TRANSCRIPT 🔗
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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.
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Welcome in. Whether you're relaxing at home, out on the road, or spending time with someone special. I'm so glad we're together. We've got the top 20 smooth jazz songs in America, and two hours of incredible music and plenty of good vibes ahead. So, kicking off our countdown at number 20 today from sharing the stage with Chardae, Rod Stewart, and the legendary group War to co-writing REO's Speed Wagon top 20 hit here with me. This extraordinary trumpeter has done it all with more than 20 smooth jazz number one hits and two Galvin Report Artist of the Year honors. His musical legacy just keeps growing. It's your number 20, doing everything with you by trumpeter Rick Braun.
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We're counting down the 20 smoothest jazz songs of the week. The Weekend Smooth Jazz Countdown, number 19.
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Watch out!
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That smooth spin was your number 19 song, "Vertical Horizon" by keyboardist Carol Alpert. A little love to our radio partners across America for sharing the weekend smooth jazz countdown with you each week. If you missed the show, our commercial-free podcast is always waiting on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. Just search Weekend Smooth Jazz Countdown and be sure to tell us where you're listening from. We'd love to hear from you. He's kept the beat for some of music's most recognizable voices, from John Legend and Regina Bell to Mesa and the legendary Gato Barbieri. Now this seasoned drummer steps into the spotlight, joined by the Grammy-nominated guitarist behind Special Effects. Here's "Looking at Her" by drummer Tim Hudson, featuring Chielle Manucci on guitar.
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We. Weekend Smooth Number 17. Weekend smooth number 17
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Finishing off that track was our number 17 song, "She Said Yes" by bassist Herbert Ives the Fourth. The cards are still in play. The good vibes are flowing, and there's plenty of musical magic left at the table. Well, look who made it past the velvet rope! After spending two consecutive weeks as our safe bet at number 22, we told you he was just two steps away from joining the party, and apparently he wasn't waiting for an invitation. This soulful saxophonist just climbed six spots, bringing his signature energy and smooth grooves straight onto the countdown. It's your number 16 for everlasting by saxophonist Will Donato. Finishing You just experience our number 16 song, Foreverlasting, by saxophonist Will Donato. Now let's shine the spotlight on a saxophonist who's waiting just outside the countdown at the Velvet Rope at number 24, but he's still not on the list. He's a saxophonist, composer, and producer who's built an impressive career blending contemporary jazz with a little R and B attitude. And with a song like this, you know he's not showing up quietly. Here's Boss by saxophonist Jacqueen Joyner. You just experience our number 16 song
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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 his move as we step into the top 15 is a talented drummer and percussionist whose contemporary jazz sound is reaching listeners well beyond American shores, including smooth jazz audiences in Europe. Climbing another two spots this week, he's joined by a gifted Detroit saxophonist and producer, whose musical journey includes a special connection to the legendary Grover Washington Jr. It's a beautiful meeting of rhythm and melody, and the momentum keeps building. It's your number 15, Evermore by Jeff Webb, featuring saxophonist Randy Scott. The weekend jazz countdown. The top 15 are next.
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No need to spin the wheel. We've got the sure thing. The weekend smooth jazz countdown with Pamela Black resumes now.
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We're counting down the 20 smoothest jazz songs of the week, the weekend smooth jazz count number 14. We're counting down the 20 smoothest jazz songs of the week: the Weekend
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We just checked out our number 14 song, Sympathico by Jazz, Funk, and Soul, and now sliding into Lucky Number 13 is a gifted guitarist, composer, and producer who hails from Birmingham, Alabama, bringing a little Southern soul to contemporary jazz. With a recording career spanning more than three decades, he's developed a signature sound that blends smooth jazz, R and B in a healthy helping of funk, and he's keeping that groove alive at number 13. Here's Streets of Gold by guitarist Eric Essex.
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Weekend smooth number 12.
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Closing out that selection was our number 12 song, "Gridlock" by BPM. This Georgia-based saxophonist and composer has spent years building his reputation as an independent recording artist, drawing inspiration. From saxophone greats George Howard and Grover Washington Jr., and he's finding plenty of love on the charts, climbing four more spots this week. It's your number 11. Never go away by saxophonist D. Lucas. 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.
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Headlining artist.
