Update (21 / 08): I finally found a new, suitable title for this blog. From here on in, the blog shall be referred to as MDX: The Mark David Experiment. Why did I choose that title, you ask? Well, blogging is often about experimentation, as is life, for the most part. Thus, I think it works, and I hope you like it.
And now, we move on to Part 2 of my commentary on smooth jazz. This part will focus on smooth jazz as both a musical genre and radio format, and the challenges it has faced over the years.
Wikipedia describes smooth jazz as "a genre of music that grew out of jazz fusion, and is influenced by R & B, rock, and pop styles (separately, or, in any combination)." This definition holds true to this day.
The smooth jazz genre dates back to the 1960s, only it wasn't referred to as such just yet. It began when jazz musicians began to compose jazzy, instrumental versions of songs that were popular at the time, a trend that continues today.
As the years passed, the genre eventually earned the name under which it is now known, and radio stations began to phase it in as a format. It gained popularity thanks to prominent artists like guitarist George Benson, saxophonists Kenny G and Dave Koz, pianist David Benoit, and many others.
Smooth Jazz as a Radio Format
From the 1960s through to the 1980s, there existed a radio format known as "beautiful music". This format consisted of long sets of soft instrumental music, with the occasional vocal song thrown in for added measure. Commercials were usually few and far bewteen. Unfortunately, the beautiful music format saw a heavy decline in the mid-to-late 1980s. Many of the stations that had once carried beautiful music formats had evolved into adult contemporary stations.
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The official logo of The Smooth Jazz Network. Many smooth jazz stations continue to use derivatives of this logo, often accompanied by their frequency and branding. |
Enter the smooth jazz radio format. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, smooth jazz became very popular, and was suddenly very much in demand. Many radio markets made the decision to adopt the format, often casting tried-and-true formats like rock and roll to the wayside so that a smooth jazz format could take over. A company called Broadcast Architecture would eventually develop a network of smooth jazz stations known simply as The Smooth Jazz Network, which is still in existence to this day.
The format continued to grow in popularity throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s. It used a structure that bore many similarities to the beautiful music format of the past. Smooth jazz stations were often played over radios in offices throughout the United States, and the stations often established a strong rapport with listeners through contests, concerts, and promotions.
Smooth jazz continued to reach respectable levels of success in many radio markets until about 2007, when the format experienced a significant decline. Stations that had carried the format were often among the higest rated stations in their respective markets, but all of that began to change rapidly.
Almost as fast as they had initially arrived, the once-popular smooth jazz stations were beginning to disappear just as quickly. This included the three stations that had been considered as pioneers of the format: WQCD New York City (now WEMP, an FM news station), WNUA Chicago (now a Spanish pop station), and KKSF San Francisco (now an oldies station).
Fast-forward to 2011. There are now less than 20 smooth jazz stations remaining across the United States. The majority of them carry Broadcast Architecture's syndicated Smooth Jazz Network version of the format, although a few independently-owned smooth jazz stations still exist in some parts of the country.
Here in Canada, smooth jazz stations are a rarity. As of August 1st, 2011, there is only one smooth jazz station remaining in Canada, CJGV Winnipeg (Groove FM 99.1). Prior to this date, there had been two, but CIWV Hamilton (now CHKX, a country station) has since left the air and continued its format online as Wave.fm. The majority of their airstaff - who are quite good, I must say - was brought along for the ride.
With many smooth jazz stations leaving the air due to an eroding audience, lack of ratings, and lack of advertiser support, several of the remaining stations chose to tweak their respective formats and become what is now known as "Smooth Adult Contemporary".
This new hybrid format combines the instrumental songs associated with smooth jazz with popular adult contemporary songs. Unlike smooth jazz, smooth AC is less reliant on instrumentals, and seems like a very much diluted version of smooth jazz (although the majority of smooth jazz stations do play at least four AC songs per hour). However, it is one of the few ways of keeping this format afloat in many markets.
The Future of Smooth Jazz
Despite losing many affiliates over the years, smooth jazz as a radio format is far from throwing in the towel and hanging up the saxophone for good. The Smooth Jazz Network-formatted stations feature radio programs presented by big names in the world of smooth jazz. Kenny G and Dave Koz each currently host nationally syndicated shows, as did Ramsey Lewis. Despite being well-programmed, they lack a local presence. However, using a format that consists entirely of syndicated programming is far more cost-effective than running a station with live on-air talent, etc.
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| Detroit's 104.7 The Oasis and Orlando's Smooth Jazz 102.5: The newest members of the smooth jazz family. |
Although many smooth jazz stations have left the air, others have continued on in an online platform, or via high-definition (HD) radio subchannels. In recent months, two new smooth jazz stations have launched on FM translators. Both are carriers of Broadcast Architecture's syndicated format. Detroit's 104.7 The Oasis, a reboradcaster of WGPR 107.5's HD-2 signal launched on April 11th, 2011, while Smooth Jazz 102.5, a rebroadcaster of WMGF 107.7's HD-2 signal, was launched in Orlando, FL on August 18th, 2011.
The remaining stations may be few in number, but I believe that smooth jazz can continue to achieve some stability as a radio format. Its fanbase is very devoted to the music, and although many of the stations lack a local presence, they still continue to provide listeners with the smooth grooves that they love. Whether it's at work, or chilling out at home after a long, hard day, smooth jazz will always be there for those who need it.
Useful Links
The Smooth Jazz Network (Official website): http://www.smoothjazznetwork.com/
104.7 The Oasis: http://www.1047theoasis.com/
Smooth Jazz 102.5: http://smoothjazz1025.com/main.html
Groove FM 99.1 Winnipeg: http://www.groovefm.ca/
Wave.fm (The new home of the former CIWV Hamilton): http://www.wave.fm/
RadioInsight (For more info about the launch of Smooth Jazz 102.5, and other radio news): http://www.radioinsight.com/
Wikipedia article on smooth jazz: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smooth_Jazz
Information from Wikipedia and RadioInsight contributed to the composition of this report.
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