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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, out on the road or enjoying time with friends. I'm so glad you're here. So let's settle in, turn it up just a little, and let the music add something beautiful to your day. Kicking open the door to the countdown this week and up three spots, and officially joining the party at number 20 is a trumpeter, composer, and producer, who's been part of the smooth jazz landscape for more than three decades, with a celebrated solo career and a second musical home alongside two fellow jazz heavyweights in the powerhouse trio BWB. He's still bringing that unmistakable sound. Here's doing everything with you by trumpeter Rick Braun.
Announcer 5:21
We're counting down the 20 smoothest jazz songs of the week. The Weeknd Smooth Jazz Countdown number 19.
Speaker 1 9:11
That smooth spin was your number 19 song, and up five spots on to the countdown right on time by saxophonist Paula Atherton. 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 let us know where you're listening from. And look who made it past the velvet rope. Last week she was waiting just outside the countdown, and this week she's up three spots officially in our number 18 spot. This award-winning vocalist has taken her. Rich, soulful sound from her Miami home bass to stages around the world, earning acclaim for a style that moves effortlessly through jazz, soul, and pop. And whether she's reimagining a classic or telling a brand new story, she has a way of making every lyric feel beautifully personal. Here's "Everything Is Fine" by vocalist Nicole Henry.
Speaker 2 10:34
Feeling like I'm ready for the change. Feel the connection to this thing I can't explain. Oh, my heart is open wide. Each night I close 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 on your 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, ask the moon and stars for a sight, and by design I came upon this miracle that's mine. When you walked into my lane, 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 flowing like. the rainbow in the sky, and you're the reason why sometimes begins. now when you're around. Everything is fine. Yeah, baby, honey, son, go gross in the air with your own mama. Everything. Everything, everything is fine. Oh, everything is fine. Everything he does is magic. Every little thing he does, it tends to tend to tend to turn me off.
Announcer 14:35
Weekend smooth number 17.
Speaker 1 18:16
Finishing off that track and up a remarkable nine spots to your number 17. It's a boy by Bassus Jacob Webb. 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 let me tell you, somebody just cashed in on her safe bet last week. She was sitting at number 22. This week she's rocketed six spots to number 16. This award-winning pianist and composer has built her sound around elegant melodies and contemporary grooves, and she's no stranger to the bright lights of Las Vegas, where her music and performances have found a welcoming home. Here's Vertical Horizon by keyboardist Carol Alpert. You just experience our number 16 song, "Vertical Horizon, by keyboardist Carol Albert. Now let's shine the spotlight on a saxophonist waiting just outside the countdown at our Velvet Rope and making an impressive 11-spot leap to the number 21, but he's not on the list. This Detroit saxophonist and composer has been making music for more than two decades, sharing stages with names like Bob Baldwin, Marion Meadows, and Alex Buonon. After some time away from the spotlight, he's back with a fresh chapter, a new project, and apparently he hasn't lost a step. Here's Sunlight by saxophonist Shelby Brown. The
Announcer 28:07
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 28:25
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. Settling into the groove at number 15, he's a veteran keyboardist, composer, and producer whose signature sound has long blurred the lines between contemporary jazz, R&B, and funk. Always polished and always soulful, and unmistakably his very own. Here's Hepnotic by keyboardist Bob Baldwin.
Announcer 32:54
We're counting down the 20 smoothest jazz songs of the week. The weekend smooth jazz count number 14.
Speaker 1 36:33
We just checked out our number 14 song, "Dancing in the Sand, by guitarist Steve Oliver from the city that never stops glowing. The musical magic continues, and somebody rolled the lucky seven this week, making a seven-spot leap and landing at Lucky Number 13 is a British-born guitarist whose cool, sophisticated sound has been the smooth jazz favorite for more than two decades. With the chart-topping hits, unmistakable style, and plenty of groove, I'd say the cards are falling very nicely his way. Here's all the good times by guitarist Chris Stanley.
Announcer 41:03
Weekend smooth number 12.
