Welcome to the first Weekend Smooth Jazz Countdown of 2026, broadcasting from the KUNV studios on the campus of UNLV and heard coast to coast. Hosted by Pamela Black, this nationally syndicated countdown delivers the Top 20 smooth jazz songs in America, ranked by verified airplay data from stations across the country.

This week’s show sets the tone for a brand-new year with a mix of chart climbers, longtime favorites, and fresh releases shaping the sound of contemporary jazz right now. From guitar-driven grooves and soulful saxophone melodies to elegant keyboard work and modern jazz fusion, every song reflects the depth, diversity, and evolution of smooth jazz radio.

Listeners will hear standout tracks from genre icons and chart-topping artists including Boney James, Kirk Whalum, Gerald Albright, Wayman Tisdale, Roy Ayers, Mindy Abair, Paul Taylor, Marion Meadows, Nicholas Cole, and Ryan LaValette, who claims the #1 spot this week. The countdown also highlights rising voices and independent artists making waves on Smooth Jazz Radio, proving that the genre continues to grow and thrive in 2026.

In addition to the weekly Top 20, this episode features artist spotlights, engaging storytelling, and the signature pacing that makes the Weekend Smooth Jazz Countdown a favorite for listeners, affiliates, and programmers alike. Whether you’re tuning in on the radio, streaming online, or catching up via podcast, this show delivers a polished, professional, and relaxing listening experience designed for smooth jazz fans everywhere.

Produced by Jason Beatty with chart data provided by Mediabase, the Weekend Smooth Jazz Countdown remains your definitive guide to the biggest songs in smooth jazz—every week, all year long.

The Weekend Smooth Jazz Countdown continues its year-end celebration with The Number Ones of 2025, Part 2 — the high-stakes finale counting down the Top 20 songs of the year, including the longest-running #1 smooth jazz hits of 2025.

Broadcast from the KUNV studios on the UNLV campus, host Pamela Black takes listeners deeper into the countdown, ranking every chart-topping song by how long it held the number one spot. This second installment spotlights the tracks that didn’t just reach the summit — they stayed there, defining the sound of smooth jazz throughout the year.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• The Top 20 smooth jazz #1s of 2025, including multi-week chart champions
• Performances by genre leaders such as Najee, Gerald Albright, Norman Brown, Brian Culbertson, Mindi Abair, Marion Meadows, Adrian Crutchfield, and more
• The Top 5 “Not on the List” artists, honoring standout releases that made a major impact just outside the countdown
• Rich storytelling that ties each #1 song to the cultural moments, seasons, and moods of 2025

From high-energy festival anthems to soulful saxophone classics, Part 2 captures the music that ruled the charts and shaped the smooth jazz landscape in 2025 — culminating with the longest-running #1 song of the year.

If you missed it, be sure to catch Part 1, featuring songs #35–21, and experience the complete two-part journey through the year’s biggest smooth jazz moments.

Your playlist. Your countdown. Where smooth jazz pays out big.

The Weekend Smooth Jazz Countdown kicks off a special two-part year-end celebration with The Number Ones of 2025, Part 1 — a coast-to-coast journey through every song that reached #1 on the Smooth Jazz charts this year.

Broadcast from the KUNV studios on the UNLV campus, host Pamela Black begins the countdown at #35 and works up to #21, ranking each track by how long it held the top spot. This first installment focuses on the single-week chart toppers — the songs that defined moments, seasons, and moods throughout 2025.

Along the way, the show features:

• Chart-topping smooth jazz from artists like Norman Brown, Boney James, Rick Braun, Kirk Whalum, Nicholas Cole, Special EFX, and more
• “Not on the List” spotlights honoring standout releases that made an impact just outside the countdown
• Pam’s Honorable Mentions, highlighting personal favorites and artists who stayed in the mix all year long
• Rich storytelling that connects each #1 song to the time of year it ruled the charts

From warm guitar grooves and soulful sax melodies to contemporary jazz collaborations, Part 1 sets the stage for the biggest smooth jazz moments of 2025.

