Will Smooth Jazz radio eventually die? Lets hope not!

[SJFAN]

With New York, Washington, Denver and Dallas dropping the format over the past year what does the future of the radio format bring? Chicago, Phoenix, Maimi, Los Angeles and Seattle still have strong smooth jazz radio stations.

Radio PDs and marketing directors need to now how to market their radio stations or they will die. Another problem with SJ radio stations is that they are hiring inexperienced sales staff who don't know how to sell smooth jazz.

[1316wwood]

Things don't look good but I also hope it doesn't die. It is going to take some aggressive programming and chances taken by programmers that really know the music. And an airstaff that shares the passion.

The public has been dumbed down by what is out there on the radio. Give the audience some credit and hopefully owners will have the patience to let an intelligent young programmer go with a sound that the public embraces. Musically the talent is there. It will be interesting to watch and listen.

But as a former radio guy and like many others, satellite radio and my Ipod take up most of my listening time. Those are the competitors.

[icycool7227]

With New York, Washington, Denver and Dallas dropping the format over the past year what does the future of the radio format bring? Chicago, Phoenix, Maimi, Los Angeles and Seattle still have strong smooth jazz radio stations.

Radio PDs and marketing directors need to now how to market their radio stations or they will die. Another problem with SJ radio stations is that they are hiring inexperienced sales staff who don't know how to sell smooth jazz.

Well if the sales staff are anything like the bad car dealers I experienced yesterday no wonder. I won't say which one on here but jumpin' jahoosefers (or however that's spelled) get whatever you're selling RIGHT!

[icycool7227]

get whatever you're selling RIGHT! I certainly left without buying a car that day!

Oops, meant to edit that and posted twice accidently.

[spiritof67]

I have been a fan of this kind of music for over 20 years.  That said, I will not miss this format if it disappeared from the airwaves--at least as it is presented today.

When the format first appeared, there were several different elements that made up the format--jazz, rock, folk, new age, world music, and adult contemporary songs that didn't fit on mainstream AC radio.  Many of the songs were current as well.

What is heard these days are a lot of instrumental covers, old R&B hits, and plenty of uninspiring forgettable tunes mixed with overplayed "core songs that test well."  All of this music is delivered by liners or voice tracked by someone from outside the market.  That doesn't interest me.

There are some networks, such as Jones and XM's Watercolors that I like, but these too sometimes sound like they're on autopilot as well.

I realize that radio isn't in the business of promoting music.  It's about selling advertising, and it isn't designed for people who enjoy more than 300 songs.  That's fine--I get it.  Thankfully, there are other options today.

[WTUX]

The whole Smooth Jazz format was built around new and different.  David Sanborn, Larry Carlton, George Benson, Lee Reitnour, Spyro Gyra.  Plus Yanni, Windham Hill artists, Narada.  Enya, of course.  But these artists were selling cd's at the time.  The Wave basically took artists from a number of genre' and put them together in a new, exciting format.  Elements of CHR and AC evolved together in an exciting way.

Those artists are passe' now.  AC and CHR aren't into them.  So the inital appeal is gone.  Added to that is the fact SJ will not play much that is new.  And the vocals are old R&B.  To re-develop the format, drop Marvin Gaye and the 4 Tops, throw in Amy Winehouse and other Alternative acts like was done in the 90's.  Add back whoever is making a stir in the New Age community.  Pick cuts from NEW Contemporary Jazz cd's.  Given enough exposure, they may start selling again and be picked up by AC and even CHR.  The format can be brought back to life.  But it needs to go back to its roots.

[salemjedi54]

Who ever thought about adding R&B to the format killed it.  I don't want to hear R&B on a smooth jazz format.  Smooth Jazz is a pure format.  I remember when KOAI was on 106.1.  I was 17-18 years old and was fascinated by this music.  I never heard the same song twice in a day.  KOAI just played music and it did not follow an airplay chart.  Thats what the format needs to get back to.  Damn the playlist, just play the good smooth jazz, a mix of new age and train sales people how to market the format.

[Nock]

Who ever thought about adding R&B to the format killed it.  I don't want to hear R&B on a smooth jazz format.  Smooth Jazz is a pure format.  I remember when KOAI was on 106.1.  I was 17-18 years old and was fascinated by this music.  I never heard the same song twice in a day.  KOAI just played music and it did not follow an airplay chart.  Thats what the format needs to get back to.  Damn the playlist, just play the good smooth jazz, a mix of new age and train sales people how to market the format.

Isn't that amazing a format that you can listen to from 18 years all the way through the later part of ones life.  How many formats can do this?  As of now it appears none.  I got hooked on the music in my mid twenties and very passionate about it in my late 40's.  My parents subscribe to Sirius just for the contemporary jazz and both in their early 70's.  Unfortunately what hooked me is long gone for now.  What advertiser does not want that audience?

Nock 

[cklw800]

Smooth Jazz RADIO will die.  Smooth Jazz MUSIC will live.  The format as we know it will evolve into Smooth AC.  Whether that survives with Urban AC stations in the same market is to be seen. WNWV (Cleveland), KTVW, KWJZ and KIFM stand the best chance for survival if they can stay away from the BA Machine.  WNUA is CC as is WLVE Miami. KYOT in Phoenix is as well.  They may be the last holdouts because of the CC/BA affiliations.  But if their ratings tank it won't matter.  WNUA is lucky.  They've been at it longer but they have the ability to break away from BA and still be successful.  Many Chicagoans remember WNUA's better sounding days but they will survive on heritage.  They're pretty local too. 

[SJFAN]

Smooth Jazz RADIO will die.  Smooth Jazz MUSIC will live.  The format as we know it will evolve into Smooth AC.  Whether that survives with Urban AC stations in the same market is to be seen. WNWV (Cleveland), KTVW, KWJZ and KIFM stand the best chance for survival if they can stay away from the BA Machine.  WNUA is CC as is WLVE Miami. KYOT in Phoenix is as well.  They may be the last holdouts because of the CC/BA affiliations.  But if their ratings tank it won't matter.  WNUA is lucky.  They've been at it longer but they have the ability to break away from BA and still be successful.  Many Chicagoans remember WNUA's better sounding days but they will survive on heritage.  They're pretty local too. 

What about KKSF? Does KKSF stand a chance for survival?