Speaker 3 41:24
I play the street life 'cause there's no place I can go. Street life, it's the only life I know. Street life, and there's 1000 cars to play. Street life until 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 played 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. If you keep it young, your song is always sung. Your love will pay your way beneath the silver moon. Streetlight, streetlight. Straight line. Street light. Street light. Streamline. Strange guy. 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 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 home. 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 came back young, your song is always sung. Your love will pay your way beneath the silver moon. Springtime. Streetlight,
Speaker 4 44:49
streetlight, streetlight,
Speaker 3 44:54
streetlight, doodle, doo.
Speaker 1 45:16
Closing out that selection and up two more spots this week are number 12 Street Life by vocalist Mesa, and just outside the top 10 at number 11, last week's champ is still enjoying a little winner's circle glow. He began recording as a teenager, grew into one of contemporary jazz's standout keyboardists, and is an old soul who loves the 70s music. Still finds his way into that unmistakable fresh sound. And this one, it became his remarkable 14th chart topper. It's your number 11, Green Light, by keyboardist Nicholas Cole. 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 50:14
Headlining artist,
Speaker 1 50:16
the marquee lights are shining a little brighter as we roll out the red carpet for this week's spotlight. Who grew up surrounded by music, thanks in part to a father who was a DJ. But around the age of nine, it was the violin that captured his attention. Classical training followed, along with the time as a concertmaster, while the late jazz violinist Noel Poynter helped open his ears to what the instrument could become beyond the classical world, his journey would eventually take him from working as an IT programmer by day and playing Atlanta clubs by night to performing for Barry White and developing a fiery electric violin sound that cross jazz, R&B, soul, and funk. More than two decades later, we're pulling this one from his 2001 release. Here's Jumpstart by violinist Ken Ford.
Announcer 55:56
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 56:13
Welcome back. Our two is in full swing, and we have 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. And opening our top 10 with the biggest move inside the countdown this week-an eight-spot leap straight to number 10. He's a bassist, drummer, composer, and producer, whose deep pocket groove has supported some serious musical royalty, from Erykah Badu and Will Downing to Najee, and yes, that is his bass you hear on Badoo's acclaim live album. Eight spots this week, I'd say somebody came to play. It's your number 10. She said yes by Hubert Ives the Fourth.
Announcer 1:01:36
We're counting down the 20 smoothest jazz songs of the week. The Weeknd Smooth Jazz Countdown. number nine.
Speaker 1 1:05:51
That smooth spin and up three more spots this week was your number nine song, "The Phoenix, by saxophonist Huge Groove. A special thank you to our radio partners across the country for bringing the Weekend Smooth Jazz Countdown to listeners every week. Missed a 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 up one and settling comfortably into the number eight spot. He's a UK-born keyboardist and producer known for bringing plenty of funk to the smooth jazz groove, and this time he's brought along a saxophonist whose soulful sound has been turning plenty of heads on his own. Together, they've got just one thing to say: "Yes, sir. By keyboardist Ollie Silk, featuring Jeff Ryan on saxophone.
Announcer 1:10:48
Weekend smooth number seven.
Speaker 1 1:14:13
You just vibe with our number seven song, Simpatico, by Jazz, Funk, and Soul, holding steady in the number six spot is a soulful singer-songwriter whose musical story actually began with the cello. After 10 years with the instrument, her voice took center stage, eventually making billboard history and establishing her as one of contemporary jazz's most distinctive vocalist. Here's what is meant to be by vocalist Lindsey Webster.
Speaker 4 1:15:12
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 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 it's meant to be, be. When I'm out on the road, oh, every place that I go, I 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 only gain. What is meant before be will be. What is meant to be seen? Oh yeah, who you yeah I love. Who's to say at the end of the day whether or the two have weathered worth it or not? you forget? Who's to say at the end of the day? We're the rock that you have weathered.
Speaker 1 1:18:43
Sounding great was your number six song with "What Is Meant to Be" by vocalist Lindsey Webster. Now, taking center stage is our highlight of the week.