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The marquee lights are shining a little brighter as we roll out the carpet for a remarkable musician who was practically born into music business. Her father was a touring saxophonist, and by the age of eight, she was following in his footsteps. A Berkeley graduate and a two-time Grammy nominee, she shared stages with Duran Duran and Aerosmith. In fact. Stephen Tyler invited her to tour with Aerosmith after seeing her perform on American Idol. And here's a delicious twist: she and her husband have also ventured into the world of wine, creating
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experiences that bring music and wine lovers together, from the concert stages to the tasting room. This lady knows how to entertain. Here's the joint by saxophonist Mindy A. Bear. The
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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.
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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. And opening our top 10 is a lady who's proving that a little determination can turn the impossible into something extraordinary. This Houston-born singer and songwriter has been making her mark with a beautiful blend of contemporary R and B, soul, and smooth jazz. With a voice that's both powerful and wonderfully expressive, she's carving out her own place in the world of music. She's up four more spots and has earned a seat at our top 10 table. Here's Impossible by Tanya Nolan.
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We gon' do this always with you here by my side. I'm opening up all my doors. Come on in, it's all real. I'm just in my heart, darling. Just in you in my heart, impossible you sing. I'm about to show that I'm here to stay. Impossible using up the mountain home right away. I'm about to show that I'm here to stay. Impossible. Impossible. It's okay. We gon' do this our way. I wanna lose some of my life with you here by my side. I lift up all my toes, come on in. Impossible, you say I'm coming home right away. I've been waiting all day long, baby. I'm the show that I'm here to save you. I'm 'bout to show that I'm here to say.
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We're counting down the 20 smoothest jazz songs of the week. The weekend smooth jazz countdown number nine.
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That smooth spin was your number nine song, and up one more spot this week, "Chill Pill" by saxophonist Philip Doc Martin. Big appreciation to our wonderful radio partners from coast to coast, who bring you the Weekend Smooth Jazz Countdown each week. And whenever you're listening, we're so glad you're along for the ride. Missed a little of the magic? Our commercial-free podcast is just a click away on Spotify, YouTube, and more. Simply search Weekend smooth jazz countdown, and thanks for making us part of your weekend. Our next artist brings a little British sophistication to the countdown. Born in England and trained at the London College of Music, this accomplished guitarist eventually made it to Los Angeles, where this was his musical home. Building a career that blends contemporary jazz soul and irresistible grooves, and he's keeping those good times rolling right here at our top 10. It's your number eight, all the good times by guitarist Chris Stanring. We.
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Weekend smooth number seven.
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You just vibe with our number seven song, "Skate On" by trumpeter Evan Taylor, featuring saxophonist Dave Cause. He's more than a master of the bass guitar. This gifted musician is also a composer, producer, and one half of the contemporary jazz duo, the JT Project. Whether he's laying down a funky bassline or creating melodies of his own, he knows how to make every note count. And this week, he's got something special to celebrate. It's your number six. It's a boy by bassist Jacob Webb. You just vibe with Sounding great was your number six song. It's a boy by bassist Jacob Webb. Now taking center stage is our highlight of the week.
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Vintage smooth.
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Roll out the red carpet, turn up the Las Vegas lights, and save a little extra sparkle for the spotlight that shines on a British music legend whose extraordinary career began long before the world knew his name. A former schoolteacher and jazz bassist, he rose to international fame as the frontman of the police before launching a remarkable solo career with 17 Grammy Awards and a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, his artistry has crossed generations and musical boundaries. And here's a little fun twist: his famous nickname came from a black and yellow striped sweater that made him look like a bee. In 1999, he lent his distinctive voice to an Oscar-winning classic originally written for the 1968 film *The Thomas Crown Affair* and beautifully revived its remake. Stepping into our vintage smooth spotlight this week is a true musical legend. Here's Windmills of Your Mind by the one and only Sting.
