Kenny Garrett

• Genre: Post Bop
• Hometown: NYC

About

A disciple of such luminaries as Art Blakey and Miles Davis, alto saxophonist Kenny Garrett's soulful, dynamic approach to jazz has made him one of the foremost improvisers of the 1990s. On his latest outing, however, he trades in the angular Post Bop licks and deep blues for the simplicity and mainstream accessibility of Smooth Jazz. The album is called "Simply Said," and its title reflects its contents. Taking about as many chances as a Hollywood blockbuster movie, these cuts wouldn't sound out of place on Good Morning America. Jazz fans seeking Kenny Garrett at his best should track down his blazing 1995 album Triology instead.

- Noah Enelow