Herb Partlow

Biography
Press

Contemporary Jazz Artist | Producer | Composer | Multi-Instrumentalist

Herb Partlow is an acclaimed contemporary jazz artist, music producer, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and recording engineer whose distinctive sound bridges the worlds of jazz, funk, R&B, and hip-hop. With a career spanning decades, Partlow has established himself as an independent recording artist known for combining melodic jazz instrumentation with the rhythmic energy and production techniques of contemporary urban music.

Based in Charleston, South Carolina, Partlow is the founder of Superb Muzic, his independent record label, and Superb Herb Muzic (BMI), his music publishing company. A versatile musician who performs on keyboards, piano, and bass guitar, he also handles drum programming, arrangements, recording, mixing, and mastering, maintaining creative control over his original compositions and productions.

His latest release, The Renaissance Man, arrived October 16, 2026, marking his first full-length album in six years, following Next Level (2020). The 10-track project showcases his continued musical evolution, blending contemporary and smooth jazz with funk, R&B, hip-hop, and amapiano influences. The album features collaborations with saxophonist DeLon Charley, Rick Hurley, J. L. P., and Allen Omenka Webb.

Standout selections include the title track, "The Renaissance Man," "Midnight Cruisin'," "P-Shift II," and "Amapiano Vibes." The project reflects Partlow's commitment to expanding the boundaries of contemporary jazz while preserving the melodic sophistication and musicianship at the heart of the genre.

Partlow's recording catalog includes Urban Jazz (2011), Digital Future (2015), Future Jazz (2018), Next Level (2020), and The Renaissance Man (2026), along with numerous singles and genre-blending productions. His music has attracted international listeners and radio airplay across North America, Europe, Australia, South Africa, Japan, and Latin America.

His 2020 composition "Paradigm Shift," from Next Level, reached No. 1 on the SmoothJazz.com Listener Chart in January 2021. He followed that success with "City Lights," which reached No. 1 on the SmoothJazz.com Global Listener Chart in February 2026.

Throughout his career, Partlow has collaborated with a diverse roster of musicians and vocalists, bringing together traditional instrumentation, contemporary production, and cross-genre influences. His work reflects a philosophy that jazz must continue evolving to remain culturally relevant and accessible to new generations of listeners.

Beyond his recording career, Partlow is an entrepreneur and creative business owner whose ventures encompass music production, publishing, digital media, and intellectual property development. His independent approach allows him to retain ownership of his original recordings and compositions while exploring new opportunities in music distribution, licensing, and multimedia production.

His artistic mission remains consistent: to honor jazz's rich musical traditions while introducing its sound and spirit to a new generation of listeners.