46 AM

Yes, cruising across the FM dial here, it appears that rumors of its demise are sadly only that - rumors. Perhaps the rest of the country will follow in NYC's hallowed footsteps eventually. Or not.

Ron Thorne · February-21st-2008, 05:15 PM

Yeah, we're still filling one FM frequency in Anchorage with The Breeze, which is predictably filled-to-the-brim with Pablum®. And, don't get me started with discussing the on-air personnel.

GoodSpeak · February-21st-2008, 07:47 PM

We only have one smoothie station near us [Fresno, CA] in the San Joaquin Valley [well, there's another but it is 75 miles from here in Bakersfield] blithely filling the airwaves with Ear Pablum. Happily, it is out of range in my town.

twisted · February-26th-2008, 10:36 AM

You might be able to gloat that smooth jazz is suffering (and from a purely aesthetic perspective, I can't blame you), but here's the deal. Smooth jazz pablum has been paying the bills for straight-ahead jazz for years. Without strong-selling smooth jazz records to keep my inventory turn up, my purchasing budget has been slashed. I can no longer afford to take the kinds of chances on interesting unknown musicians and give their careers a boost. Major labels (scoff all you want, but it's their advertising budgets and publicists who get the word out to the masses and provide an entry point for the casual listener) have either turned completely away from jazz or trimmed their rosters down to one or two artists.