Najee

• Genre: Smooth Jazz
• Hometown: New York

About

Though he's not quite on the plane of Kenny G, Najee still ranks among the most popular of the post-Grover Washington, Jr. Smooth Jazz sax players. He hit on a commercially successful formula with his 1987 debut Najee's Theme and has stuck closely to it ever since. His recordings are full-scale productions, employing large casts of drum programmers, vocalists, and keyboardists to back up his vapory soprano sax and flute melodies. His 1995 recording Songs From the Key of Life was something of an exception, as it added a little more muscle as well as a few touches of improvisation and some relatively creative string and horn arrangements. In general though, he likes to keep things smooth, polished and predictable, and that's why he's sold so many records over the years.

- Will York