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Hosted by Pamela Black, the Weekend Smooth Jazz Countdown delivers the Top 20 smooth jazz songs of the week from 91.5 Jazz & More KUNV — the best smooth jazz station in America. Broadcasting from Las Vegas, this weekly jazz radio show features the hottest smooth jazz hits, rising artists, and fan-favorite tracks shaping today’s sound.
Each episode blends expert commentary, artist spotlights, and curated music selections, making it a must-listen for fans of jazz music conversations, live music interviews, classic jazz radio, and modern smooth jazz playlists. Whether you're discovering new artists or enjoying familiar favorites, this countdown captures the pulse of the smooth jazz scene.
Produced by Jason Beatty and recorded at the KUNV studios on the campus of UNLV, just minutes from the Las Vegas Strip.
🎧 Subscribe for weekly episodes featuring the latest in smooth jazz, live music talk show energy, and premium jazz radio programming.
Announcer 0:00
From the KUNV Studios on the campus of UNLV, this is the smoothest countdown in America. This is the weekend smooth jazz countdown with Pamela Black.
Speaker 1 0:15
Welcome in, and thanks for spending part of your day with me. Whether you are relaxing at home, or maybe out on the road, or just enjoying some time with friends. I'm glad you're here. Kicking open the door to the countdown this week and holding his position is a guitarist, composer, and producer whose musical roots run through jazz, R&B, gospel, and Soul. A Birmingham, Alabama native, he spent decades developing a sound that's polished and melodic. It's your number 20, "Streets of Gold" by guitarist Eric Essex.
Announcer 4:31
We're counting down the 20 smoothest jazz songs of the week. The Weekend Smooth Jazz Countdown number 19.
Speaker 1 8:49
That smooth spin was your number 19 song, doing everything with you by trumpeter Rick Braun. A special thank you to our radio partners across America for bringing you the weekend smooth jazz countdown each week, mr. Show. Catch our commercial-free podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. Just search Weekend Smooth Jazz Countdown, and don't forget to let us know where you're listening from. She's a classically trained flutist, songwriter, producer, and radio personality who once had to be convinced to pick up the instrument that would ultimately define her career. Today, she's one of contemporary jazz's most successful artists, with an impressive 14 number one singles to her name. It's your number 18. In love, reimagine by Flutist Reagan Whiteside.
Announcer 13:52
Weekend smooth number 17.
Speaker 2 14:06
I am feeling like my world is not the same. Feeling like I'm ready for the change. Feel a connection to this thing I can't explain. Oh, my heart is open wide. Each night I close my eyes, ask the moon and stars for a sight, and by desire. design, I came upon this miracle that's mine. When you walked into my life, sunshine's peeking out when you're around, everything is fine. Everything is fine, baby. When you circle rose in the air when you're on my mind, everything is fine. Open to this love that's made for me. Opened and I'm ready to receive. Hoping to match the feeling that you give to me, you make me feel alive each night. I close my eyes as the moon and stars for a sight, and by design I can't. upon this miracle that's mine. When you walked into my neck, sunshine's peeking out. When you're homebound, everything is fine. Yes, honey, circle roams in the air when you're on my mind. Everything is fine. Everything is fine. I'm floating in the clouds way up high, and I'm growing like the rainbow in the sky, and you're the reason why. Sometimes begin out when you're around. Everything is fine. Yeah, baby, hug your son go bros in the air with ghosts on my mind. Everything, everything is fine. Oh, everything is fine. Everything's thing he does is magic. Every little thing he does, it tends to tend to tend to turn me off. 10s, 10s, 10s, it turns me on. Everything in that.
