Keiko Matsui

I just discovered this pianist today. It is beautiful music and very soothing.

Wikipedia: Keiko Matsui (�¼‹�ŒcŽq), born in Tokyo as Keiko Doi on July 26, 1961, is a Japanese smooth jazz/new age pianist and composer whose music and sophisticated elegance have propelled her to success and established a cult following among her fans. A prolific recording artist, Matsui's career spans three decades, during which time she has released twenty CDs (in addition to various compilations) and has received international acclaim

Wildflower - Amazon.com

Incognito

This should be a staple for all Smooth Jazz collectors, especially the CD "Eleven." It features singers Maysa, Tony Momrelle, Imaani, Gail Evans, and Tyrone Harvey.

My favorite cuts on this CD are "We Got Music," "When Tomorrow Brings You Down," "It's Just One of Those Things," and "As Long As It's You."

If you want to give a listen, Amazon.com has clips of all songs here,

Enjoy!

Keiko Matsui is a great jazz artist! I think I was in my 20's when I first heard her music.

I also like Incognito. My favorite Incognito song is Beneath the Surface.

Some of my favorite smooth jazz artists and their songs are:

David Benoit - The Key to You, Kei's Song, Urban Daydreams, Oslo, Life is Like a Samba, Promise Me a Carousel, I Wish Right Now Would Never End, Hermosa Skyline, You Never Love Me the Same Way Twice and When the Winter's Gone

Lee Ritenour - Dream Walking

Lou Pardini - What Might Have Been

Ramsey Lewis - Spring High, Whisper Zone, Love's Gotta Hold and You are the Reason.

Dave Grusin - Either Way and Friends & Strangers

Paulinho Da Costa - Seeing is Believing and Carnival of Colors

Tom Scott - Keep This Love Alive

Hiroshima - Roomful of Mirrors, Holidays and A Thousand Cranes

Don't really have a favorite jazz instrumentalist, but one singer I do like is Randy Crawford. There's a good video of her with the Joe Sample Trio singing I'll Fly Away. Brilliant in every way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax2xx6XyEA8

I forgot to add the others that I like:

Wilbert Longmire - Strawberry Sunset

Dick Morrissey - Dance by the Light of the Moon

Tom Browne - Weak in the Knees and The Closer I Get to You

Eddie Daniels - Linda's

Earl Klugh - Dance with Me and Pretty World

I get excited with new finds or great new CDs.

Everette Harp

I was unfamiliar with sax player Everett Harp and wow what a find. His lastest CD is a beauty, especially cuts No Bout A Doubt It and Back to Basics.

Listen to samples here:
_______________________

Boney James

One of my all-time favorite sax players. His latest CD is Shine, and it is one his best CDs to date. The first cut, "Shine" features singer Esthero.

Samples here