Articles by Smooth / R&B

Radio & Podcasts

New music from James Leibow, Lee Ritenour and a feature on Japanese Fusion

by Len Davis
November 9, 2026

We kick off with some new music from guitarist James Leibow, followed by a live version of the classic Captain Fingers featuring Lee Ritenour. We also have the latest from Japanese drumming sensation Senri Kawaguchi recorded live, and the Katsushika Trio, featuring the legendary drummer Akira Jimbo And we're staying in Japan for the remainder of the program, with a selection of some outstanding Japanese fusion. First up, Naniwa Express, followed by Korenos, featuring Mitsuro Suto, who also makes an ...

In Pictures

Spyro Gyra Still going Strong at Yoshi's

by Ronald Davis
October 30, 2026

A collection of photos from the Spyro Gyra concert at Yoshi's in Oakland on September 29, 2026 featuring Jay Beckenstein, Julio Fernandez, Scott Ambush, Chris Fischer and Lionel Cordew. ...

Interview

Boney James: A Simple Man And A Lifetime Study

by Sherry Rubel
October 2, 2026

Thirty-five years and twenty albums into his career, saxophonist Boney James is still thinking about melody, sound and how to get better at his instrument. On A Simple Man (Concord Jazz, 2026), he draws on the R&B and soul music that shaped him while continuing to explore the jazz vocabulary that has long been part of his musical life. In this conversation, James discusses the labels that have followed him throughout his career, the singers and saxophonists who ...

Interview

Enzo Favata: Coming Home to Atlantico

by Neri Pollastri
September 19, 2026

In Enzo Favata's long and multifaceted artistic journey, alongside his exploration and reinterpretation of the traditions of his native Sardinia, one project stands out: Atlantico, the group that for more than a decade, spanning the turn of the millennium, performed on stages across the world. It is with that same band, which resumed playing at the end of 2023 after a long hiatus, that Favata has released an album on the prestigious ECM Records label, with a deeply symbolic title: ...

Interview

Enzo Favata, Ritornare ad Atlantico

by Neri Pollastri
September 14, 2026

Nell'ormai lungo e articolato percorso artistico di Enzo Favata, accanto all'esplorazione e reinterpretazione della tradizione della sua terra d'origine, la Sardegna, spicca la formazione che per oltre un decina d'anni, a cavallo del cambio di millennio, ha suonato sui palchi di mezzo mondo: Atlantico. Proprio con quella formazione, che dopo una lunga pausa ha ripreso a suonare alla fine del 2023, Favata ha appena pubblicato un disco per la prestigiosa etichetta ECM, dal titolo fortemente simbolico: Ritornare. Il ...

Live Review

Take 6 at Miner Auditorium

by Steven Roby
August 19, 2026

Take 6 Miner Auditorium SFJAZZ Summer Sessions 2026, four-night residency, Aug. 13--16, 2026 San Francisco, CA August 16, 2026Four decades in, Take 6 still builds its sound on close listening, disciplined arranging, shared history, and a belief that melody outranks everything else. Across an afternoon masterclass, a conversation with founder Claude McKnight, and the closing night of a four-night SFJAZZ residency, the group laid out the blueprint. Then six voices showed how to make it ...

Radio & Podcasts

Spreading Love for 40 Years: Claude McKnight of Take 6

by Steven Roby
August 11, 2026

Host Steve Roby sits down with Claude McKnight, founding member of the legendary a cappella group Take 6. With 10 Grammy Awards, 10 Dove Awards, and a spot in the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, Take 6 has spent more than four decades redefining what the human voice can do. McKnight previews the group's forthcoming record, featuring collaborations with Snarky Puppy, Dirty Loops, drummer J.R. Robinson, and trumpeter Chris Botti, plus an inventive take on Dave Brubeck's “Take Five." Expect ...

In Pictures

Asbury Park Jazz Festival 2026

by Tanja Momcilovic
July 22, 2026

A collection of photos from the Asbury Jazz Festival in City of Asbury Park on June 28th, 2026 featuring Marel Hidalgo, Reza Khan, Bill Heller, Matt King, Mark Egan, Antoine Knight, Cliff Almond, Aron Heick, Nick Stefanacci, Dee Brown, Ragan Whiteside and Paula Atherton. After more a decade away Asbury Park Jazz Festival returns at Sunset Park. It was a privilege to witness the full day festival. ...

Radio & Podcasts

Bob Reynolds, Andy James, Harvie S. & Aubrey Johnson

by Joe Dimino
March 22, 2026

We launch the milestone 950th episode of Neon Jazz with a soaring start from the husband-and-wife duo The Wild Blue Herons, featuring Bill Sample and Darlene Cooper, and music from their heartfelt 2026 album It's All About Love. From there, the hour unfolds with powerful new sounds from seasoned jazz masters like Sam Yahel, Eyal Vilner, Bob Reynolds, Harvie S, and Homero Alvarez. We also shine a bright spotlight on rising momentum from artists making waves on the charts, including ...

Radio & Podcasts

The Getdown, Amy Gadiaga, FonvilleXFribush, Mario Canonge & More

by Ludovico Granvassu
February 3, 2026

Enjoy a playlist featuring some of the artists who traveled to New York to reshape the city's soundscape during the Winter JazzFest.Happy Listening!Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Amy Gadiaga “Petite" All Black Everything (Jazz re:freshed) 0:16 Host talks 6:03 Corey Fonville, Sam Fribush, Morgan Burrs “I Couldn't Love You More" I Couldn't Love You More 8:54 The Getdown “Spirit of Five" The Getdown (Artwork) 16:18 Host talks 20:26 ...