Be sure to join us next week for Part 2, where we count down the Top 20, reveal the multi-week #1 champions, and spotlight the artists who truly dominated the year.

Your playlist. Your countdown. The smoothest journey in jazz.

In this week’s episode of the Weekend Smooth Jazz Countdown, host Pamela Black guides listeners through the 20 smoothest contemporary jazz tracks in the nation, broadcasting from the KU NV studios on the campus of UNLV. This holiday edition features powerful chart movement, standout new releases, and beloved favorites, all curated from Mediabase airplay across smooth jazz stations coast to coast.

The countdown opens with flutist Althea René, followed by strong entries from Paul Taylor, Nathan Mitchell, and Dave Koz & Summer Horns, plus fresh spins from Najee, Brian Simpson, Nicholas Cole, Kayla Waters, Chris Standring, and the ever-inspiring Mindi Abair. Mid-show, Pamela highlights rising artists like Adrian Crutchfield, Quentin Gerard W., and multi-instrumentalist Ryan La Valette, whose “London Nights” earns the No. 2 spot this week.

The Vintage Smooth Spotlight rewinds the groove to 1975 with the iconic trumpeter Donald Byrd and his classic “Think Twice,” a timeless blend of jazz, funk, and soul.

This week’s Headliner Feature showcases Chicago saxophonist Andre Ward, whose smooth reinterpretation of Musiq Soulchild’s “Just Friends” delivers style, soul, and undeniable Vegas swagger.

The countdown culminates with the No. 1 song of the week: Boney James rises three spots to claim the top position with “The Bounce,” proving once again why he remains one of contemporary jazz’s most influential and enduring voices.

Pamela wraps the episode with gratitude for listeners nationwide, plus a bonus spotlight on guitarist Deepak B2, whose “Make Me Wanna” lands at No. 24 and promises big things in the coming year.

Whether you're tuning in for holiday vibes, top-tier musicianship, or the nation’s definitive smooth jazz chart, this week’s Countdown delivers nothing but warm tones, uplifting grooves, and undeniable smoothness.

20 ALTHEA RENE Synergy f/Jordan Love
19 PAUL TAYLOR It's A Brand New Day
18 NATHAN MITCHELL Feel The Heat
17 DAVE KOZ & SUMMER HORNS Vehicle
16 NAJEE Salvador f/Brian Simpson
15 ADAM HAWLEY RollerSk8
14 KAYLA WATERS Lush
13 MINDI ABAIR Nouveau Soul
12 KIRK WHALUM Well Alright
11 RAGAN WHITESIDE Fancy Footwork
10 JULIAN VAUGHN Follow Me
9 QUINTIN GERARD W. Streets Of Gold
8 ADRIAN CRUTCHFIELD Sooo Good
7 CHRIS STANDRING Chocolate Shake
6 NICHOLAS COLE Shine
5 JAZZ FUNK SOUL Over Easy
4 BLAKE AARON Dare To Fly
3 MARION MEADOWS Just Doing Me
2 RYAN LA VALETTE London Nights
1 BONEY JAMES The Bounce

Step inside another high-roller edition of The Weekend Smooth Jazz Countdown with Pamela Black, recorded at the KUNV studios on the campus of UNLV. This week’s show delivers the 20 smoothest contemporary jazz hits in the country, featuring big chart movers, new debuts, and the artists shaping today’s Smooth Jazz sound. From legendary icons to rising stars, Pamela brings her signature mix of storytelling, artist insights, and Las Vegas flair as we break down this week’s Top 20.

This episode features chart-topping tracks from Gerald Albright, Paul Taylor, Kayla Waters, Adam Hawley, Nathan Mitchell, Julian Vaughn, Mindy Abair, Nicholas Cole, Chris Standring, Quentin Gerard W., Adrian Crutchfield, and more—plus a vintage smooth spotlight on Richard Elliot with his powerhouse 2009 take on Curtis Mayfield’s “Move On Up.”

