Jazz has been a huge influence on R&B music since it's inception in the 1940s. Indeed, Rhythm & Blues emerged as popular blues-based music among urban African-Americans who previously danced to swing music. Early R&B bands retained many of the instruments of the jazz bands and often featured 'wild' saxophone solos rooted in the blues tradition. However, this type of jazz-based blues (originally referred to as jump blues because it was swinging and usually meant for dancing) was usually simpler than jazz's future forms (bebop, cool, hard-bop, fusion, avant-garde, etc) and lacked the complex improvisation of jazz instrumentalists.
Here is an example of an early "R&B" song from 1949: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Du6Y7umZRH8
Paul Williams "Hucklebuck" uses the melody of Charlie Parker's blues standard, "Now's the Time." He slows it down for the dancing couples of the era who would've flocked to the black dance clubs of that era. Like all R&B saxophone playing of the era, there's a lot of 'honking,' which actually influenced jazz musicians like Ornette Coleman and other R&B-influenced jazz musicians. Indeed, Ornette's bluesy honking style of playing comes from his experience playing sax for Texas R&B bands before going solo.
Here's Charlie Parker's original: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1n4yr4SmA4
Another great example of early jazz-influenced R&B is Ray Charles songs from the 1950s (Ray initially wanted to sing like Nat King Cole, but his music was always dominated by blues and gospel styles)
I Got a Woman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mrd14PxaUco
So here are several examples of more contemporary jazz-influenced R&B from the 1960s-2011
Gil Scott-Heron was not a jazz musician, but his music always incorporated jazz influences, especially on his Pieces of a Man. One might even call the album soul-jazz rather than soul or R&B. Winter in America and a few other Gil Scott-Heron albums also retain this heavy jazz influence, although more thoroughly rooted in funk.
1. The Prisoner by Gil is a great example of his use of jazz music. The song structure is like a jazz dirge, and it features jazz musicians (Ron Carter on bass). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mp45UzOxNFM
2. The Revolution Will Not Be Televised is funky spoken-word, but features a flute solo by jazz musician Hubert Laws. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGaoXAwl9kw
3. Pieces of a Man is another jazzy ballad http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSoTLmsnKvY
4. The Bottle is Latin-funk with a jazz flute solo by Brian Jackson. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upKsTCKYm4E
5. Winter in America is another jazzy ballad http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcHOq8i5Pyk
6. Rivers of My Fathers is another jazz ballad http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgauc85EdRc
7. We Almost Lost Detroit is more funk than jazz, but is still jazzy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDC_ZM48S0Y
8. Legend In His Own Mind http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPTE0Fbruzg
Marvin Gaye was also influenced by jazz music. It became more evident after he stopped recording the Motown pop material in the 1970s.
9. What's Goin' On http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f39Zs0gB87c
10. What's Happening Brother http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8pm8rEGQIk
11. Flyin High (In the Friendly Sky) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRcgeVmJgzQ
12. Mercy Mercy Me http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WxgeYXCjM8
13. Right On is Latin-jazz http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTCqgk7bfkc
14. Inner City Blues (Makes Me Wanna Holler) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tOpwgrqshU
15. Where Are We Going http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56AgF4gSSZQ
Etta James
16. Her song, At Last, though more rooted in the blues than jazz, is such a powerful song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1uunRdQ61M
Nina Simone
17. I Put a Spell On You http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Y99tXNxV5s
18. I Want A Little Sugar in My Bowl is based on a Bessie Smith blues tune, but because of it's old-time feel sounds almost like 1920s jazz/blues mixed with R&B http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJv-siu5FXY
Grover Washington, Jr
19. Just the Two of Us http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sarB0ni3B2Y
20. Ain't No Sunshine played by Grover Washington, Jr. is great http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vacZwnV-aKw&feature=related
21. Bill Withers' vocal Ain't No Sunshine is also great, though not that jazzy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xzDhLvhgQw
22. Jackson 5's cover of Who's Lovin' You is a blues-based soul ballad, so not that jazzy...but I'll include it anywayhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOxIKJTTB2k
James Brown recorded several jazz-influenced funk and soul jams back in the day. Here are my favorites
23. Try Me is a doo wop hit from 1959 that features a short sax solo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2XY6oRD2xc&feature=related
