Steve Cole: Chicago's Sound In smooth jazz, there has always been primarily two types of smooth jazz, West Coast style and East Coast style. However, there has been a growing voice out of Chicago that is giving smooth jazz listeners a third style that has a flavor all its own. Starting with pianist Ramsey Lewis, many artists who have worked with musicians on both coasts are starting to come together to bring the Chicago sound to a growing audience. One of the leading Chicago-based artists is …

Legendary sax man David Sanborn has had a steady influence in music for a long time. He has worked with some of the biggest names in rock and pop music, including Eric Clapton, the Eagles, the Rolling Stones, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Bruce Springsteen, and Stevie Wonder. He has also worked with jazz greats Miles Davis and the Brecker Brothers. He has also embraced hip-hop, working with Guru, and alternative music with the group Ween. Even though he has been an outstanding side man for ma …

With a part in Adam Sandler’s new movie and the release of her highly acclaimed CD ‘In Hi-Fi Stereo’, Mindi Abair is certainly on a roll. Consequently, when Jazz Review recently caught up with her, there was a lot to talk about. JazzReview: I was at a concert of yours recently and the audience was really energized. They were dancing and entirely electrified. As a matter of fact people were lined up to see you when I arrived. How do you get your audience so excit …

With its unique brand of fusion jazz, the music of Jeff Lorber has, over the years, transcended musical boundaries. By the late 70’s Lorber had already made a name for himself with his genre crossing sounds that contained elements of jazz, rock, R&B, and funk. This fusion won over a whole host of new listeners whilst later, Lorber’s popular ‘Rain Dance’, from his 1979 compilation ‘Water Sign’, found new life when sampled for mixes in the worlds of R&B and rap …

You're a 16 year old guitarist that knocked The Beatles' Yesterdayoff the charts with your group's hit Hang on Sloopy. In the 70's, you helped produce legendary guitarist Johnny Winter and traveled with his group "White Trash." You had your own solo rock career while also playing with such legends as Alice Cooper, Ritchie Havens, Todd Rundgren and Steely Dan. In the 80's, you also had a chance to perform with Cyndi Lauper and Barbra Streisand, and produced song parodies with We …