As we climb into the Top 5, Pamela highlights major contemporary jazz players including Jazz Funk & Soul, Boney James, Blake Aaron, and global multi-instrumentalist Ryan La Valette, all leading up to this week’s #1 song: “Just Doing Me” by saxophonist Marion Meadows, fresh off a breakout chart run and now holding the top of the deck.

The show also features commentary on touring artists, chart history, Billboard hits, and Vegas jazz culture—plus a special closing spotlight on flutist Althea René, whose new single “Synergy” is rising fast and poised to crack the countdown soon.

Whether you love Smooth Jazz saxophone, contemporary jazz guitar, modern keyboard grooves, or the stories behind the artists, this week’s countdown is packed with essential listening. Discover new music, revisit favorites, and stay plugged into the heartbeat of the smooth jazz scene with Pamela Black—your host, your guide, and your Vegas connection to the sound of today. Produced in the KUNV / UNLV Studios by Jason Beatty.

Support The Show - Donate to KUNV - https://tinyurl.com/SupportSmooth

The Weekend Smooth Jazz Countdown with Pamela Black – December 6, 2025
20 GERALD ALBRIGHT Living My Best Life
19 PAUL TAYLOR It's A Brand New Day
18 KAYLA WATERS Lush
17 ADAM HAWLEY RollerSk8
16 NAJEE Salvador f/Brian Simpson
15 MINDI ABAIR Nouveau Soul
14 NATHAN MITCHELL Feel The Heat
13 JULIAN VAUGHN Follow Me
12 DAVE KOZ & SUMMER HORNS Vehicle
11 RAGAN WHITESIDE Fancy Footwork
10 KIRK WHALUM Well Alright
9 NICHOLAS COLE Shine
8 CHRIS STANDRING Chocolate Shake
7 QUINTIN GERARD W. Streets Of Gold
6 ADRIAN CRUTCHFIELD Sooo Good
5 JAZZ FUNK SOUL Over Easy
4 BONEY JAMES The Bounce
3 BLAKE AARON Dare To Fly
2 RYAN LA VALETTE London Nights
1 MARION MEADOWS Just Doing Me

Weekend Smooth Jazz Countdown with Pamela Black – November 29, 2025

Support the show this GIVING TUESDAY - https://tinyurl.com/SupportSmooth

Get ready for another smooth and soulful ride as Pamela Black counts down the Top 20 Smooth Jazz tracks in America on this week’s Weekend Smooth Jazz Countdown, recorded from the KU NV Studios on the campus of UNLV. This episode is packed with chart-climbing hits, award-nominated artists, holiday favorites, and deep-groove storytelling straight from today’s biggest names in contemporary jazz.

This week, Pamela highlights rising stars and veteran hitmakers including Roberto Restuccia, Paul Taylor, Adam Hawley, Lisa Addeo, Mindy Abair, Julian Vaughn, Nathan Mitchell, Naji, Quentin Gerard W, Boney James, Chris Standring, Jazz Funk & Soul, Adrian Crutchfield, Ryan La Vallette, Marion Meadows, and many more. Listeners will also enjoy a seasonal classic—“Baby, It’s Cold Outside” by Vanessa Williams and Bobby Caldwell—plus a nostalgic visit to Vintage Smooth featuring Vince Guaraldi’s timeless holiday tune “Christmas Is Coming.”

As the countdown moves into the top 10, Pamela spotlights breakout artists, Grammy-nominated performers, and saxophonists and guitarists dominating the Billboard and MediaBase smooth jazz charts. This week’s #1 spot belongs to guitarist Blake Aaron with his chart-topping hit “Dare to Fly.”

You’ll also hear:

• A special reminder about Giving Tuesday and how listeners can support 91.5 Jazz & More
• The exclusive Safe Bet pick of the week from Smooth Jazz Alley
• Artist backstories, studio trivia, touring highlights, and nomination spotlights for Best Artist and Breakout Artist of the Year

Whether you're listening from the Strip or from across the country, Pamela sets the perfect mood with a mix of storytelling, artist insight, and the smoothest grooves of the week.