24. Papa's Got a Brand New Bag features a long funky saxophone solo by Maceo. Considered one of the earliest funk songs, it's entirely rooted in the blues and R&B/early rock (rock influence evident in the guitar) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fYQNkqegbQ
25. Superbad features an Albert Ayler-influenced free jazz solo. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otF5XwyVy2M&feature=related
26. Papa Don't Take No Mess is another jazz-influenced funk classic with James playing a piano solo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYb84KjUDOY&feature=related
27. Make It Funky is another jazz-funk jam with members of the band playing solos (saxophone, organ, electric guitar)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJHjkS0eFHM
28. Time Is Running Out Fast http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8jPg6r9bj4
29. Cold Sweat http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZKn-KLk28c&feature=related
30. It's a Man's World http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwuO2dfqrF4
31. The J.B.'s Blessed Blackness is jazz http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B8WzY1PAC4
32. Bobby Blue Bland's I'll Take Care of You has a jazzy feel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jDezN6ZudU
33. Gil Scott-Heron's cover of I'll Take Care of You http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADoCh8HfdKM
34. Lou Donaldson's jazz-funk cover of the Isley Brothers' It's Your Thing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acF8NtEKTWI
35. Herbie Hancock's Watermelon Man is pure funk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo5GcYeh7XA
36. Mongo Santamaria's Latin-jazz version http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjJaH40rArU
37. Lee Morgan's The Sidewinder http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yf1Eo-6sDIE
38. Art Ensemble of Chicago's Theme de Yoyo is jazz-funk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PppJOrnVtkg
39. Julius Hemphill's Dogon A.D. is acoustic jazz-funk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7I3BPGgcPXo
40. Ramsey Lewis's Wade in the Water http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S396v4P3HBE
41. The Flamingo's doo wop version of I Only Have Eyes For You http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvzNeh4Mq1o
42. Cannonball Adderley's Mercy Mercy Mercyhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRrFWp4DUho
43. Ramsey Lewis's The In Crowd http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3cZ6W12TUQ
44. Jr. Walker and the All-Star's Shotgun is essential funky and honking R&B saxophone (It also influenced the theme song used in the intro to the Cosby Show) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMs9NudasVI&feature=related
45. Ray Charles performance of the blues standard Night Time is the Right Time http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTruv-lVoLk
46. Hit the Road Jack also swings http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8Tiz6INF7I
47. Jimmy Smith's Root Down http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R99VnAwZepM
48. Stevie Wonder's You Are the Sunshine of My Life http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWst-r26whI
49. Stevie's Isn't She Lovely http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2WzocbSd2w
50. Stevie's Latin-jazz number Don't You Worry About a Thing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkBUx6Zn6mo
51. The Wailers' It Hurts To Be Alone is based on American R&B, and features a good guitar solo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nty-4vUmh-s
52. Freddie Roach's Brown Sugar is great soul-jazz http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjSaJzr0p9Q
D'Angelo plays some jazzy stuff as well, especially on his debut album
53. Brown Sugar http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtZWO3HgRdA
54. Smooth http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Qd89GWQgMo
55. When We Get By http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn1GIztDRnI
56. Spanish Joint http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53njOHoE4xM
Erykah Badu has some strong jazz influences in her work too
57. On & On http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7mwZULsVcQ
58. Cleva http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIT9-VQvUgo
59. Green Eyes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dh-FjG72FmQ
60. Out of My Mind, Just In Time http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYt70lFJQpA
Jill Scott often uses jazz influences in her work as well
61. A Long Walk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcHO22gHAkc
62. Brotha http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFA7-wfmhFY
63. It's Love is go-go funk with some jazz influences http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW76q2OcCR4
64. Bedda at Home http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9p8EmxbTXmc
65. Talk to Me http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zz9lq-drlck
66. Alicia Key's If I Ain't Got You http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjKrpxjp7ao