Speaker 1 18:04
Finishing off that track was our number 17 song in "Holding Steady, "Everything Is Fine" by vocalist Nicole Henry. The cards are still in play. There's plenty of musical magic left to uncover as we continue our journey down the countdown and talk about an entrance! This Grammy-nominated guitarist just powered his way onto the countdown with a six-spot leap, and he didn't come alone. He brought along a soulful saxophonist whose smooth, expressive sound adds just the right amount of heat to a groove with the title that's perfectly matches its move this week. Up six spots, it's your number 16 Power Move by guitarist Dr. Adam Hawley, featuring saxophonist Jeff Ryan. You just experienced our number 16 song in up six spots this week, "Power Move" by guitarist Dr. Adam Hawley, featuring saxophonist Jeff Ryan. Now, let's shine the spotlight on a saxophonist waiting just outside the countdown, he's holding steady another week at our velvet rope position at number 21, close enough to see the party, but he's still not on the list. Here's a saxophonist who's been making contemporary jazz for years, but here's the twist: that Doc in his name isn't just a nickname. Away from the stage and the spotlight, he's built another successful career as a practicing dentist, all while continuing to record and perform. Here's "Chill Pill" by saxophonist Philip Doc Marten. You just experienced number 16 The
Announcer 27:37
weekend smooth jazz countdown. The top 15 are next. No need to spin the wheel. We've got the sure thing. The weekend smooth jazz countdown with Pamela Black resumes now. Welcome
Speaker 1 27:54
back. The countdown is heating up as we enter the top 15, where every position is earned. The competition is fierce, and the race to the winner's circle is officially on. And making her move as we step into the top 15 is a pianist, composer, and chart topper who's already taken this beautiful groove all the way to the top. And even as it makes its way down the chart, listeners clearly aren't ready to let it go. Elegant, soulful, and unmistakably her own, it continues a remarkable run for one of contemporary jazz's brightest keyboard voices. It's your number 15, Bountiful, by keyboardist Kayla Waters.
Announcer 32:44
We're counting down the 20 smoothest jazz songs of the week. The Weeknd Smooth Jazz Countdown number 14. We're counting down
Speaker 1 36:57
We just checked out our number 14 song, El Fuego by Flutist Althea Rene, featuring multi instrumentalist Ryan Lavallette. Now making a two spot leap and landing at lucky number 13 is a New York saxophonist, flutist, and vocalist who once led the house band for Lifetime Girls Night Out. Since then, she's carved out a successful solo career, earning multiple chart toppers while sharing stages with some of contemporary jazz's biggest names. Versatile, soulful, and still climbing, she's right here where she belongs. It's your number 13. Right on time by saxophonist Paula Atherton.
Announcer 41:30
Weekend smooth number 12.
Speaker 1 45:23
Closing out that selection was our number 12 song, 65 bounce, by saxophonist Walter Beasley. Now, at number 11 is a bassist, composer, and producer whose deep pocket grooves have made him equally comfortable holding down the rhythm or stepping into the spotlight. He's also one half of a contemporary jazz duo that's been turning out smooth, soulful grooves for more than a decade. It's your number 11. It's a boy by bassist Jacob Webb. Before we step into the top 10, we pause the countdown spotlight for a special moment with one of music's most captivating voices. It's time for a dose of jazz magic.
Announcer 49:46
Headlining artist.
Speaker 1 49:47
The marquee lights are shining a little brighter as we roll out the red carpet for a keyboardist, composer, and producer whose music lives comfortably where contemporary jazz. R&B and Funk meet. He may not be a name everybody immediately recognizes, but musicians know the language. Silky keyboards, deep grooves, and melodies that never have to shout to get your attention. His work reflects the kind of sophisticated musicianship that's helped shape smooth jazz through the 90s and into the new millennium. So let's turn the clock back to 2005 and get comfortable and take this groove for a spin. Here's Skate Town by keyboardist Fred Smith.
Speaker 3 51:18
Come on, stay down. The windows of blue flying. Come on. People who steps to pick up the flyers, the people who steps to pick up the. The
Announcer 55:45
weekend smooth jazz countdown. The top 10 are next from the land of neon nights and jazz lights. We're back to the weekend smooth jazz countdown with Pamela Black.
Speaker 1 56:03
Welcome back. Hour two is in full swing, and we've officially arrived at our top 10, where every song is a contender, every moment carries a little more excitement, and the race to number one is on. And opening our top 10 and holding steady this week is a Grammy-nominated vocalist whose unmistakable voice has been part of jazz and soul for more than three decades. This time, she's revisiting a Crusaders classic featuring Randy Crawford, a song she says helped shape her own musical journey. Her interpretation honors that original while bringing the wisdom and life experience of her own remarkable career to the story. It's the first taste of her forthcoming 15th solo album, Milestones. It's your number 10, Street Life, by vocalist
Speaker 4 57:21
Mesa. the street life 'cause there's no place I can't go. Street life, it's the only life I know. Street life, there's 1000 cars to play. Street life, do you play your life away? Let the people see just who you wanna be, and every night you shine just like a superstar. The time for life has made a tempting masquerade. You dress, you walk, you talk. You're who you think you are. Street life, you can run away from time, street life for a nickel or a dime, street life. But you better not get old, street life, or you're gonna feel the cold. There's always love for sale, a grown-up fairy tale. Prince Charming always smiles behind a silver spoon, and if you keep it young, your song is always sung. Your love will pay your way beneath the silver moon. Streetlight, street light, street light. line, straight line. Streamline. Straight line. You let the people see just who you wanna be, and every night you shine just like a superstar. The type behind us played a tempting masquerade. You dressed, you walk, you talk, you're. Who you think you are? Street life, you can run away from time. Street life for a nickel or a dime, streetlight. But you better not get old, street life, or you're gonna feel the cold. There's always love for sale, a grown-up fairy tale. Prince Charming always smiles behind the silver spoon, and if you came back young, your song is always sung. Your love will pay your way beneath the silver moon. Springtime, springtime. Straight line,
Speaker 5 1:00:46
straight line,
Speaker 4 1:00:51
straight line.
