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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're relaxing at home, or out on the road, or enjoying time with friends, I'm really glad you're here. Kicking open the door to the countdown this week and up five spots, and officially onto the list is 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. And long.
Announcer 4:32
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, "Mapudo Nights" by saxophonist Eric Darius. A special thank you to our radio partners across America for bringing you the weekend smooth jazz countdown each week. Miss the show? Catch our commercial-free podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. Just search Weekend Smooth Jazz Countdown, and don't forget to tell us where you're listening from. Up two spots this week: a trumpeter, composer, and producer with decades of hits behind him. He's built a signature sound that can be polished one minute and downright funky the next. And this week, he's got the first word as we get the definitive groove guide underway. It's your number 18 doing everything with you by trumpeter Rick Braun.
Announcer 13:54
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. My heart is open wide. Each night I close my eyes, ask the moon and stars for a sight, and by 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 disks for a silence, and by design I can't. upon this miracle that's mine. When you walked into my life, 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 blowing like a rainbow in the sky, and you're the reason. Sometimes begin now when you're around, everything is fine. Every feel baby, hug your sun go blows in the air with ghosts on my mind. Everything, everything is fine. Oh, everything is fine. Everything. little thing he does is magic. Every little thing he does, it tends to tend to turn to turns me off. Turns it, turns, turns, it turns me on. Everything in.
Speaker 1 18:06
Finishing off that track was our number 17 song in up two more spots this week. Everything is fine by vocalist Nicole Henry. The cards are still in play, and there's plenty of musical magic left to uncover as we continue our journey down the countdown, and coming in this week at number 16 is an award-winning flutist who traded in a career in law enforcement to follow her passion for music and went on to become one of contemporary jazz's most distinctive flute voices. She teams with a producer and multi instrumentalist who brings his own smooth blend of jazz, R&B, and soul to the mix. It's your number 16, and up two more spots. Here's El Fuego by Flautis Althia Renee, featuring multi instrumentalist Ryan Lavallette. You just experienced our number 16 song, El Fuego, by Flautus Althea Rene, featuring Ryan Lavalette. Now let's shine the spotlight on a saxophonist waiting just outside the countdown at our velvet rope and making a nice two-spot leap to number 21, but he's not on the list. This saxophonist has been making contemporary jazz for years, but here's a cool twist: that Doc, in his name, isn't just a nickname. Away from the stage, he built another successful career as a practicing dentist, all while continuing to record and perform. Here's "Chill Pill" by saxophonist Philip Dave Martin. The
Announcer 27:31
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.
Speaker 1 27:50
Welcome 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 the move as we step into our top 15 and up one spot this week is a New York saxophonist, flutist, and vocalist who once led the house band for a 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-it's your number 15 right on time by saxophonist Paula Atherton.
Announcer 32:20
We're counting down the 20 smoothest jazz songs of the week. The Weekend Smooth Jazz Countdown number 14. We
Speaker 1 36:13
just checked out our number 14 song, "65 Bounce" by saxophonist Walter Beasley. Now landing at Lucky Number 13, she's a classically trained flutist songwriter, producer, and radio personality who once had to be convinced to pick up an 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. Here's "In Love, Reimagine" by Faltus Reagan Whiteside.
Announcer 40:57
Weekend smooth number 12.
Speaker 1 45:01
Closing out that selection was our number 12 song, and up three more spots, "Skate On" by trumpeter Evan Taylor, featuring saxophonist Dave Cause. Now coming in at number 11 and up two more spots is a bassist, composer, and producer whose deep pocket groove has made him equally comfortable, holding down the rhythm or stepping into the spotlight. He's also one half of contemporary jazz's 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 49:31
Headlining artist,
Speaker 1 49:33
the marquee lights are shining a little brighter as we roll out the red carpet for two voices that seem to arrive almost overnight. After getting their first major taste of attention on a 1993 compilation, they followed it with a debut single that became an irresistible crossover smash, blending R&B, jazz, and hip-hop sophistication in. To a sound all their own, their debut album went platinum, and suddenly this duo was everywhere with smooth harmonies, undeniable style, and grooves that helped define an era. Here's the 1997 release of "Crush" by vocalist duo Jane.
Speaker 3 50:31
I need the sunshine in my day, something to wash away the pain. I saw a very gentle side of him that took my heart and made it sane. I wish he'd run away and hide with me. Love hurt so much more than it seemed. There was one thing I didn't show. I love him and he doesn't know. I wonder if I ever see the day. Will I ever find the nerve to say I love you? Good with he turn around, walk away? Will he leave or will he stay? If I tell him, he's the one who was in my dreams. Could he be the one sitting down for me? There was one thing I failed to show, faith-I love a man he doesn't know. Have you never loved somebody you've been loved somebody who didn't know? Ever you fell in love with somebody? Do you think of somebody who didn't know a love and he doesn't know a love and he doesn't know? There was one thing I didn't show, baby. I love a man who doesn't know.
Announcer 53:01
Bonus track. The 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 56:50
Welcome back. Our two is in full swing, and we've officially arrived at the top 10, where every song is a contender, every moment carries a little more excitement, and the race to number one is on. Opening our top 10 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 that she says helped shape her own musical journey. Her interpretation honors that original while bringing her 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 Lisa.
Speaker 4 58:00
play the street life 'cause there's no place I can 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? You 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. 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 one 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, streetlight, streetlight. Straight line, straight line. Streetlight. You let the people see just who you wanna be, and every night you shine just like a superstar. The time 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 straight line for a nickel or a dime straight line. But you better not get on streetlight, or you're gonna feel the cold. There's always one for sale. A grown-up fairy tale. Prince Charming always smiles behind a silver spoon. And if you came back young, your song is always sung. Your love will pay your way beneath the silver moon. Street light, street light.
