Smooth & Latin Jazz

Since we've touched on the subject, let's talk about smooth and Latin jazz.

Smooth Jazz - Smooth jazz began in the 1970s but really took off during the 80s. It's style evolved from fusion but instead of energetic solos, smooth jazz emphasizes a more polished sound. It was heavily influenced by R&B, funk, rock, and pop music genres. The smooth jazz movement took these styles and added it's modern, electronic personality to the music. Instruments that became widely associated with smooth jazz are the soprano saxophone, legato electric guitar, and electric keyboards.

What's unique about smooth jazz is that it's sound is far removed from the classic improvisation. Instead, smooth jazz consists of high tech layering of synthesizers and rhythm tracks, which puts more emphasis on the ensemble rather than the expression (improvisation does just the opposite). Unfortunately, this electronic sound separates smooth jazz from all other "live" performances, which proposes the argument of whether or not the term jazz truly applies.



Latin jazz - Also known as Afro-Cuban jazz, Latin jazz is a fusion of North, South, and Central American sounds using jazz improvisation and highly infectious rhythms. It's Bebop roots are apparent among some of its highly complicated and energized compositions. Original traces of Latin jazz can be attributed to trumpeter-arranger Mario Bauza and percussionist Chano Pozo in the mid 1940s.

Latin jazz consists of a straight rhythm rather than a swung rhythm (something that traditional jazz generally has). This style also uses a form of a clave (a five stroke rhythmic pattern used for temporal organization in Afro-Cuban music) instead of a backbeat. The conga, timbale, guiro, and claves (all percussion instruments) are some of the usual instruments used to give the music a Latin sound. Other predominant instruments in Latin jazz are the trumpet, saxophone, and trombone.


Banda Brothers

Enjoy! :)

Takin' Five...