Streetwize

A smooth jazz studio supergroup led by saxophonist Kim Waters, Streetwize feature a roster including singer Maysa Leak and guitarist Ken Navarro. The idea of collaboration is nothing new to jazz — smooth or otherwise — the twist here is that Streetwize perform contemporary rap and R&B radio hits. Their first album, Streetwize: Smooth Urban Jazz, was released by Shanachie in 2002 and featured versions of Mystikal's "Shake It Fast," Aaliyah's "Rock the Boat," and D'Angelo's "Brown Sugar." A second album, Work It, appeared the next year with Kim Waters and company polishing the edges off tracks made popular by Missy Elliott, Erykah Badu, and Jennifer Lopez. In 2004, Streetwize delivered the sultry Slow Jamz featuring the Isley Brothers tributes "Don't Say Goodnight" and "Between the Sheets." Two years later, the band returned with Does Dre which included songs associate with rapper Dr. Dre such as Eminem's "My Name Is," Snoop Dogg's "Gin and Juice," and "Nuthin' But a G Thang." The band continued in the slow jam cover song vein with 2007's Sexy Love, 2008's Streetwize Does Mary J Blige, and 2009's Put U to Bed. In 2012, Streetwize released its eighth studio album, Feelin' Sexy, featuring covers of songs by Robin Thicke, R. Kelly, Frank Ocean, and others. Body Party followed in 2013 with versions of Ciara's song of the same title, Drake's "Hold On, We're Going Home," and Tamar Braxton's "The One." ~ Wade Kergan & Matt Collar, Rovi