Where it Started

It was the Spring of 1988. Southern California; Santa Ana. At that particular time, for me, Marine Corps country. I was eighteen and far away from North Carolina; my home. My car, a Chevy Z24, and I traveled up and down the 5 and 405 daily. Musically, Cali afforded me the opportunity to be exposed to a variety of genres. One of which, was a genre that really caught my attention; Smooth Jazz.

During this time (for some), saxophonist Kenny G was considered the Smooth Jazz standard. I remember back home, Kenny G’s hit Songbird was a song that everyone liked. But the song that REALLY “hit” home was the ballad Don’t Make Me Wait For Love. While I enjoyed these two great songs, it wasn’t until I arrived out west that I had the opportunity to listen to and see a plethora of great musicians (and singers) in a format that really took off in the eighties.

The first smooth jazz artists that a fellow Marine introduced me to in SoCal were Najee and Larry Carlton. Their sound immediately caught my attention. Najee’s rendition of Anita Baker’s Sweet Love and the beautiful ballad Gina were constantly repeated on my cassette player (the good ole days), and Larry Carlton’s Minute by Minute and Smiles and Smiles to Go were songs that I had playing everytime I drove on the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway).

These two great artists started my deep affinity for the music and genre known as Smooth Jazz. Other great artists would soon warrant my attention. After my time in Southern California ended, I enrolled at NCCU (North Carolina Central University) and further expanded my knowledge of smooth jazz music as an on-air personality at my university.

While I left the industry back in the early 2000s, there still remains a burning desire to return to what I believe is my passion. This genre is unlike any other. And my plan is to express my sincere thoughts on why this genre is unique. I think it’s time to see where this journey takes me. I’m looking forward to getting started.