Announcer 1:18:55
Vintage smooth
Speaker 1 1:18:56
beneath the glow of the Las Vegas lights, we raise the curtain on this New Orleans-born trumpeter who may have spent much of his career just outside the spotlight. But take one look at his resume, and you'll understand why musicians know exactly who he is. He turned professional at just 16 years old, landing his first recording session with the horn section behind La Belle's Lady Marmalade. From there came years on the road with Al Jarreau, along with work beside Quincy Jones, David Sanborn, George Stuke, Whitney Houston, and longtime musical partnership with Marcus Miller, a master of both the open and muted trumpet, he's been quietly leaving his fingerprints on great music for decades. From his 2005 album *Blow* with Kenny Garrett joining him on saxophone. He puts his own stamp on the composition first made famous by legendary guitarist Wes Montgomery, with a little jazz history tucked inside. Herbie Hancock played piano on Wes Montgomery's original 1968 recording. Stepping into our vintage smooth spotlight this week. Here's road song by trumpeter Michael Patches Stewart. The
Announcer 1:25:46
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 1:26:03
and just like that, welcome to the High Roller Table, the top five. There are five tracks remaining, all smooth, all strong, and everybody at this table brought their A game. And taking his seat at our high roller table this week. It's your number five, a keyboardist, composer, and producer whose polished, worldly sound has become a familiar presence on the contemporary jazz charts. And for this deeply personal composition, he calls his longtime friend Kirk Whalem to add a little soprano saxophone magic. Here's Jalanda by keyboardist Greg Manning. Weekend
Announcer 1:30:47
smooth number four.
Speaker 1 1:35:03
Smoothly positioned was our number four song, "Ma Poodle Nights" by saxophonist Eric Darius. The lights are shining a little brighter as we arrive at your number three. And moving up one more spot is a pianist, composer, and producer who grew up with music all around her, she began playing the piano as a child and developed her foundation through classical training, and then stepped forward to create a contemporary jazz identity completely her own. Today, with multiple chart-topping singles and a sound filled with melody, soul, and unmistakable joy, she's built a musical lane that carries her own name beautifully. Here's Bountiful by keyboardist Kayla Waters. A powerful showing in the number three. The slot bountiful by keyboardist Kayla Waters, just one step away from the crown, and looking very comfortable at number two is a classically trained flutist who took that foundation and gave it plenty of soul, creating a contemporary jazz sound that's unmistakably her own, but here's a fun little twist: music isn't the only place she knows her way around a microphone. She's also built a career in radio broadcasting. Add chart-topping success, a passion for encouraging young musicians, and that joyful flute sound, and she's become one of contemporary jazz's brightest voices. Here's "In Love, Reimagine" by Flutist Reagan Whiteside. That spotlight moment, the. Along to our number two song, "In Love Reimagined" by Flutist Reagan Whiteside, 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 1:45:21
All bets are in. It's time for this week's number one song.
Speaker 1 1:45:26
And claiming the crown this week is Berkeley-trained saxophonist, vocalist, and songwriter who's never believed music or creativity needed to stay in one lane. She's taken that fearless spirit from contemporary jazz stages to touring with Aerosmith and even into the world of wine. Alongside her husband, she's blended two passions through wine and jazz, pairing fine wines with art and personally curated playlists. She's bold, expressive, and when that saxophone starts talking, you know exactly who's holding it. And this week, she is not falling anywhere. She's rising all the way to number one. Raise the lights. We have a new champion. Here's your number one song nationwide, "Falling in Love" by saxophonist Mindy A. Bear. Do you know what I mean? Do you know what I mean?
Speaker 2 1:49:00
It's amazing. Amazing. Always love with you.
Speaker 1 1:50:24
Landing in the winner's circle at number one this week. Falling in love by saxophonist Mindy A. Baer. 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 stay connected. You'll find me on Facebook at Pamela Black and on Instagram at Pamela's Place, where the music, the memories, and a little Vegas sparkle all come together. And thank you to the remarkable artists who filled today's countdown with unforgettable music, and to you, our listeners, for sharing this journey with us. Whether you're listening across town, across the country, or somewhere around the world, thank you for making the weekend smooth jazz countdown part of your day. And before we close the curtains, bringing a little fire of its own, she's an award-winning flutist whose soulful sound has made her one of contemporary jazz's most recognizable voices, teaming here with multi instrumentalist and producer Ryan Lavalette. This week's safe bet is destined to light up the countdown very soon. Falling into the number 24 spot, here's El Frugo by Flautis Althea Rene featuring Ryan Lavalette from the host who loves you the most mounds and mounds of caramel kisses until next week take care.
Announcer 1:56:03
The weekend smooth jazz countdown.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai