Grover Washington, Jr.

Winelight

First released1980

Winelight, released in 1980, was recorded at various studios including The Power Station in New York, showcasing Grover Washington Jr.'s smooth jazz saxophone style at the height of the smooth jazz era. The album was produced by Quincy Jones, who brought his extensive production expertise to craft a polished, accessible sound that appealed to both jazz and pop audiences. The recording featured a sophisticated blend of live instrumentation and studio arrangements, with Washington's warm tenor saxophone as the focal point throughout the project. The album's commercial success was significantly boosted by the hit single "Just the Two of Us" featuring Bill Withers, which became one of the decade's defining smooth jazz compositions. Winelight won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Album in 1981, cementing Washington's status as a leading figure in the smooth jazz genre and demonstrating the commercial viability of accessible jazz fusion during this period.