How did smooth jazz differ from other jazz styles?

Smooth jazz, which emerged as a development of jazz-rock, differs from other jazz styles primarily through its focus on polished, radio-friendly production and commercial appeal.12

While traditional jazz is often defined by its emphasis on improvisation and the creative, extemporized contributions of the performer, smooth jazz frequently utilizes a minimum of improvisation and has been known to abandon traditional jazz elements almost entirely. Because of its highly produced, accessible sound, the genre has been described as ranging from soulful recordings by artists like Sade and Al Jarreau to bland, background-oriented "elevator music".123

In contrast to the complex, individualistic flourishes found in earlier jazz eras, smooth jazz prioritizes a consistent, "polished" aesthetic designed for broad commercial consumption.2