I have been a fan of smooth jazz since college. That feels like years ago now. Oh yeah, it was a lot of years ago, I guess. Anyhoo, I remember when I started listening to smooth jazz. It was overwhelming trying to figure out where to start. Who should I listen to? Who are the great artists? Who should I avoid? I don't want to waste my time with lame artists, right? Obviously, the best thing to do is just to dive in and find what you like. But where do you start?
I got you covered. Here is a list of my 10 favorite smooth jazz pianists. I'll also include some key tracks and albums to start you out on your smooth jazz journey. So light a candle. Dim the lights. And get ready to groove with the best of the best!
#10
Gregg Karukas
Key Tracks: Soul Kisses, Manhattan, Blue Touch
Key Album: GK
#9
Jonathan Fritzen
Key Tracks: This Way That Way, Temple of Dreams, The Standard
Key Album: Diamonds
#8
David Benoit
Key Tracks: Freedom at Midnight, Drive Time, Kei's Song
Key Album: Heroes
#7
Brian Culbertson
Key Tracks: On My Mind, You're My Music, Modern Life
Key Album: Dreams
#6
Gene Harris
Key Tracks: Sittin' Duck, Losalamitoslatinfunklovesong, Everything Happens To Me
Key Album: Gene Harris and The Three Sounds Live at the 'It Club'
#5
Bob Baldwin
Key Tracks: Summer Breeze, Stand Tall, I Wanna Be Where You Are
Key Album: Standing Tall
#4
Bob James
Key Tracks: Bali Run (Fourplay), 101 Eastbound (Fourplay), Since I Fell For You
Key Album: Fourplay
#3
Joe Sample
Key Tracks: Street Life (The Crusaders), Chain Reaction (The Crusaders), Spellbound
Key Album: Spellbound
#2
Ramsey Lewis
Key Tracks: The "In" Crowd, So What You Wanna Do, I'll Always Dream About You
Key Album: The In Crowd
#1
Jeff Lorber
Key Tracks: Ain't Nobody, Grasshopper, Do What It Takes
Key Album: Kickin' It
Want to hear more from these guys? Get our secret playlist called "Smooth Jazz Piano's Best" featuring all of these great players! Available absolutely free for Apple Music and Spotify users. Just click the link below and start listening now!