A versatile and prolific guitarist with a remarkably gentle, fluid style, Chuck Loeb became a leading figure in the world of smooth jazz and was known for his slick, feelgood melodies and soothing, meandering compositions.

Born in Suffren, New York, he started playing at the age of eleven and grew up listening to classic sixties rock bands, but after discovering master jazz guitarists such as George Benson, Wes Montgomery and John McLaughlin, he took lessons from John Coltrane's mentor Dennis Sandole and the legendary Jim Hall, and studied composition at the Berklee College of Music.

Becoming a regular on New York's jazz scene in the late 1970s, he played with Chico Hamilton and Ray Barretto before joining saxophonist Stan Getz's group and playing boss nova and bebop tunes. He went on to marry Spanish singer Carmen Cuesta and joined funky fusion group Steps Ahead, with whom he was hugely inspired by leader Michael Brecker, before displaying his flawless technique and melodic warmth on debut solo album 'My Shining Hour' in 1989 and 'Magic Fingers', his collaboration with pianist Andy LaVerne in 1990. He also formed the eclectic improvised group Metro with Mitchel Forman and soulful, ambient groove ensemble The Fantasy Band with sax player Marion Meadows; but his best work came on solo albums 'The Music Inside' in 1996 and 'Listen' in 1999, where his subtle, lyrical grooves and graceful, elegant tones came to the fore.

As a session musician he worked with Bob Dylan, Carly Simon, Art Garfunkel and Johnny Mathis, and he produced records for Kim Waters and Nelson Rangell, before joining Bob James's all-star, smooth jazz quartet 'Fourplay' in 2010. His final solo album 'Unspoken' was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Instrumental, but he died in 2017 aged 61 after suffering with cancer.

Chuck Loeb

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