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The sound of Kenny G's saxophone is as iconic as his curly coif; indeed, both are instantly recognizable. His latest release, New Standards, the title of his 19th studio album, fifth for Concord Records and first since 2015's Brazilian Nights, could well be used to describe his four-decade body of work, a vision of jazz that helped launch both a musical genre and radio format. After director Penny Lane's critically acclaimed HBO documentary, Listening to Kenny G - which humorously reconsiders the purist critical backlash to his music - and a demand performance on Kanye West's Grammy-winning Jesus Is King album, it's now cool to not only be Kenny G, but admit you're a fan of his as well.
"I didn't realize how strong the message was until I saw the finished film," says Kenny, who has both the best-selling instrumental album of all time in the Diamond-selling, 12-times-platinum 1992 Breathless, earning him his only Grammy Award among 15 nominations, and the Guinness Book of World Records mark for longest sustained note ever recorded on the saxophone. The feature probes some of the many Kenny G accomplishments, from his song "Going Home" being used as the official end-of-work-day anthem in China to his skills as a golfer and airline pilot. He was also one of the original 10 investors in his Seattle hometown Starbucks Coffee.
Recalling his music spawning the "smooth jazz" phenomenon, Kenny explains, "I'm proud of the fact it was a new style of music that no one was either playing or writing at the time. And it touched a great many people who weren't into traditional jazz, pop or R&B. Somewhere in the middle, they found something they were looking for and liked."
New Standards continues the musical path that has seen Kenny G sell 75 million albums around the world, looking back to the classic '50s and '60s jazz ballads for inspiration, updating them with new studio technology, such as the digital ability to piece together songs note by note from different performances. The tracks are almost equally divided between soprano and tenor sax, with one song, "Two of a Kind," featuring him on both, duetting with himself, a slight, unintended hint of Seals & Crofts' "Summer Wind" wafting through, while the wistful, airy "Moonlight" finds him taking a rare turn on alto sax, the instrument on which he first learned to play.
"I wanted to play songs with chord progressions that reflected the classic jazz era of Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Sonny Rollins, Cannonball Adderley and Dexter Gordon, while doing them my way, creating new standards," he says.
For "Legacy," he sampled the great Stan Getz playing tenor on a live, unaccompanied version of "Happy Birthday," creating a duet with him on soprano sax.
"I took those individual notes and turned them into a melody I'm proud of," explains Kenny. "I don't think that's ever been done before."
Reminiscent of his global hit duet with a filmed Louis Armstrong on "What a Wonderful World," Kenny G expects some jazz buffs night not be happy with his Getz tribute, even though, as was the case with the Armstrong song, he is donating all proceeds to the late musician's estate and family, whom Kenny says are delighted with his version.
Kenny performs a sprightly soprano sax on the opening "Emeline," named after a close family friend, while the ultra-romantic "Only You" combines a variety of throwback chord changes with a soaring tenor sax gliding its way on top.
"Rendezvous" evokes a smoky jazz ballad of the '40s with its aching tenor, the first song Kenny G recorded for the album."Paris by Night" evokes a foggy night strolling on the bridges across the Seine, while "Anthem" sports a duet between Kenny G on soprano and cello, giving the track a hymn-like, anthemic drive a song Kenny played live with the National Symphony in Nashville in December.
"Blue Skies" is an airy, whimsical melody he wrote with piano player Randy Waldman, a fellow airplane pilot -- hence the title -- whom he accompanies on soprano sax. "Milestones" offers an homage to classic jazz tropes in name and sound, while the closing "Waltz in Blue," titled for its three-quarter time crossed with a blues beat, ends the album on a rounded low B-flat, the perfect answer to the high E which begins the first track, "Emeline."
The album forms an aural narrative, which makes it the perfect vehicle to demonstrate to film directors and music supervisors that Kenny G, the world's most popular instrumental musician, is overdue to compose his first movie score.
"If any director needs a memorable instrumental for their film..." he offers. "I think I've proven what I can do."
For the last several years, Kenny G has taken to the internet with gusto, his posts becoming memes and going viral, as he continues to have fun with the whole idea of being his iconic self, satirized in South Park, Trolls World Tour (as a frizzy-haired sax player threatens the whole pop music cosmos with his "smooth jazz") and Saturday Night Live's Kenan Thompson-hosted "What's Up With That?" segment, where Fred Armisen plays a certain frizzy-haired soprano sax player.
"I don't know why they just don't have me do it," Kenny G laughs, perfectly in on the joke. "When I was on the show playing with Foster the People, I told them, 'Hey guys, I'm right here.' I can fake playing sax really well."
And, as you can hear on the excellent new New Standards, he does quite fine when he plays for real, too.
A great way to start off the holiday season. Kenny G along with his amazing band played all the holiday classics. Kenny G is a down-to-earth type of guy who took the time to talk to fans before and after the show.
