Here's the lineup of my favorite Smooth Jazz artists, whom I can at last proudly call my friends:

Jeff Golub
David Benoit
Gerald Veasley
Norah Jones
Down to the Bone
Ramsey Lewis
Everette Harp
Spur of the Moment
Greg Adams
Lee Ritenour
Boney James
Kirk Whalum
Count Basic
Eric Darius
Walter Beasley
Marcus Miller
Euge Groove
Jeff Lorber
Steve Cole
Mike Phillips
Mindi Abair

If I could stage a backyard concert, these would be some of the artists that I'd invite to play. But I don't have that kind of money, and I doubt that my backyard would be large enough, so I am content listening to their songs on my CDs and the radio via WNUA. By the way, if you're keeping score, that's 21 artists already (with many more to come), and they all share another thing in common: They're just a few of the Top 200 Jazz Artists of All-Time, which was a joint compilation between me and my brother Walter. Anyway, go to my profile (www.myspace.com/rickythesmooth1), and prepare to take the smoothest ride of your life! And always remember to keep it smooth. Thank you.