One of the godfathers of smooth jazz, Grover Washington, Jr. is an American saxophonist, composer, arranger, and producer. He made a name for himself in the early '70s, releasing records with CTI that bewitched fans with his soulful, emotional tone. Those albums would prove to be hugely influential on later artists like Kenny G, Dave Koz, and Chris Botti. Washington's covers of pop hits often rivaled the originals, while his collaborations with vocalists like Bill Withers, Patti LaBelle, and Phyllis Hyman crossed over and climbed the pop charts.