20 ROBERTO RESTUCCIA De Nada
19 PAUL TAYLOR It's A Brand New Day
18 ADAM HAWLEY RollerSk8
17 LISA ADDEO Lipstick And Moonlight
16 MINDI ABAIR Nouveau Soul
15 JULIAN VAUGHN Follow Me
14 RAGAN WHITESIDE Fancy Footwork
13 NATHAN MITCHELL Feel The Heat
12 NAJEE Salvador f/Brian Simpson
11 DAVE KOZ & SUMMER HORNS Vehicle
10 NICHOLAS COLE Shine
9 KIRK WHALUM Well Alright
8 QUINTIN GERARD W. Streets Of Gold
7 BONEY JAMES The Bounce
6 CHRIS STANDRING Chocolate Shake
5 JAZZ FUNK SOUL Over Easy
4 ADRIAN CRUTCHFIELD Sooo Good
3 RYAN LA VALETTE London Nights
2 MARION MEADOWS Just Doing Me
1 BLAKE AARON Dare To Fly

In this week’s Weekend Smooth Jazz Countdown, host Pamela Black delivers another smooth and sophisticated journey through the Top 20 smooth jazz songs in America, based on real nationwide airplay. Recorded at the KUNV studios in Las Vegas, this episode blends new chart movers, rising stars, veteran powerhouses, and exclusive artist spotlights—all curated to set the perfect mood wherever you listen.

We kick things off with Julian Vaughn, followed by fresh grooves from Brian Culbertson, Marcus Miller, Sheila E, and breakout guitarist Roberto Restrepo. The countdown also features standout tracks from James PJ Spraggins, Mindy Abair, Nicholas Cole, Lisa Addeo, Nathan Mitchell, and smooth jazz favorite Paul Taylor, who continues edging closer to the Top 20.

The Top 10 heats up with chart-topping legends including Najee, Chris Standring, Boney James, Kirk Whalum, Ryan LaValette, Quentin Gerard W, Marion Meadows, and the powerhouse trio Jazz Funk & Soul. Guitarist Blake Aaron holds strong at #2 for another week.

And finally, your #1 smooth jazz song in the nation is once again “So Good” by saxophonist Adrian Crutchfield—a track fueled by his unforgettable early moment on stage with Kenny G and a career shaped alongside icons like Prince, Lionel Richie, and Dave Koz.

This episode also features a special Vintage Smooth Spotlight, highlighting the iconic 1993 release “Pieces of a Dream” by Incognito featuring Maysa Leak, plus a bonus spin of Adam Hawley’s rising single “Roller Skate,” currently sitting just outside the Top 20.

Whether you're a longtime smooth jazz fan or discovering new contemporary jazz favorites, this week’s countdown is loaded with soulful sax, guitar brilliance, and groove-rich energy from coast to coast.

Support The Show
Vote for KUNV - https://tinyurl.com/VOTEKUNV
Donate to KUNV - https://tinyurl.com/SupportSmooth

20 JULIAN VAUGHN Follow Me
19 BRIAN CULBERTSON On The Road f/Miller/Sheila E
18 ROBERTO RESTUCCIA De Nada
17 PJ SPRAGGINS High Five f/Oli Silk
16 MINDI ABAIR Nouveau Soul
15 DAVE KOZ & SUMMER HORNS Vehicle
14 RAGAN WHITESIDE Fancy Footwork
13 NICHOLAS COLE Shine
12 NATHAN MITCHELL Feel The Heat
11 LISA ADDEO Lipstick And Moonlight
10 NAJEE Salvador f/Brian Simpson
9 CHRIS STANDRING Chocolate Shake
8 BONEY JAMES The Bounce
7 KIRK WHALUM Well Alright
6 RYAN LA VALETTE London Nights
5 QUINTIN GERARD W. Streets Of Gold
4 MARION MEADOWS Just Doing Me
3 JAZZ FUNK SOUL Over Easy
2 BLAKE AARON Dare To Fly
1 ADRIAN CRUTCHFIELD Sooo Good

