In the '60s, artists such as Wes Montgomery and producer Creed Taylor made music that appealed to listeners of music other than jazz, with sweet string harmonies, accessible rhythms, condensed improvisations and slick production. Crossover jazz was initially closely related to the jazz-funk and fusion movements of the late '60s and early '70s, and extensively produced on CTI Records.

Notable Artists: Earl Klugh, Grover Washington Jr., Bob James