67. A Woman's Worth by Alicia Keys http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmiZg7Tt_bY
68. Bilal's All That I Am http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ke67lHxPf8A
69. Janelle Monae's rendition of Smile http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-NpATPAa08&ob=av3e
70. Justin Timberlake's Senorita has a Latin-jazz vibe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KINalKIo-_8
71. The Weeknd's What You Need is sorta jazzy, mostly a late night slow jam http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGfb9TkLnWE
72. Michael Kiwanuka's Tell Me a Tale http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTa28a8QKo4
73. Andrew Hill's Black Fire is a funky jazz classic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSwhHSlOoBc
74. Bobby Byrd's I Know You Got Soul http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LACshMapSKo
75. Amy Winehouse's You Sent Me Flying http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjNLCbIMzZs
76. Al Green's Let's Stay Together http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COiIC3A0ROM
77. Al Green's Full of Fire http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVf20HsQEUg
78. Bilal's When Will You Call http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mhjAbZtcRw&feature=related
79. Bilal's Love Poems http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BrI6zVoUNI&feature=related
80. Bobby Caldwell's Open Your Eyes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPgMjXhqmfw
81. Charles Wright's Express Yourself is very funky http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WKen6oWdJ8
82. D'Angelo's Me and Those Dreamin' Eyes of Mine http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzu8YSxSJjI
83. Erykah Badu's Kiss Me On My Neck http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiAB8NC2DYs
84. Erykah Badu's Orange Moon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ROOfKwm0o8
85. Esperanza Spaulding's Precious http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyjyNw3OKFk
86. Gil Scott-Heron's Delta Man http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8ORbZg5YaI
87. Gil Scott-Heron's Liberation Song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwQZwXAIT38
88. Gil Scott-Heron's Western Sunrise is Latin-funk/jazz-funk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARY0uQRyOHU&feature=related
89. Gil Scott-Heron's Free Will http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQgYUL8JXws cool flute solo
90. Gil Scott-Heron's Did You Hear What They Said http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oBCX6yde44
91. Gil Scott-Heron's When You Are Who You Are http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrFIK7GWxHI
92. Gil Scott-Heron's A Sign of the Ages http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGjojohhITs&feature=related
93. Gil Scott-Heron's Song for Bobby Smith http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JczQHE3IRh8
94. James Brown's Funky Drummer is jazz-funk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUjI91oTu2s
95. James Brown singing Sunny http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzSkypAIRzM
96. James Brown's Doing the Best I Can has a jazzy sax solo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7AnofEabgY
97. Lauryn Hill's version of Can't Take My Eyes Off of You http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkfKGzX7rEw
98. Nina Simone's Feeling Good http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOrqDx5dOp4
99. Prince's Adore is a jazz-influenced soul ballad http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVkw3p2xRgI
100. Ray Charles Drown In My Own Tears http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ekn9dAYfz0
101. Ray Charles singing Georgia On My Mind http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFDmKGTq9Cw
102. Ray Charles, You Are My Sunshine http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vIFXihBsAQ
103. Sade's Kiss of Life http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmOau-PMWJk&ob=av2n
104. Stevie Wonder's All in Love Is Fair http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NF5sbWheuN0
105. Stevie Wonder's Ebony Eyes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gyt5CuXKFso
106. James Brown's Ain't It Funky Now http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVeN0LWYv70
107. Nina Simone's version of My Man's Gone Now http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDIK4KhPPO0
108. Nina Simone, Ain't Got No http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZVQmJVXDkk&feature=related
109. Dinah Washington, Come Rain or Come Shine http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPgpcvbze7s
110. Dinah Washington's All of Me http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YplMZpdKq-g&feature=related
111. Dinah Washington, I've Got You Under My Skin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vC7n6SREFew&feature=related
112. Dinah Washington, Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kefYrJQ9tc
113. Headhunters, God Make Me Funky http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAfVsuVEYD0&feature=related
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