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 "Whitney Houston had the ability to touch her listener's inner soul. She had the gift of one of the most powerful voices in the history of the world. She has influenced many of today's pop female singers." - Alan and Lita Blake
 “I was stunned and saddened by the news of Whitney Houston's passing. She was one of the greatest voices of our generation. She and her talent will be missed immensely. My heart goes out to her family. Thank you Whitney for all the great music you left us.”
- Nick Colionne
 “My heart is very heavy with sorrow from the unfortunate passing of music icon, Whitney Houston at the young age of 48. Ms. Whitney, “Nippy” as she was affectionately called by loved ones, was the world’s greatest female vocalist of all time. Her sleek, soulful and powerful voice and vocal range was unparalleled and incomparable. Her God given talents inspired all vocalists, all musicians and fans across the entire world alike in immeasurable ways.
From 1985 and on, the presence of your “VOICE” and musical prowess was seen, heard and felt very deeply, by everyone’s eyes, ears, heart & soul. You delivered performances from your music recordings and stage shows that could not and will never be duplicated or replicated. There will never be another you, Whitney.
Tony Bennett said it best, “When I first heard her, I called Clive Davis and said, 'You finally found the greatest singer I've ever heard in my life.'" This is a quote that has stood the test of time, as Mr. Bennett has been quoted recently in the wake of Whitney’s passing.
We have lost a world treasure. Ms. Whitney, you will always be missed but you will never be forgotten with the illustrious and indelible musical legacy that was carved out with your “VOICE”.
I offer my deepest condolences to Whitney Houston’s daughter, Bobbi Kristina, her lovely mother Cissy and the rest of her family and close friends. “
- Alfonzo Blackwell
 “At her best she was the best but it was difficult to watch her decline. The Bodyguard was my era in music and more importantly Whitney Houston was all I wanted to be as a young girl. Even though she stopped being my role model long ago I will always remember how great she was to me when I needed it most. I think its important to remember Whitney without rose colored glasses.” – Shannon Edwards
 “I think we all feel the same sadness that we lost Whitney. She was an undeniable talent, one of the all time best singers and I remember when I heard her for the first time, thinking, what a voice and beauty. Unfortunately, her passing was not a surprise but it still breaks your heart when you hear the news. A troubled soul on earth, now an angel.” – Michael Lington.
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May 1, 2012 - We live in a world where most instrumental music sounds like it was made for a 5x5 vertically moving room and that includes some Smooth Jazz. Interestingly, most Smooth Jazz musicians are technically some of the best players on the planet but many have fallen into this big vacuous hole, an amnesic state, where channelling Bert Kaempfert is common place. 
April 17, 2012 – Get ready for another beautiful journey from David Benoit on May 29th. His new album, `Conversation,’ will no doubt serve as another expansion for the Smooth Jazz format. 
April 26, 2012 - Norah Jones is set to appear with a Live-on-Letterman webcast, featuring Jones from the prestigious Ed Sullivan Theater in New York, Wednesday, May 2nd at 8:00 ET. This is a clever, strategic move for Jones to push her next album “Little Broken Hearts” set for a May 1st release. 
April 4, 2012 – Esperanza Spalding is a groovy chick. I mean, really, when she’s in the room, everyone else disappears and I’m talkin’ more than that big “love-sculpture” hair. She’s the type of musician you might walk up to at a party, ask about her music, and walk away three hours later regretting the question. This lady has a vision so you better have a seat. 
February 21, 2012 - As it was stated during the Grammy Awards, "We've had a death in the family." Now our own Jazz family is remembeing Whitney Houston. 
February 21, 2012 - Shock, disappointment and horror are some of the many words fans used to describe Whitney Houston’s untimely death last week (February 11, 2012). My family and I were outside a Starbucks when one of our radio listeners texted me with, at first, the rumor. 
– Not many groups have stood the test of time like Airborne. Coming in around the time that the NAC format was really starting to cook, 1988, this outfit grew with every project, gig and album. Having just released their most powerful album yet, New Horizon’s, it looks like the world is ready for this, a full dose of positive, social conscious fusion. We sat down with the band to chat about all the twisting, yet beneficial roads taken. 
– The smart ones in life know that it’s not how you fall down in life that counts but how you get up. Zach Bandolin has had his fair share of topsy-turvy moments but the guitarist keeps swinging. 
- French Smooth Jazz guitar sensation Emmanuel Abitebol, more known as U-NAM, came to fame with his widely acclaimed somophore album ‘Back from the 80’s’ released in 2007. 
October 20, 2011 – This is no ordinary album. In fact, there is nothing normal about this album and that’s what makes this one of the most perfect projects that’s ever come across my desk. 
– On her third album Colbie Caillat has decided to strategically give us an uptempo summer-vibe. It still sounds like her smash debut “Coco” but this time it’s Colbie with caffeine and it’s positive and fun
– There are not too many things in life as deliciously lazy as Michael Franks voice. The guy could chill out someone on deaths door. Seriously, angst has no place on a Michael Franks record – he’s good at one great thing..making you feel good! 
- Programming Smooth Jazz Radio has allowed me to discover talent over the decades and follow the twists and turns in their career. Such is the case of saxophonist Steve Cole an artist whom has played on numerous number #1 Smooth Jazz hits and been a regular spin on most smooth jazz radio stations play lists. 
– There’s always been an understated value to everything that Sade does and sameness to her entire repertoire. That quality of old wine has served the singer/band well… until now. Unlike Norah Jones who has, at least, tried to mix-up-the-pot, Sade really needs to stop wearing the same dress to every party. 
