Streetwize

A smooth jazz studio supergroup led by saxophonist Kim Waters, Streetwize feature a roster of urban jazz all-stars 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 current 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.