Announcer 1:01:16
We're counting down the 20 smoothest jazz songs of the week. The weekend smooth jazz countdown number nine.
Speaker 5 1:01:45
All the deeper you meet, all the places you'll see in this whole wide world, you'll be bound to meet those who disagree, but who's to say at the end of the day, whether all that you have weathered was worth it or in vain, if you listen to the doubts you got get stuck in your head, you will lose it in the moment if you forget. What is meant be, be be be Every place that I go, do my best to take it. All the different people and the ways that they live, girls who's to say at the end of the day? Whether all that you have, whether it was worth it or in vain, if you listen to the doubts you got get stuck in your head, you will lose it in the moment if you wanna get. But it's meant be will be will be. What is missing? Bada. Hallelujah. Who's to say at the end of the day, whether all that you have weathered were fair or in vain? If you listen to the doubts, you got. That
Speaker 1 1:05:14
smooth spin was your number nine song. What is meant to be? By vocalist Lindsey Webster. A special thank you to our radio partners across the country for bringing the Weekend Smooth Jazz Countdown to listeners every week. Miss part of the show? Listen anytime with our commercial-free podcasts on Spotify, YouTube, and more. Just search the Weekend Smooth Jazz Countdown, and thanks for being part of our smooth jazz family. Moving into the number eight spot this week is a rising artist who continues proving that momentum looks good on him. And for his groove, he's brought along one of contemporary jazz's most recognizable saxophone voices-a Grammy-nominated hit maker, whose sound has been lighting up the format for more than three decades. He's up four spots this week, and it's your number eight, "Skate On" by Evan Taylor, featuring Dave Koz on sax.
Announcer 1:10:23
Weekend smooth number seven.
Speaker 1 1:14:13
You just vibed with our number seven song, "All the Good Times" by guitarist Chris Stanring. Sliding into our next spot and raised in Zurich, Switzerland, is a keyboardist and platinum producer who's built a career that eventually carried him to the U.S. and on to stages with Brian McKnight. But this particular story began much closer to home when his mother asked him to write something especially for her. Well, he did, and then called an old friend, a Grammy-winning saxophonist, to add a little soul to the gift. It's your number six, Yolanda, by keyboardist Greg Manning, featuring saxophonist Kirk Whalem. Sounding great was your number six song, Jolanda, by keyboardist Greg Manning, featuring saxophonist Kirk Whalen. Now taking center stage is our highlight of the week,
Announcer 1:19:14
vintage smooth.
Speaker 1 1:19:15
Roll out the red carpet, turn up the Vegas lights, and save a little extra sparkle for this one. This sensational artist came out of Queens, New York, with a trumpet in his hand and jazz in his foundation. After catching the attention of saxophonist Sonny Fortune, his career began opening doors, eventually leading him to GRP Records and a sound that blended jazz, funk, and R&B with irresistible swagger. Then came a groove inspired by his Queens Neighborhood, Jamaica, New York. Originally released in 1980, it became his signature hit. Topped the R&B. Charts and help define an era of jazz funk. Today we're spinning it from 1997. Stepping into our vintage smooth spotlight this week is a true musical legend. Here's Funkin' for Jamaica by trumpeter extraordinaire Tom Brown.
Speaker 6 1:20:23
Hey man, what's up with your friend? Hey Mike, hey Mike, you got that man, you got that man, man. Hey man, go ahead, take it to the cosmos. We're jumping up and down. So we check, Amen. The tail ball. So I'm spinning around and tracking that house and jumped on the.
Speaker 7 1:22:02
Jamaica, that's what it is. Let it get into you. Fucking for Jamaica, you see. to go, Jamaica Park-that's what it is.
