Smooth Jazz Now.com announces -

October 1, 2009 - Smooth Jazz Now.com is very proud to announce the addition of popular Contemporary Jazz guitarist Ken Navarro to their on air line-up. Navarro will serve as the new Afternoon Drive host starting September 28th, 2009.
Navarro’s show, Drive Time, will air 3-6PM (eastern) every weekday.

The top charting & award winning guitarist and composer has recorded 18 albums and remains a top player in the genre. His latest CD ‘The Grace of Summer Light” gained overwhelming positive praise for its “creative expansion” and “unforgettable melodies.”

“Ken has been one of my favorite guitarists for so many years,” says John Beaudin, President and Program Director of Smooth Jazz Now.com, “I consider him a friend but I have to admit I’m a fan first.” Beaudin continues, “What Ken does musically is what’s most needed in the Smooth Jazz format, he is innovative in that Pat Metheny kind-of-way, where you never know what he’s going to do next and his beautiful haunting melodies are the best in the biz.”

"When John called to inquire if I would be interested in hosting the afternoon drive show on Smooth Jazz Now.com, I said ‘yes’ immediately,” says Navarro. “I have always been interested in the radio side of this music and the opportunity to work with a consummate radio pro like John and the top drawer staff at Smooth Jazz Now is a fantastic opportunity.” Navarro adds, “John is one of that rare breed in radio who has what we musicians call ‘ears.’ He recognizes and supports only the very best and I respect him immensely for that.”

Navarro says he’s very interested in the music mix that the station presents, “I am particularly looking forward to presenting the latest Smooth and Contemporary Jazz as well as the great music that has been so important in forming my art - like the early George Benson recordings on CTI, Jean Luc Ponty's amazing recordings and Spyro Gyra's groundbreaking work to name just a few."

Beaudin says, “Ken is the kind of guy who we all grew up with who corralled us to their stereo systems and introduced us to so much new music. He’s still that guy and that’s his magic on the air. I can’t wait for his show!”

Smooth Jazz now.com was created in 1999. At 7000+ pages it’s the largest on the planet covering the genre. Beaudin says, expect more announcements in the next few weeks concerning more on-air hosts.

Navarro’s show, Drive Time, will air 3-6PM (eastern) each weekday.
Cameron Smith does mid-days from 12-3 pm est.
Nick Colionne begins evenings Oct 12 from 6-10 pm est.

Check out the station at http://www.smoothjazznow.com

For more information Contact
John Beaudin
President & Program Director
Smooth Jazz Now

Nice! Congrats Ken, i'll check it out for sure.

Thanks Leslie - I am really enjoying doiong it too. Plus I get to play some music which does not get exposed nearly enough or at all on "smooth" jazz radio yet it's so good and fits perfectly into the "format" IMHO.

Congrats, Ken - What a sight for sore ears...
I'm in Washington, D.C. on a 4-1/2 month assignment, and this station is really helping with the much-needed jazz fix - thanks so much.

Peace & Love,
Rebecca

Rebecca,

Since you're in DC for a few months, be sure to check out some of the area venues where you can hear some live jazz. We've got a pretty good music scene here.

I just went to the Smooth Jazz Now website. Two of the images of Chieli Minucci on his artist page are from pictures I took at Dharma All Stars gigs. One was from a pic with me following a July 2005 gig, and the other is from September 2008 at the Long Beach (NY) Jazz Festival.