SMOOTH JAZZ
Contemporary Smooth Jazz
Smooth jazz, silky saxophone lead, Rhodes electric piano, soft brushed drums, walking bass line, evening lounge vibe, radio-friendly production, sophisticated but accessible
Smooth Jazz Ballad
Smooth jazz ballad, intimate sax or guitar lead, lush chord progressions, soft piano comping, romantic atmosphere, late-night radio vibe
Upbeat Smooth Jazz
Upbeat smooth jazz, funky bass line, bright horn section, Latin percussion influences, feel-good energy, radio-friendly groove, sophisticated pop-jazz
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BEBOP / HARD BOP
Fast Bebop
Bebop jazz, blazing fast tempo, complex chord changes, virtuosic improvisation, fast walking bass, ride cymbal swing, sophisticated harmonic movement
Hard Bop Groove
Hard bop, soulful bluesy feel, gospel influences, piano comping with Hammond organ, driving swing rhythm, sophisticated groove
Modal Jazz
Modal jazz, sparse chord changes, modal improvisation, cool understated vibe, trumpet or sax lead, minimal harmonic movement
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CHICAGO BLUES
Electric Chicago Blues
Chicago blues, gritty electric guitar with overdrive, harmonica lead, shuffled 12-bar blues, raw emotional vocals, vintage amp tone
Slow Blues Ballad
Slow blues ballad, soulful bending guitar notes, emotional vocals, organ swells, sparse drums, late-night blues club vibe
Jump Blues
Jump blues, upbeat shuffle rhythm, horn section stabs, boogie-woogie piano, upright bass, danceable blues energy
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JAZZ FUSION
Jazz-Rock Fusion
Jazz fusion, complex time signatures, distorted guitar with jazz harmony, electric bass slap, synthesizer layers, virtuosic soloing
Funk-Jazz Fusion
Funk-jazz fusion, slapped bass groove, tight horns, Rhodes electric piano, syncopated drums, danceable groove
Latin Jazz Fusion
Latin jazz, Afro-Cuban rhythms, complex percussion, montuno piano patterns, clave rhythm, horn arrangements
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SWING / BIG BAND
Classic Big Band Swing
Big band swing, full horn section, walking bass, swing rhythm, clarinet or sax lead, vintage 1940s style
Modern Big Band
Modern big band, tight horn voicings, contemporary arrangements, sophisticated harmony, powerful punch
Gypsy Jazz
Gypsy jazz, acoustic guitar lead, tremolo picking, violin accompaniment, no drums, rhythmic guitar groove
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CONTEMPORARY JAZZ
Neo-Soul Jazz
Neo-soul jazz, hip-hop influenced drums, Rhodes electric piano, jazz guitar, soulful sax, modern groove
Ambient Jazz
Ambient jazz, atmospheric soundscapes, sparse melody, slow tempo, minimal structure, contemplative mood
Jazz-House Fusion
Jazz-house, four-on-floor beat, jazz instrumentation, deep house production, piano house with jazz harmony
KEY INSTRUMENTS
Smooth Jazz
Sax, guitar, Rhodes, soft drums
Bebop
Trumpet, sax, piano, walking bass
Chicago Blues
Electric guitar, harmonica, shuffle drums
Fusion
Electric guitar, synths, slap bass, complex drums
Big Band
Full horn section, swing rhythm section
Neo-Soul Jazz
Rhodes, sax, hip-hop drums
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VOCAL STYLE
Blues
Raw emotional delivery, expressive bends
Jazz Standards
Sophisticated phrasing, expressive freedom
Jazz-Soul
Smooth melodic vocals, R&B influence
Bebop
Scat singing, rhythmic phrasing
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DRUM STYLE
Swing
Ride cymbal groove, hi-hat on 2 and 4
Blues Shuffle
Triplet feel, simple groove
Bebop
Complex ride patterns, fast tempo
Fusion
Technical drums, odd time signatures
Smooth Jazz
Soft brushes, minimal intrusion
Neo-Soul Jazz
Hip-hop groove, laid-back swing
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BPM
Smooth Jazz
80–110 BPM
Bebop
180–260 BPM
Blues
60–130 BPM
Fusion
100–180 BPM
Big Band
130–160 BPM
Contemporary Jazz
70–120 BPM
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MIX STYLE
Smooth Jazz
Polished, clean, radio-ready
Bebop
Natural live sound, minimal processing
Chicago Blues
Raw, vintage tone, tube warmth
Fusion
Clear separation, modern mix
Big Band
Live room sound, natural acoustics
Neo-Soul Jazz
Hip-hop + jazz hybrid production