Speaker 5 1:01:25
Straight line,
Speaker 4 1:01:30
street line, street line.
Announcer 1:01:52
We're counting down the 20 smoothest jazz songs of the week. The Weeknd Smooth Jazz Countdown, number nine.
Speaker 6 1:02:25
All the people you meet, all the places you 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, 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 forget. What is meant be for be be? When I'm around old every place that I go alone. 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 weathered once were dead 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 only get. But it's meant to be will be will be da da da. What is meant to be the D? Oh yeah. I love that. Who's to say at the end of the day? Whether all the two have wedded were fair or in vain? If you listen to the doubts you got in standing hair, you will.
Speaker 1 1:05:55
That smooth spin. What's 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 Weekend Smooth Jazz Countdown, and thanks for being part of our smooth jazz family. Moving into the number eight slot this week, she's 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. Here's your number eight, Vertical Horizon, by keyboardist Carol Albert.
Announcer 1:10:36
Weekend smooth number seven.
Speaker 1 1:14:46
You just five with our number seven song, "Bountiful" by keyboardist Kayla Waters. Soaring into the number six spot is a guitarist, composer, and producer who spent decades. Blending jazz with soul, funk, and a little electronic flavor. A musician who's never been afraid to experiment, he's built a career on keeping the guitar fresh while always keeping the groove up front and center. He's up six more spots. Two are number six. All the good times by guitarist Chris Stanring. Sounding great was your number six song, "All the Good Times" by guitarist Chris Stanring. Now, taking center stage is our highlight of the week.
Announcer 1:19:12
Vintage smooth.
Speaker 1 1:19:13
Roll out the red carpet, turn the Vegas lights on, and save a little extra sparkle for this one. He's a pianist, keyboardist, composer, and producer whose musical imagination simply refused to stay in one lane. And here's something you may not know: at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, he studied trombone, composition, and contrabass before those keyboards helped make him the unmistakable musician, his remarkable journey would connect him with everyone from Al Jareau to Cannonball Adderley to Frank Zappa and to Stanley Clarke. While his work as a producer helped shape the music of legendary. With jazz, funk, and R&B, and a little fusion, he could move through all of it and somehow make every note sound like home. Stepping into our vintage smooth spotlight this week is a true musical legend. Here's the 1995 release of *The Simple Things* by keyboardist extraordinaire, the late great George Duke. It's time that's fine.
Speaker 5 1:22:09
As time goes by, as time goes by, just stay away. You always be. Stunning Nourse by. So easy, I. Just see you. I love this thing. This time is fine. This time on sky. The
Announcer 1:25:23
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 1:25:40
and just like that, welcome to the high roller table. The top five. There are only five tracks that remain all smooth, all strong, and everybody at this table brought their A game. And taking a seat at our high roller table this week are three contemporary jazz heavyweights who have spent decades making music individually while bringing something altogether different when they join forces. We're talking keyboards, saxophone, and guitar. Grammy-winning talent, countless collaborations, and enough musical history between them to fill this entire table, it's your number five simpatico by Jazz, Funk, and Soul.
Announcer 1:29:49
Weekend smooth number four.
Speaker 1 1:33:59
Smoothly positioned was our number four song, "The Phoenix" by saxophonist Huge Groove. The lights are shining a little brighter as we arrive at your number three. And up five spots 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 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 bassist Hubert Ives the fourth. A powerful. showing in the number three slot. She said yes by bassist Hubert Ives IV. Now sitting just one step away from the crown and up two more spots this week to our number two is 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 and. A powerful sewing in the number three 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. One step away from the crown, it's your number two. Yes, sir. By keyboardist Ali Silk, featuring Jeff Ryan on saxophone. The spotlight. moment belonged to our number two song, "Yes Sir" by keyboardist Ali Silk, featuring Jeff Ryan on saxophone. And now the moment we've all been waiting for: the lights have dimmed, the Las Vegas skyline is sparkling, and the spotlight is shining on a brand new number one song in America.
Announcer 1:44:44
All bets are in. It's time for this week's number one song.
Speaker 1 1:44:50
Raised in Zurich, Switzerland, he discovered jazz through his parents before that passion eventually carried him to the U.S. in 2000. Where he made his debut on keyboards with Brian McKnight, beginning another chapter in a career that includes three platinum producer certifications for Universal Music Switzerland and several Swiss chart topping hits. But the story started much closer to home, when his mother asked him to write something especially for her. Well, he did. Then called an old friend, a Grammy-winning saxophonist, whose unmistakable sound brought another layer of soul to the story. And look where that gift has traveled. It's your number one song, "Coast to Coast. Here's Jolanda by keyboardist Greg Manning, featuring saxophonist Kirk Whalem. Landing in the winner's circle at number one this week, Jolanda by keyboardist Greg Manning, featuring saxophonist Kurt. 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. Tell me where you're listening from, and let me know what songs caught your ear this week. And much love to the 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, 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, Waiting in the Wings is one of contemporary jazz's most enduring voices-a saxophone icon with multiple chart-topping hits. Over the years, he's built a remarkable career as a performer, collaborator, and band leader. This week's safe bet now sitting at number 23 and knocking on the door of the countdown. Here's Hot Chocolate by saxophonist Gerald Albright from the host who loves you the most. Mounds and mounds of caramel kisses. Until next week. Take care. The
Announcer 1:55:41
weekend. smooth jazz countdown.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai