Top Contemporary Jazz Chart – April 24, 1996

Looking back 30 years at the top-selling contemporary jazz albums chart, it was the all-star Q’s Jook Joint from Quincy Jones keeping perennial number one Kenny G from the top spot. Like his previous multi-Grammy-winning recording Back on the Block recording, Q went through his mile-thick rolodex and called artists from several genres including jazz and hip hop. The album is a one-of-a-kind wonder from the master producer. Where else are you gonna have Phil Collins and Joshua Redman on a Duke Ellington composition? Or Herbie Hancock ripping a mean keyboard solo, the cast of Stomp, and a rap appearance from Shaquille O’Neal on “Stomp” – I mean, come on. In addition to the stellar names like Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Bono, and Chaka Khan, you’ll find James Moody, Hubert Laws, Brandon Fields, Grant Geissman, Kirk Whalum, Take 6, and Toots Thielemans.

At number three is Jerald Daemyon, a Detroit native who became a breakout star in the mid-90s by blending classical violin technique with R&B, hip-hop, and contemporary jazz. He had a hit of sorts with his cover of Kool and the Gang’s “Summer Madness“. Daemyon produced, arranged, and programmed most of the Thinking About You himself. He even rapped and sang on a few tracks, which was highly unusual for a GRP artist at the time.

Top Contemporary Jazz Albums
Week of May 4, 1996