Smooth Jazz US 🇺🇸

Smooth Jazz emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s, blending jazz harmonic structures with R&B/Soul grooves and pop melodies, creating a genre characterized by its mellow tempo and instrumental focus. This subgenre found widespread popularity on US radio from the late 1980s through the early 2000s, appealing to an adult demographic seeking sophisticated yet accessible music for workplace listening. The decline of terrestrial Smooth Jazz radio began in the mid-2000s due to shifting music tastes, an aging core audience, and competition from formats like Adult Contemporary. The criticism of some towards artists like Kenny G, also played a role. This led to a transition towards online and satellite platforms, with SiriusXM establishing a dedicated Smooth Jazz channel. Today, Smooth Jazz thrives on internet radio stations such as SmoothJazz.com Global Radio and AccuRadio, along with streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and Pandora offering dedicated playlists. While its terrestrial radio presence has diminished, nostalgia and the genre's relaxing qualities suggest a continued niche audience and potential re-emergence.