Smooth Jazz is a mix of Jazz, R&B, and New Age, with roots in the Easy Listening radio format of the late 60s/early 70s. When FM radio abandoned that format in the 80s, many instrumental music fans discovered artists like David Sanborn, Bob James and Earl Klugh on college radio. With the success of Kenny G in 1987, the new found status elevated Smooth Jazz from cult status to an established art form. --smoothjazzandmore
