In 2009, Billboard Magazine named Boney James the Jazz Musician of the Decade and the tremendously talented saxophonist certainly lives up to that moniker. While seen as a forerunner of the smooth jazz movement, Boney's style of playing combines pop and RnB and his style is often seen as grittier and more textured than the easy-listening genre.

When going through the list of the greatest R&B and funk frontmen of all time, Charlie Wilson will always lead the pack. The charismatic crooner rose to prominence fronting The Gap Band in the 70s and 80s, before embarking on a stellar solo career, releasing hits like There Goes My Baby, Yearning For Your Love and Burn Rubber throughout.