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Kenny G

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About

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.

Reviews

Rating: 4.6 out of 5 based on 95 reviews
  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    by Anonymous on 2010-08-19Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary

    I've listened to Kenny G for 20 years and it was a thrill to see him live! What an amazing talent and so down to earth! I love his sense of humor and that his Mom is Canadian! What a pleasant surprise! I hope he does apply to have a duel citizenship! An excellent concert ! Excellent band!! I hope that is not the last time I see him perform!

  • Rating: 3 out of 5

    Kenny G needs variety

    by MAIS on 2010-08-19Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary

    Kenny G is probably the best sax player in the world but he needs more variety in his show. The show needs duets and more popular songs to hold your interest. We know he can blow the horn but one long , unending piece to demonstrate what he can do would have been sufficient.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Kenny is so skillful with the Sax

    by Anonymous on 2010-08-19Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Edmonton

    The sound was very good. I love the fact that Kenny G showed up among the audience when the concert started, this was fantastic! All the band guys were very good and Ray plays excellent. It was an excellent gesture from Kenny G to give away her brand name Sax.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Great Jazz

    by kittencurl27 on 2010-08-19Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary

    I have been listening to Kenny G. for a couple of years now. Seeing him play in Calgary was fantastic! And that he signed autographs after the show was very considerate of him! Great music!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Kenny G gave a stellar performance!

    by ship23mom on 2010-08-18Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary

    Kenny G is a phenomenally talented musician as are the members of his band. His performance was exceptional. He seems to have such energy on the stage. He has a good sense of humour. I also come from Saskatchewan and congrats on becoming a Canadian. I have every one of his CD's including the new one Heart and Soul. All the musicians were showcased during the evening's program. If I might add, the one thing that the performance did not need was the colored spotlights. We had such great seats and when the spots shone it was distracting.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Kenny G...breath-taking!!

    by TLCG on 2010-08-18Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary

    Kenny G was just a few feet from us, playing. His humor, and band were a very nice surprise. I don't know if we can put into words how fabulous the evening was. We were blown away by his talent!!

  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    Kenny G was awesome!

    by Rural on 2010-08-18Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Edmonton

    I really enjoyed the evening. I was thrilled at the opportunity to possibly go on stage with him and win a saxaphone! My only dislike is the long ongoing noise from the sax to show how long Kenny can keep the sound going, he can go so long it became a bit annoying and for it to be on the CD is also unpreferred. I am also one who does not enjoy each individual doing a solo with their instrument, I prefer to have the beautiful songs played the whole event. It was a very intimate and enjoyable evening. Top quality musicians. I would go again for sure.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Kenny G was Fantasic

    by MarcelH on 2010-08-18Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary

    My wife and I really enjoyed the show, I would really recommend seeing Kenny and his band whenever he has a chance to play in your area. The few solos preformed by each band member were fantastic and complimented the show and Kenny, to a G.. Highly entertaining, time few by to fast.

  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    Kenny G was full of nice surprises!

    by 80sperson on 2010-08-18Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary

    I had been to one of the Marsalis brothers before and almost fell asleep. I was mildly interested when my husband told me he wanted to go. It turned out that we got upgraded from 2nd balcony to 1st balcony at SAIT's auditorium. Then, Kenny did a nice concert with sort of a power point presentation with romantic images behind as well as names/definitions of his songs. If you bought a couple of his merchandise items, he also raffled off a soprano sax which he designed at every concert. To top that off, he gave autographs before and after the show and someone was kind enough to let those who brought children priority in line for autographs. He was an excellent performer and has a great sense of humor along with his talented band!

  • Rating: 2 out of 5

    Sound level was over our limit!

    by OldFellow on 2010-08-18Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary

    Program was probably okay for some but much too loud for us. We had to leave at the break unfortunately.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Kenny G

    by sammiekatz on 2010-08-18Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Edmonton

    Phenomenal musician! Phenomenal Band as well!! Loved his personality with audience and with his band and so impressed that he showcased each of them so they could show their "stuff" as well!! Ended too soon!!!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Kenny G was phenomenal!!

    by dreamers2 on 2010-08-18Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Edmonton

    It's the best concert I've ever seen. He was so confident and very talented! It's my first time to watch him perform. I luv his music. His band was awesome as well. A concert well put together!! They are all talented.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Better than expected!!!

    by Ouyyeh on 2010-08-18Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary

    Awesome performance!! Way better than I expected!! Very entertaining and great band all together! will definitely see again if in area.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Kenny G is an unbelieveable talent!!

    by Lolabean on 2010-08-18Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary

    I have been a fan of Kenny G for quite a long time. He is the best at what he does..make beautiful, romantic music.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Beyond words...

    by Fan007 on 2010-08-18Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary

    Wow... better than I could have ever imagined! My hubby was quite reluctant about going however after the show, he was speech less. The synergy between Kenny and the Band Members is unbelievable... the camaraderie and care oozes... this guys have a special relationship. The humour was great... the music was fantastic...

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Kenny G was phenomenal

    by ValT on 2010-08-18Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary

    Kenny G was amazing. He is very personable and really cares about his audience. I was disappointed the show didn't attract more people, as they missed a great performer. I am curious why we didn't hear Kenny's music on the radio leading up to his show, which would have sold more tickets, as Michael Buble, who is played on the radio constantly before his show, to the point I was tired of hearing him. Kenny also has a fantastic band, who I would love to see again sometime. All in all a wonderful evening with lots of nostalgia. Come back again Kenny, we love you and you are the best saxaphone player.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Kenny G was awesome!

    by leleng on 2010-08-18Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary

    An unforgettable night it was! Kenny G performed many of his hit tunes. He was also interacting with the audience. He even gave away a saxophone and serenaded the winning couple with it! What a night! I would love to see him again if he comes back to Canada.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    by Myran on 2010-08-18Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary

    When I was young, I first heard of Kenny G's 'Songbird' and 'Silhoutte' while cruising in a boat around Manila Bay. It still undoubtedly transported me to that calm and amazing sunset at Manila bay at the concert. Plus I had a great time.

  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    Kenny G as a Canadian

    by tremor on 2010-08-18Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary

    First off I will say that the music and the artists were as expected.... very good. I have always wanted to see Kenny G in concert and now that I have I can take that off my bucket list. Now... On the negative side, both my wife and I felt that he was resentful that the Jube was not full to capacity with comments like, it is nice to see that you paid top dollar for those seats. He also went on and on about the intermission that apparently the Jube forces on all concerts. So... overall the music was awesome and but he should just talk less as it generated a very negative environment. Good Luck with the rest of your tour Kenny.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    by Anonymous on 2010-08-18Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary

    Excellent!!! and He is awesome people!! and the show was very romantic and beautiful!