Keywords: smooth jazz, contemporary jazz, smooth jazz countdown, top 20 jazz songs, Pamela Black, KUNV Las Vegas, Adrian Crutchfield, Blake Aaron, Boney James, Najee, Marion Meadows, Jazz Funk & Soul, Ryan LaValette, Paul Taylor, Nicholas Cole, Lisa Addeo, Mindy Abair, smooth jazz podcast, jazz radio show, weekend jazz playlist, jazz chart show, new smooth jazz releases, smooth jazz 2025

This week’s Weekend Smooth Jazz Countdown with Pamela Black delivers a high-energy trip through the 20 biggest smooth jazz hits in the nation, straight from the KUNV studios on the campus of UNLV. Pamela brings her signature warmth, flair, and Las Vegas polish as she guides listeners through rising stars, returning favorites, and major movers on the Mediabase national chart.

The episode opens with legendary saxophonist Gerald Albright reclaiming momentum with Living My Best Life at #20, followed by standout performances from Nicholas Cole, PJ Spraggins featuring Oli Silk, Ragan Whiteside, and Mindi Abair, whose powerful single Nouveau Soul climbs three spots. The spotlight also lands on hometown hero Paul Taylor, rising five places with A Brand New Day.

Pamela then slides into the mid-chart with all-star highlights from Summer Horns (Dave Koz, Gerald Albright, Richard Elliot, Mindy Abair & Aubrey Logan) and a string of fan favorites including Roberto Restuccia, Brian Culbertson, Chris Standring, and Ryan La Valette, celebrating his chart-climbing hit London Nights. A special Vintage Smooth segment pays tribute to Kyoto-born multi-instrumentalist and global groove architect Gota Yashiki, showcasing his 1997 gem European Comfort.

The top 10 delivers pure jackpot energy: Boney James at #10 with The Bounce, followed by chart-toppers from Lisa Addeo, Nathan Mitchell, Quintin Gerard W., Jazz Funk Soul, and Kirk Whalum, whose gospel-rooted elegance elevates his latest single Well Alright. At #3, Najee teams with Brian Simpson on the soaring collaboration Salvador, while #2 belongs to guitarist-producer Blake Aaron with Dare to Fly.

This week’s top spot goes to saxophonist Adrian Crutchfield, whose emotionally charged, Prince-inspired artistry sends Sooo Good straight to #1 after weeks of building momentum. Pamela wraps the episode with an “on-the-rise” pick from Adam Hawley, spotlighting his new single Roller Skate at #26 as a future chart contender.

Produced by Jason Beatty, this episode is packed with artist insights, genre storytelling, and the unmistakable glow of Las Vegas. Whether you’re a longtime smooth jazz listener or discovering new favorites, this week’s countdown delivers the brightest horns, grooves, and melodies from coast to coast.

Smooth Jazz Top 20 for 11/15/25
20 GERALD ALBRIGHT Living My Best Life
19 NICHOLAS COLE Shine
18 PJ SPRAGGINS High Five f/Oli Silk
17 RAGAN WHITESIDE Fancy Footwork
16 MINDI ABAIR Nouveau Soul
15 DAVE KOZ & SUMMER HORNS Vehicle
14 ROBERTO RESTUCCIA De Nada
13 BRIAN CULBERTSON On The Road f/Miller/Sheila E
12 CHRIS STANDRING Chocolate Shake
11 RYAN LA VALETTE London Nights
10 BONEY JAMES The Bounce
9 LISA ADDEO Lipstick And Moonlight
8 NATHAN MITCHELL Feel The Heat
7 QUINTIN GERARD W. Streets Of Gold
6 JAZZ FUNK SOUL Over Easy
5 KIRK WHALUM Well Alright
4 MARION MEADOWS Just Doing Me
3 NAJEE Salvador f/Brian Simpson
2 BLAKE AARON Dare To Fly
1 ADRIAN CRUTCHFIELD Sooo Good