For many years, but especially post-2000, a particular musical art form known as smooth jazz has captivated a whole new generation of music fans. Hundreds of artists, from all instrument perspectives, continue to be intrigued by the smooth jazz form and nowhere is that more clear than on Stretchin’ Outside The Box, a 24-track, 2CD set of original and cover songs released in 2021 by keyboardist, arranger, producer and songwriter David Garfield. The set features Garfield’s multi-faceted keyboard-based instrumental tracks backed by over a dozen of the who’s who of the best American jazz session players. It’s no secret that these guys have such a built-in ESP connection and combined sense of the music they’re playing.

A solid R&B tinge to many of the tracks here, often backed by smooth jazz vocals, float in on waves of sax-y, synthesized soul / funk & jazz. Among the tributes here includes Garfield’s ultra-smooth cover of Elton John's “Rocket Man” (here dedicated to bass legend Jerry Scheff), as is a rockin’ instrumental, with backing vocals, rendition of “I Won’t Back Down”, the album’s tribute to Tom Petty. Ultimately, it’s a workable and rewarding concept with David having already released a number of different ‘outside the box’ projects and releases including Jazz Outside The Box, Vox Outside The Box and others. Smooth jazz and contemporary instrumental fans will eat up David Garfield’s Stretchin’ Outside The Box.