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Like a wheel within a wheel, never ending or beginning, on an ever spinning wheel. Like a snowball down a mountain or a carnival balloon. Like a carousel that's burning, running rings around the room. Like a clock whose hands are sweeping past the minutes of his face, and the world is like an apple whirling silently in space, like the circles that you find in the windmills of your mind, like a tunnel that you follow through a tunnel of its own, down a hollow to a cavern where the sun has never shone. Like a door that keeps revolving in a half-forgotten dream, are the ripples from a pebble someone tosses in a stream like a clock whose hands are sweeping past the minutes of his face, and the world is like an apple rolling silently in space, like the circles that you find in the windmills of your mind. Is that jingle in your pocket? Where's the jangle in your head? Why does summer go so quickly? Was it something that you said? Lovers walk along the shore and leave their footprints in the sand. Is the sound of disjunct drumming? Just the fingers of your head, pictures hanging in a hallway, and the fragments of this song have remembered names and faces. But to whom do they belong? When you knew that it was over, were you suddenly aware that the autumn leaves were turning to the color of her hair, like a circle in a spiral, like a wheel within a wheel, never ending or beginning, on an ever spinning reel as the
images unwind, like the circles that you find in the windmills of your mind, pictures hanging in a hallway, and the fragments of the song, half remembered names and faces, but to whom do they belong when you knew that it was over? Were you suddenly aware that the autumn leaves were turning to the color of her hair, like a circle and spiral, like a wheel within a wheel, never ending or beginning, on an ever-spinning reel as the images unwind like the circles that you find in the windmills of your mind. The
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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,
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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 brought their A game and taken a seat at our high roller table this week is a remarkable musician who's a New York-based saxophonist, vocalist, and composer. She shared the stage with jazz greats, including the Rippingtons and Kile Minucci, building a career that blends soulful melodies with contemporary jazz sophistication, and after years of making beautiful music, she's proving that success has its own perfect timing. It's your number five, right on time, by saxophonist Paula Atherton.
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Weekend smooth number four.
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Smoothly positioned was our number four song, "Power Move," by guitarist Dr. Adam Holly, featuring saxophonist Jeff Ryan. The temperature is rising as we enter our top three, this season Flutist spent 11 years wearing a deputy sheriff's badge by day and lighting up Detroit's jazz clubs by night. The daughter of one of the Motown's original Funk Brothers, this powerhouse Flutist made Billboard history with her number one hit in the flow. Now joined by gifted guitarist Ryan Lavalette, she's climbing two more spots and bringing some serious fire to our top three. It's your number three, El Fuego by Flautas Althea Renee. Smoothly position was our number four song A powerful showing in the number three slot, El Fuego, by Flautas Althea Renee, featuring multi-instrumentalist Ryan Lavalette, and just one step away from the crown is a saxophonist whose remarkable career began behind the keyboards, touring with Morris Day and the Isley Brothers before stepping into the spotlight with a sound all his own. With four Grammy nominations, multiple gold and platinum albums, and more than three decades of chart success, he's become one of contemporary jazz's most enduring stars, and there's something worth celebrating. His music has consistently bridged the worlds of jazz and R&B, earning him a devoted following across generations. Now making a spectacular six-spot leap, he's sitting just one heartbeat away from the number one, rolling into your number two spot. Here's Storybook by saxophonist extraordinaire Bonnie James. A powerful sewing That spotlight moment belonged to our number two song, Storybook by saxophonist Bony James. And now the moment we've all been waiting for.
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All bets are in. It's time for this week's number one song.
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The lights are dazzling along the Las Vegas Strip. The champagne is on ice, and today there's a brand new name at the top of the marquee. Our new chart topper is a California-born saxophonist, vocalist, and longtime Berkeley College of Music professor whose remarkable career spans four decades. Inspired by the soulful sounds of Motown and the legendary Grover Washington Jr. He's developed a style that's taken him from the classrooms to the stages alongside Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder. And today he's got another reason to celebrate. Climbing two more spots, he's officially entered the winner's circle. It's your brand new number one song in America. Here's "65 Bounce" by saxophonist Walter Beasley. Landing in the winner's circle at number one this week, 65 Bounce by saxophonist Walter Beasley. The weekend smooth jazz countdown is recorded at the KUMV Studios in Las Vegas, produced by Jason Beatty, with national chart data provided by Media Base. The music you love, the countdown you trust, and bringing it all together. Your host, Pamela Black. Let's keep the conversation going. Find me on Facebook on Pamela Black and on Instagram at Pamela's Place. Come say hello. Tell me where you're listening from, and let me know what song caught your ear this week. And a heartfelt thank you to the extraordinary artists who filled our time together with beautiful music, and for you, for making us part of your weekend, your love for this music is what brings us all together. Before we close the curtains, this talented saxophonist has spent more than three decades blending smooth jazz with soulful R&B grooves, building a career filled with chart favorites. He's got the sound. He's got the sunshine. And this week's safe bet sitting at number 25 and just two steps away from joining the party. Here's sunlight by saxophonist Paul Taylor from the host who loves you the most. Mounds and mounds of caramel kisses. Until next week, take care. care. The
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weekend smooth jazz countdown.
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