Airplay: The Smooth Jazz and R&B Fusion Collective

Airplay is an American studio music project and production duo known for crafting sophisticated smooth jazz and R&B instrumentals in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The core duo, guitarist and composer Jay Graydon and keyboardist David Foster, along with a rotating cast of elite session musicians, created a signature sound that became highly influential within the genre.

Early career

Airplay was formed in 1979, a creative union between two established Los Angeles session masters. Jay Graydon, a sought-after guitarist, and David Foster, a rising keyboardist and arranger, pooled their talents to create a project focused on high-quality instrumental music. Their self-titled debut album, Airplay, was released in 1980 on the Atlantic Records imprint.

Breakthrough

The 1980 self-titled album became a cult classic and a benchmark for the burgeoning smooth jazz radio format. While not a massive commercial pop success, the album achieved significant critical acclaim and strong sales within its niche, eventually earning a dedicated following. Its polished production and memorable melodies made it a staple on jazz and adult contemporary radio stations.

Key tracks

Nothin' You Can Do About It — This upbeat, funky opener became an instant smooth jazz radio anthem and perfectly defined the duo's energetic, guitar-driven sound.

After the Love Has Gone — A stunning instrumental cover of the Earth, Wind & Fire hit, showcasing Airplay's ability to reinterpret soul classics with intricate jazz fusion arrangements.

Straight from the Heart — A melodic and romantic ballad highlighting David Foster's keyboard work, demonstrating the project's versatility and softer side.

The album's success solidified Graydon and Foster's reputations, leading to prolific production and songwriting careers for other major artists throughout the 1980s. Although a planned follow-up album was never fully realized, the Airplay project's legacy endured through its influence on the smooth jazz genre and the continued careers of its principals.

Jay Graydon and David Foster both became Grammy-winning producers, working with stars like Chicago, Barbra Streisand, and Al Jarreau. The Airplay sound, characterized by clean production, melodic guitar lines, and lush keyboards, directly paved the way for many smooth jazz artists who followed in the subsequent decade.

For fans of Airplay's polished instrumental style, explore similar artists featured on our site like Spyro Gyra for their blend of jazz fusion and pop sensibility. The Rippingtons also carry the torch for melodic, guitar-centric smooth jazz. David Benoit shares the emphasis on piano-driven contemporary jazz arrangements. Larry Carlton mirrors the project's focus on exceptional guitar work within an accessible jazz framework.

Airplay's music maintains a steady presence on classic smooth jazz FM stations and online jazz radio streams that celebrate the genre's foundational era. Their tracks are frequently featured in programming blocks dedicated to instrumental classics and the pioneers of contemporary jazz.

You can hear the influential smooth jazz and R&B fusion of Airplay on dedicated radio stations featured here on onairium.com. Tune in to discover the sophisticated sound that helped define an entire genre of instrumental music.