[5] Smooth Jazz was arguably pioneered in the early 1970's, with notable songs and artists including: "Grazing in the grass" (1968), by trumpeter Hugh Masekela, "Nautilus" (1974) by keyboardist Bob James, and "Mister Magic" (1975) by saxophist Grover Washington, Jr.. Other early popular releases include guitarist George Benson's 1976 cover/version of "Breezin'" and flugelhorn player Chuck Mangione's "Feels So Good" in 1977.

Others are "What You Won't Do for Love" by Bobby Caldwell in 1978, jazz fusion group Spyro Gyra's 1979 instrumental song "Morning Dance" [3] and the 1981 collaboration between Grover Washington Jr. and Bill Withers on "Just the Two of Us".

Smooth jazz grew in popularity in the 1980s and 1990s as Anita Baker, Sade, Al Jarreau, Grover Washington Jr. and Kenny G released multiple hit songs.

The smooth jazz genre experienced a backlash exemplified by critical complaints about the "bland" sound of top-selling saxophonist Kenny G, whose popularity peaked with his 1992 album Breathless.

[3] Music reviewer George Graham argues that the "so-called 'smooth jazz' sound of people like Kenny G has none of the fire and creativity[8] that marked the best of the fusion scene during its heyday in the 1970s".