Meet The Artists - Smooth Jazz Radio
Michael Cates - Summer Sessions
Hailing from New Jersey, saxophonist Michael Cates began playing the saxophone at the age of eight. He quickly realized that the saxophone would be his instrument of choice after seeing his favorite TV actor with a horn around his neck. Michael’s early years as a saxophonist were spent performing in local clubs along the famous Jersey shore and serving as a sideman in various studios in New York and Los Angeles. During this time, Cates released two instrumental solo albums that showcased his talent in contemporary jazz. After traveling between the two coasts, Michael decided to make LA his home, marking a pivotal moment in his career. He was hired to play the saxophone player on the David E. Kelley production hit TV series, “Ally McBeal,” where he performed for five seasons, from 1999 until its final episode.
In addition to his work on “Ally McBeal,” Cates has appeared in various other TV shows and national TV commercials. He has been a member of the Screen Actors Guild for over 25 years. Throughout his career, Michael has performed with a remarkable lineup of artists, including Jennifer Lopez, Elton John, Barry White, Joe Sample, Tina Turner, Mariah Carey, and Tommy Mars, gracing venues such as BB King NY, the Newport Beach Jazz Festival, the San Francisco Jazz Festival, the Stone Pony, Spaghettini, the Catalina Club, the Little Rock Jazz Festival, the Rose Bowl, and countless stages across the US and Europe.
Stream Schedule
Stay up to date with SJBR's stream schedule, your go-to online radio station for smooth jazz music. They live stream on Fridays and Saturdays from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm PST, featuring ‘On Air Personality’ Louie Marcs, right from SJBR.live radio.
E. Pruitt - Bassist
Summer Sessions - E. Pruitt
Bass Soloist, Clinician and Composer E. Pruitt is a Native of Kansas City and a Graduate of the Charlie Parker School for the Performing Arts. He is not only a Winner of several Bass Awards, including the 2018 Seattle Sound Music Awards in the Best Band category, but also a prominent figure in the smooth jazz music scene. 'E' has toured the US, Europe, and Asia, sharing the stage with renowned artists and groups such as B.B. King, Gerald Albright, Norman Brown, Brian Bromberg, The Scorpions, Tony Macalpine, Paul Stanley, Paul Reed Smith, Brett Michaels, the Miles Davis Tribute Group 'Miles & Miles', Sir-Mix-A-Lot, and Rick Habana. Additionally, he was one of two bassists contacted by Vernon Reid to fill an open bass position for the band 'Living Colour.'. You can often hear his captivating performances on various online radio stations, including popular Seattle radio programs dedicated to smooth jazz music.
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Blake Aaron - Guitarist
Named “a genius on the guitar” by the Los Angeles Times, “Aaron’s guitar playing is stellar” by The Jazz World, ”Take your pick-he’s a good picker!" by Jazz Weekly, “...one of the greatest treasures as a guitarist,” by Najee, and "a guitar player's guitarist" by Critical Blast, Blake Aaron launched his career as an L.A. studio musician/sideman and has recorded and/ or performed with artists such as Philip Bailey (Earth Wind and Fire), Sheila E., Frank Stallone, Bobby Womack and Carlos Santana (Womack-Save the Children), The Gap Band, Lakeside, Dynasty, Little Anthony, Ronnie Laws, Keiko Matsui, Najee, Warren Hill, Bill Champlin (Chicago), Ellis Hall (Tower of Power) and many others.
A first call TV & Film Session Guitarist, Aaron has worked for a laundry list of television shows such as 15 years with Fox’s “MAD TV,” Steven Seagal's “Half Past Dead 2,” “Super Dave Osborne”, “The Next Best Thing” (ABC), “The Mother Love Show,” (FOX) and “The Ben Stiller Show” (FOX).
Jeff Greenleaf
Jeff Greenleaf is a Malibu-based songwriter whose original music has been featured in thousands of synchronization placements across television, streaming, sports, and promotional media, including Super Bowl LIII (CBS), The Oprah Winfrey Show (ABC), The View (ABC), The Tonight Show (NBC), People’s Choice Awards (CBS), and The Young and the Restless (CBS). Jeff is currently a finalist for 2026 USA Male Songwriter of the Year at the International Singer-Songwriter Association Awards.
Yulia
Yulia’s extraordinary journey as an artist and composer continues to unfold with breathtaking grace, driven by her innate musical talent and unwavering devotion to her craft. Her connection with music ignited at a tender age of five when her fingers first danced across the piano keys. A prodigious gift became evident as she composed her own melodies by the age of eight, laying the foundation for a future filled with artistic brilliance.
Tom Braxton
International Billboard charting jazz saxophonist Tom Braxton has garnered critical acclaim while thrilling audiences of all ages from coast to coast and abroad for over two decades. From Africa to Japan...from New York to L.A., Braxton’s distinct, melodic sound leaves audiences astounded, clapping, and on their feet screaming for more! His music can be heard on radio and streaming platforms such as Spotify and Pandora, and his albums have hit numerous jazz charts including Billboard, RadioWave, SmoothJazz.com, Groove Jazz Music, Capital Jazz Radio, and Amazon.
Christian de Mesones
Kick off festival week with an elegant evening of live jazz under the stars at the stunning Newton White Mansion in Mitchellville, MD. Enjoy the smooth sounds of saxophonist Marqueal Jordan, and guitarist JJ Sansaverino, as they deliver a soulful blend of melody and groove. Also performing will be multi-talented bassist and composer Christian “Big New York” de Mesones, bringing his All-Star band. Guests will savor gourmet bites, fine wine, signature drinks and the elegance that makes this one of the festival’s most exclusive and intimate experiences.
Grady Harrell
Grady Harrell Jr. (born May 12, 1957) is an American R&B/soul singer, songwriter, and actor best known for his late-1980s new jack swing hit "Sticks and Stones" and his portrayal of legendary soul singer Jackie Wilson.
Early Life & Origins
Musical Roots: Raised in Los Angeles, California, in a musical family—his mother was a singer with the vocal group The Friends of Distinction.
First Group: Formed the soul/funk group Poppa's Results with his sister Raquel (Roq-E) while in high school.
Shalamar Connection: Befriended Jody Watley and Jeffrey Daniel in the late 1970s and narrowly missed becoming the lead singer of Shalamar when Howard Hewett was chosen for the spot.
Solo Recording Career
Debut (1984): Released his debut LP Mwana on Constellation/MCA Records, produced by James Brown/J.B.'s saxophonist Fred Wesley. The single "Belinda" marked his first chart entry.
Breakthrough Single (1989): Signed with RCA Records and released Come Play With Me!, which yielded his biggest solo hit, "Sticks and Stones" (reaching #4 on the Billboard R&B
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Announcement
Smooth Jazz Beach Radio is Seattle’s premiered newest online radio station which plays and caters to both adult contemporary & smooth Jazz music enthusiasts all over the world. SJBR is nestled alongside the Pacific coast in a small beach community in Ocean Shores, Washington. Broadcasting is 24/7 and worldwide. Welcome Home! Music Submissions Accepted