I must say that it was a fantastic way to spend a Wednesday night! Kenny G was absolutely amazing!! I remember him when he played many many years ago in Toronto and he started at the top of the venue and played his way down to the stage and joined his band. This night was no exception as he played on the aisle of the floors and entertained the audience was a solo note that lasted forever!! His style of music was enjoyable for all. His bandmates - each had their own solo moment and each did not disappoint. Each and every person had their own talents and was great to be apart of this evening!! Can NOT wait til Kenny G returns to "The Hammer!!!"
Kenny G is an amazing artist, however, we were extremely disappointed as this tour is marketed as a "Miracles Holiday Tour" and he only played 3 Christmas songs. That was the whole reason we bought tickets, was to go and enjoy some holiday tunes before Christmas and we paid a lot of money for the tickets and are very disappointed.
I bought these tickets well in advance to have a beautiful night with my family, to get into the holiday spirit. Instead I walked into what appeared to be a business event. Vendors everywhere. A business lecture at the end of the concert. I almost had purchased more expensive tickets to be closer to the music. Extremely glad I didn’t. This was not a concert it was a promotional event. I grew up listening to Kenny G with my mom. Was extremely disappointed that this was what we received when spending $400 to see him in concert
I felt like the concert was in China as we were some of the only non asians there and most of his communication was in Chinese and directed toward them. Music was great except far to much time devoted to solo performance of band members Would never attend again.
Wonderful and soulful music played by a kind and caring artist
While we are Kenny G. fans and love his music. Most people would agree that they like the slow romantic music he is known for. On this show, the music showed his skill and talent, but it was of fast and unknown music we were not familiar with. We love his slow, romantic music and this show was not that. The best piece he played was the encore. Super. And during the show, a lot of people may have felt like us about he music, because they got up to go to the bar and some came back, but a lot did not. So, I would say Kenny G. should stick to the music he is known for. We love it and most do. And the majority of the show goers were older people like myself or a bit younger. I am 65.
Started playing in the audience. Totally enjoyed him and his amazing band. Purchased his wonderful CD. He even auctioned off a saxophone.
Kenny was my favorite musician and I still do love his songs but at the show he was outrageously extravagant. He would play on and on some crazy note that hurt the ears. I invited five others to go with us, and everyone wanted to leave including myself, but thought that it would be rude to leave their host and I myself wanted to leave but hoped it would get better as time went on. Yes, he did play a few of his songs, actually only 4 in a 2 hour concert. It was not worth what I paid Settle down Kenny G! His bass guitarist was excellent, and his percussionist was great and pianist sort of went on and on also following in Kenny's steps, the drummer was good.
This was my first time seeing Kenng G, not only is he a fantastic musician but also a great entertainer.. There was a lot of audience participation. His band is great and we loved the whole show. He is a 'must' see!
Incredible performance, played for 2 hours. He walked the crowed, told a few stories.
Fantastic musician and great entertaining band to compliment his performance.
Another great performance by Kenny G. His down to earth personality connects with the audience. You can see all the members of the band enjoy what they do. Kenny G continues to marvel with the way he plays the sax and the sounds that he can draw from it. Can't wait for the next visit to the Greater Toronto Area, Casino Rama.
the show was really great, and one could get a feeling that Kenny G seemed to be really enjoying himself.
Absolutely the best performance I have seen by a musician, bar none. Spectacular talent, incredible showmanship, unbelievably wonderful. I could see it again and again.
In a word DISAPPOINTING. We have been fans of Kenny G since the beginning. We have seen him in concert several times. This particular concert was almost identical to the one he did at Casino Rama 9 years ago. We were hoping to hear tracks from his new CD, but Kenny played most of his old hits. We also felt that there was way too much chatting to the audience. It is always nice when an artist acknowledges his backup band, but we paid to see and hear Kenny G. His backup musicians probably took up about 15-20 minutes of the concert doing solos. But the most disappointing moments were when Kenny raffled off one of his saxaphones. It appeared that the venue staff were not prepared because Kenny had to keep asking about the 2 chairs that were to be brought up on stage and for the raffle tickets. The young couple that won were so preoccupied with getting selfies with Kenny and programing their IPhone to record the moment. For the first few moments on stage, the young man totally ignored Kenny and was looking down at his phone while Kenny obviously waited to shake his hand. How RUDE people!!. Kenny was extremely patient, but I feel that this whole segment wasted a good 5 minutes of concert time. Needless to say, we will probably not be attending another Kenny G concert.
Kenny G is a very talented musician whose music is truly magical.
Great musician -- excellent show -- well worth it and would go again!
Terrific night out watching Kenny G and his band. Very talented and professional. Engaged the audience often and is a very down-to-earth musician. Can't wait until he comes back.
I was planning to see Kenny G in the States..Looked on the Ticketmaster and he was in concert in my back yard. Great Performer...Great Show