– Well, one things for sure, Mindi Abair is not shopping on Main Street anymore. As they say, “run away from the past and eventually it will run into you.” 
am crushed that Nippy (Whitney) has left us. Artistically she had one of the most satisfying voices I have ever heard. A melodic pop sensibility, tinged with a down home gospel flavor that gave it authenticity. I just love listening to her. I first heard her sing out at New Hope Baptist Church in New Jersey while on an expedition out there to hear her mother (Cissy) sing. We were considering using Cissy to sing backup vocals on songs I was recording for my very first record deal. What a surprise to hear her young daughter with her angelic composure as she proceeded to shake the rafters loose. I absolutely had to have her sing as well, and I ended up singing several duets with Whitney (unreleased). I was nervous as hell..jpg)
“It’s unfortunate that it took Whitney Houston’s death for the world to remember how amazing she was. After watching The Bodyguard for the first time and listening to her ‘Greatest Hits’ continually for the past week it’s hard not to be in awe at the brilliance of what she was. Now as we move on it’s as important to learn from what happened.
“The world has lost one of the all-time greats. She had such a rare gift, one that reached the outer-limits of the globe...no matter the language, her voice was understood. That's the mark of a true icon, someone who's influence will be felt forever. The world will miss you, Whitney.” - 
“Whitney Houston was an incredible talent. I grew up listening to Top 40 radio, and she changed the face of it for me. She brought instant heart and soul and feel ...and this voice that could just soar above the music. I have to say that she influenced a generation of singers and musicians definitely including myself. And she introduced me to Kirk Whalum via the song "I Will Always Love You". That's the best pop saxophone solo in history.” – 
“Whitney was so blessed with a voice that touched everybody! Her music will always stand the test of time! Much love to her family and friends around the world!” - 
“Very sad to hear of the passing of Whitney Houston- the world has lost a great talent. I just watched her 1991 version of "The Greatest Love of All" from the Welcome Home Heroes concert. Her singing is effortless, just like breathing for the rest of us. I love the message of the lyrics and watching this footage of her always moves me to tears.” - 
”What can I say. I wish she had never met Bobby Brown!” – 
"Hearing Whitney Houston sing was like listening to magic. I will never forget her singing "The Star Spangled Banner" at the Super Bowl, completely perfect in every way." - 
"Whitney was a rarity, who put forth her entire being into every note she sang. She gave so much of her soul to her music and to her fans and all we can say now is 'thank you for your gift'." 
"Whitney Houston set the vocal bar very high, that paved the way for other singers to follow. Whitney was in a class of her own. I've been singing and humming Whitney Houston's songs continuously since she parted from this earth. There's a new angel singing in Heaven! RIP Whitney." 
“What a voice! Absolutely the best voice of the modern era. She set the bar for female vocalists and no one did it better. Incredible range, dynamics, tone quality and what an incredible gift she was given from God. I will truly miss her. May she rest in peace and please let us focus on her career and not her personal life. God Bless you Whitney!” 
“Whitney Houston a wonderful and gifted vocalist who with her strong, sensitive and spiritual voice amazed us all. Her greatest gift of all was that we felt that love she had for music whenever we heard her sing to guide us all to a higher level of excellence. A true Lady and Legend that was heaven sent. She will be in our hearts, minds and souls forever. Thank you, Whitney for your gift.” 
"There is and was no purer vocalist than Whitney. Even those who have come close to her level are successful! That shows how amazing she was!" 
“As artists we are best remembered by the music we create and the legacy of our lives this soundtrack provides for our fans everywhere! Whitney sadly has left us way too early but through her music her spirit lives on always! What a voice! I remember growing up as a teenager, and seeing/listening to her on the Grammy’s, radio, television and even movies. She was THE female pop star with that incredible controlled voice all female singers emulated and wished they could be during the 80’s and early/mid 90’s! She will be deeply missed and my sincere condolences to all her family and friends!” 
“She possessed a voice so pure and beautiful and sang so effortlessly that we were all inspired listening to her. She will be sorely missed.” - 
“Whitney's voice was more than a voice, it was an instrument. No auto-tune, no crazy effects, just pure talent straight from the church choir. Her musical approach to melody and improvisation influenced not just vocalists, but instrumentalists like myself, and has taught me how to make your instrument "sing".” – 
“Whitney Houston, one of the greatest vocalist’s in this modern day ... her picture will hang on the wall of every musical venue across the world. Her memory will never fade.” - 
"In one musical phrase Whitney was sassy street, thunderous power and a sudden angel - We have lost a penultimate artist." 
"Whitney Houston had one of the greatest voices of our time. Her influence runs wide and deep in the music community and will continue to do so for generations to come" – 
“Since Whitney has been part of popular music for over a quarter century, it's easy to forget how very good she really was. If one listens to the sheer quality of her voice: her control, her phrasing, her pitch and her tone; she really had one of the most incredible voices of our times. Her artistry, her beauty and her talent will be greatly missed, and we can be thankful that we have heard such a gifted voice in our lifetime. A true loss in the world of music. She had few rivals, to be sure.” - 
"Whitney was surely on the comeback trail, with Clive Davis at the helm. Clive only backs the winners, and she was coming up from the back of the pack, aiming for a good showing at the finish line. As recently as last August, her TV interviews indicated that she had seen the last of her demons, and was poised to reclaim at least a portion of her former glory. Unfortunately, she stumbled in the home stretch with a disastrous outcome. It must be very hard to escape the downward spiral of fame, hard drugs, and general over indulgence, and although we all mourn Whitney's passing, this will be a sobering signpost to all on the road to a life in music." - 