Speaker 6 1:22:37
Amen. Amen. He is an ordinary guy. You always say you want a boy, one boy, you want a boy, who you want a bruise, never boy. I don't know. All he talks about loses, boasting, booze. I feel it inside my soul. There's enough to go find. over your ground, like it's you, laughing you well besides it's feeling
Speaker 7 1:23:30
fun. That's all it is, like it needs you. I'm ain't got fun, that's all it is. If you got both of David. Working for Jamaica, making you Jamaica for my own place. Jamaica, that's what it is. Looking for Jamaica. The
Announcer 1:24:45
weekend smooth jazz countdown. The top five are next, where the sax is so smooth and the stakes are high. Back to the. Weekend smooth jazz countdown with Pamela Black,
Speaker 1 1:25:04
and just like that, welcome to the high roller table. The top five. There are five tracks that remain all smooth, all strong, and everybody at this table they brought their A game and taking the seat at our high roller table this week, and moving up three spots is an award-winning pianist, composer, and arranger whose music blends contemporary jazz with touches of pop and R&B. With a career built on graceful melodies, polished production, and a style that feels both sophisticated and inviting, she continues to make her mark in the jazz genre. It's your number five, vertical horizon, by keyboardist Carol Albert.
Announcer 1:29:33
Weekend smooth number four.
Speaker 1 1:32:59
Smoothly positioned was our number four song "Simpatico" by Jazz, Funk, and Soul. The lights are shining a little brighter as we arrive at your number three. And holding steady this week is a Minneapolis-born musician who spent much of his life in New York City developing a groove-oriented sound built on funk, R&B, and one seriously deep pocket. A multi-instrumentalist composer and producer, he's known for his work on the drums and bass, and counts the legendary Bootsie Collins among his major influences. Here's a cool connection: his signature bass pocket can be heard on Erykah Badu's acclaimed live album, including Call Tyrone. Now his own music is making some noise. It's your number three. She said yes by Hubert Ives the fourth. A powerful showing in the number three slot. She said yes by bassist Hubert Ives the fourth, and sitting just one step away from the crown, with the song that sometimes the title can tell you exactly where an artist has been after stepping away from the road and recording studio for a much-needed sabbatical. This veteran saxophonist returned renewed and approximately named his comeback album *The Phoenix* after more than three decades of music making. His signature sound is still unmistakable, soulful, melodic, and always carrying a little funk in its pocket. And now the comeback has taken him to his highest position yet. He's up two more spots and sitting strong at number two. Here's the Phoenix by Saxiformis Huge Groove. A powerful showing That spotlight moment belonged to our number two song, "The Phoenix, by saxophonist Huge Groove, and now the moment we've all been waiting for.
Announcer 1:43:47
All bets are in. It's time for this week's number one song. The
Speaker 1 1:43:53
lights have dimmed. The Las Vegas skyline is sparkling, and the spotlight is shining on a brand new number one song in America. Here's a London-born keyboardist whose journey started long before contemporary jazz audiences knew his name. He began playing keyboards as a child and was already experimenting with recording and production while still young. Eventually emerging from Britain's jazz and funk scene, with the sound built on melody, soul, and plenty of groove. Along the way, he's become a sought-after musician and producer, collaborating with artists on both sides of the Atlantic, while quietly building a catalog and a following all his own. It's your new number one song from coast to coast. Here's Yes Sir by keyboardist Ali Silk, featuring Jeff Ryan on sex. Landing in the winner's circle at number one this week, yes, sir, by keyboardist Ali Silk, featuring Jeff Ryan on saxophone. The weekend smooth jazz countdown was recorded at the KUMV studios, produced by Jason Beatty. Chart data provided by MediaBase. Your playlist, your countdown, and your host Pamela Black. Let's keep the conversation going. Find me on Facebook at Pamela Black and on Instagram at Pamela's Place. Come say hello and tell me where you're listening from, and let me know which song caught your ear this week. And much love to our incredible artists who gave us the soundtrack today, and especially to you for spending part of your weekend with us from right here in Las Vegas to every city, to every station, and every listener joining us along the way, you're what makes this musical journey so special. So before we close the curtains, here's a smooth jazz heavyweight who joins forces with a guitar legend whose unmistakable touch has been heard alongside everyone. From Steely Dan to Joni Mitchell, put that soulful saxophone together with six strings carrying decades of Grammy-winning history, and you've got two masters sharing one groove. This week's safe bet, now sitting at number 23, is knocking on the door of the countdown. Here's story. by saxophonist Bonnie James, featuring guitarist Larry Carlton, from the host who loves you the most. Mounds and mounds of caramel kisses. Until next week, take care. The
Announcer 1:54:27
weekend smooth jazz countdown.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai