Kenny G

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Kenny G
Kenny G playing at The Players Championship award ceremony
Kenny G playing at The Players Championship award ceremony
Background information
Birth name Kenneth Gorelick
Also known as Kenny G
Born June 5, 1956 (1956-06-05) (age 51)
Origin Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Genre(s) Smooth jazz
Adult contemporary
Occupation(s) Musician
Songwriter
Instrument(s) Soprano saxophone
Alto saxophone
Tenor saxophone
Flute
Years active 1982 – present
Label(s) Arista (1982 – present)
Website www.kennyg.com

Kenneth Gorelick (born June 5, 1956), better known by his stage name Kenny G, is an American saxophonist whose fourth album, Duotones, brought him "breakthrough success"[1] in 1986. Kenny's main instrument is the soprano saxophone, but he also plays the alto and tenor saxophone and the flute on occasion.

Contents

Early life

Kenny was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and first came into contact with a saxophone when he heard someone performing with one on The Ed Sullivan Show.[1] He learned how to play under the direction of local trumpeter Gerald Pfister and by practicing along with records (mostly of Grover Washington, Jr.), trying to emulate the sounds that he was hearing.[1] His early studies with Pfister resulted in his ability to play the saxophone horizontally, without compromising his control of the pitch. This would later be regarded as a revolution in modern saxophone technique. At Franklin High School he failed to get into the jazz band when he applied,[2] although was accepted the following year when he tried again.[3] He also played for his high school golf team,[3] a sport which he had loved ever since his older brother, Brian Gorelick, introduced it to him when he was ten years old.[3]. Brian Gorelick is currently a music professor and choir conductor at Wake Forest University.

Career

Kenneth Gorelick began his career as a musician when he acquired his first professional job as saxophone soloist for Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra in 1976 at the age of 20, when White was impressed by his mastery of the blues scale.[4] Kenny was also studying for a major in accounting at the same time.[5] After he graduated from the University of Washington he played with the funk band Cold, Bold & Together[5] before becoming a credited member of The Jeff Lorber Fusion.[4] He began his solo career after his period with Lorber.[4]

In 1982 Kenny G signed with Arista Records as a solo artist, after label president Clive Davis heard his rendition of the ABBA classic, "Dancing Queen".[4] He has released many solo albums and collaborated with various artists including Whitney Houston,[6] Toni Braxton,[7] Natalie Cole,[8] Steve Miller[9] (which marked the only time he appeared on a rock and roll album) and Aretha Franklin.[6] Influenced by the likes of saxophonist Grover Washington, Jr. and the lyricism of Barry Manilow, his own albums are usually classified as smooth jazz.

He received success quite early on, with both G Force and Gravity, his second and third studio albums respectively, achieving platinum status in the United States. These sales were topped by his fourth studio album, Duotones, which shifted over five million copies in the U.S. alone. His fifth studio album, Breathless, became the number one best selling instrumental album ever, with over 15 million copies sold, of which 12 million were in the U.S. He broke another record when his first holiday album, Miracles, sold over 13 million copies, making it the most successful Christmas album to date.[5]

Gorelick's 1999 single, “What A Wonderful World” stirred controversy among the jazz community regarding the overdubbing of Louis Armstrong's classic recording. A common criticism was that such a revered recording by a musician known especially for improvisation should not be altered.[10][11][12][13][14] The "duet" was produced by David Foster who also recorded the Natalie Cole and Nat King Cole duet. Gorelick stated at the time,"...I didn't want to spoil the original. I said, 'Whatever we do, if we're not going to make it better, let's throw it away and we won't do it.' So (Foster) guaranteed that it would be better, and I hope that we did a good job on it."[15] Some columnists countered the criticisms suggesting such a recording would bring classic jazz to a wider audience.[16] Nevertheless, Kenny G fans considered the live performance of this duet with Armstrong on a video taped backdrop a "show stopper."[17] Additionally, Gorelick has stated that all the proceeds from this single go to his Kenny G Miracles Foundation which "funnel(s) the money to charities to purchase musical instruments and to supplement funding for the arts in schools."[18]

As of 2003, Kenny G was named the 25th-highest selling artist in America by the RIAA, with 48 million albums sold in the USA as of July 31, 2006.[19] In 1994, Kenny G won the Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition for Forever in Love.

Personal life

Kenny G is currently married to wife Lyndie Benson, with whom he has two children – Max (aged thirteen) and Noah (aged nine). They have expressed an interest in saxophone and piano respectively.[20]

He plays golf regularly, and has a playing handicap of +0.6.[2] He has participated in the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am tournament seven times as of February 7, 2007,[3] and Golf Digest awarded him the position of number one musician golfer in their December rankings of Top 100 in Music.[2][3]

Kenny is also a pilot, and has been known to fly to many events.

Musical criticism

While Kenny G's entry into the smooth jazz market remains popular with the buying public, he was publicly criticized by two notable jazz guitarists. Many people criticize his bright sound on soprano saxophone and claim that he plays out of tune.[21]

It is not widely known that Kenny G's soprano saxophone is one that he has been playing since the age of 16. He is afraid to get it modified or buy a new one because he is afraid it will wreck his sound.

Guitarist Pat Metheny's criticisms of Kenny G are especially well documented, as first printed on Metheny's own Web site forum in 2000, and archived on Jazz Oasis.com.[21] Drawing Metheny's extreme ire was Kenny G's overdubbing of Louis Armstrong's recording of What a Wonderful World, an act Metheny described as follows:

“ By disrespecting Louis, his legacy and by default, everyone who has ever tried to do something positive with improvised music and what it can be, Kenny G has created a new low point in modern culture — something that we all should be totally embarrassed about. ”

—Pat Metheny, Interview on Jazz Oasis[21]

Metheny criticized G further, saying that the saxophonist had:

“ ...through his unbelievably pretentious and calloused musical decision to embark on this most cynical of musical paths, shit all over the graves of all the musicians past and present who have risked their lives by going out there on the road for years and years developing their own music inspired by the standards of grace that Louis Armstrong brought to every single note he played over an amazing lifetime as a musician. ”

—Pat Metheny, Interview on Jazz Oasis[21]

English guitarist Richard Thompson seconded Metheny's thoughts by writing the song "I Agree With Pat Metheny, Kenny's Talents Are Too Teeny". Among the song's pointed lyrics are:

“ A meeting of great minds, how nice
Like Einstein and Sporty Spice
Digitally fused in an abortion
Oh, Kenny fans will doubtless rave
While Satchmo turns inside his grave
Soprano man's bit off more than his portion.		 ”

—Richard Thompson, [22]

Kenny was memorably lampooned in Wayne's World 2, when Wayne's sidekick Garth mentally compared attending a Kenny G concert to undergoing painful dental surgery.

Discography

Music samples:

Kenny G - Songbird

Sample from Kenny G's "Songbird". From the album Duotones.

Problems listening to the file? See media help.

Kenny G - The Joy of Life

Sample from Kenny G's "The Joy of Life". From the album Breathless.

Problems listening to the file? See media help.

Kenny G - End of The Night

Sample from Kenny G's "End of The Night". From the album Breathless.

Problems listening to the file? See media help.

Albums

Studio albums

Holiday albums

Live albums

Greatest hits albums

Compilation albums

Cover albums

EPs

Singles

Year Title Chart Positions
US Hot 100 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop US Adult Contemporary US Top 40 Mainsteam US Rhythmic Top 40 US Adult Top 40 US Hot Country US Top 40 Tracks
1984 "Hi, How Ya Doin'?"[23] #23
1985 "Love on the Rise"[24] #24
1986 "Don't Make Me Wait for Love"[25] #15 #17 #2
1986 "What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)"[25] #15
1987 "Songbird"[25] #4 #23 #3
1988 "Silhouette"[26] #13 #35 #2
1989 "Against Doctor's Orders"[26] #65
1989 "We've Saved the Best for Last"[26] #47 #18 #4
1989 "Going Home"[27] #56 #46 #5
1992 "Forever in Love"[28] #18 #73 #1 #18 #33
1993 "By the Time This Night is Over"[28] #25 #37 #1 #29
1993 "Sentimental"[28] #72 #27
1994 "Even if My Heart Would Break"[28] #28
1995 "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"[29] #26
1996 "The Moment"[30] #63 #62 #16
1997 "Havana"[30] #66
1999 "What a Wonderful World"[31] #22
1999 "Auld Lang Syne"[32] #7 #57 #3 #40 #15 #49 #30
2002 "One More Time"[33] #19
2002 "Deck the Halls/The Twelve Days of Christmas"[34] #26
2003 "Auld Lang Syne [Freedom Mix]"[34] #98
2005 "I Believe I Can Fly"[35] #28
2005 "The Way You Move"[35] #12
2005 "My Favorite Things"[36] #22
2005 "We Wish You a Merry Christmas"[36] #15
2006 "Jingle Bell Rock"[36] #35

Videography

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Kenny G Is Still the Smooth Jazz King. Barnes & Noble.com (October, 2002). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
  2. ^ a b c Diaz, Jaime (December, 2006). After selling millions of records, Grammy winner Kenny G wants to conquer golf. GolfDigest.com. Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
  3. ^ a b c d e Kroichick, Ron. "Kenny G can swing with the best of them", Scripps News, ScrippsNews.com, February 7, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-04-07. 
  4. ^ a b c d Yanow, Scott. Kenny G Biography. AllMusic.com. Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
  5. ^ a b c Zimmerman, Kevin (September 30, 2002). Kenny G Has Time on his Side. BMI.com. Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
  6. ^ a b Sandow, Greg (2007). "Kenny G". Microsoft Encarta. Microsoft Corporation. Retrieved on 2007-05-04. 
  7. ^ The Moment - Credits. All Music Guide. Retrieved on 2007-05-07.
  8. ^ Everlasting - Credits. All Music Guide. Retrieved on 2007-05-07.
  9. ^ Living in the 20th Century - Credits. All Music Guide. Retrieved on 2007-05-07.
  10. ^ http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=15999 Kenny G: At Last...The Duets Album Mark Sabbatini, AllAboutJazz, December 30, 2004, Retrieved September 1, 2007
  11. ^ http://jazz.about.com/od/albumreviews/gr/essentialkennyg.htm The Essential Kenny G: A Smooth Jazz CD Review, John Matouk, AboutJazz.com, Retrieved September 1, 2007
  12. ^ http://www.jazzoasis.com/methenyonkennyg.htm
  13. ^ http://www.salon.com/ent/audiofile/2005/03/16/thompson/ Thompson on Kenny G -- and Janet Jackson's breast, Audiofile, Salon.com, March 16, 2005, Retrieved September 2, 2007
  14. ^ KENNY G "Classics in the Key of G" Arista, Mike Joyce, The Washington Post, August 27, 1999
  15. ^ ABC Good Morning America, July 9, 1999
  16. ^ Gee whiz, give Kenny a break. (Arts and Lifestyle), Shirley Maldonado, The Boston Herald, August 10, 2000
  17. ^ Parrotheads flock to Merriweather: Nesting with Buffett; Kenny G at Nissan, Irish at Wolf Trap. (Washington Weekend)(Riffs), Raymond M. Lane, The Washington Times, August 26, 1999
  18. ^ KENNY G PRESENTS SOME OLD FAVORITES FROM YESTERYEAR. (Entertainment) Seattle Post-Intelligencer, May 27, 1999
  19. ^ Top Artists. RIAA.com (July 31, 2006). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
  20. ^ Mr. G Sounds Off. LHJ.com (May, 2003). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
  21. ^ a b c d Pat Metheny on Kenny G. JazzOasis.com. Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
  22. ^ Tillman, Don (March 7, 2005). I Agree with Richard Thompson. Till.com. Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
  23. ^ G Force - Billboard Singles. AllMusic.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-25.
  24. ^ Gravity - Billboard Singles. AllMusic.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-25.
  25. ^ a b c Duotones - Billboard Singles. AllMusic.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-25.
  26. ^ a b c Silhouette - Billboard Singles. AllMusic.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-25.
  27. ^ Kenny G Live - Billboard Singles. AllMusic.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-25.
  28. ^ a b c d Breathless - Billboard Singles. AllMusic.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-25.
  29. ^ Miracles: The Holiday Album - Billboard Singles. AllMusic.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-25.
  30. ^ a b The Moment - Billboard Singles. AllMusic.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-25.
  31. ^ Classics in the Key of G - Billboard Singles. AllMusic.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-25.
  32. ^ Faith: A Holiday Album - Billboard Singles. AllMusic.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-25.
  33. ^ Paradise - Billboard Singles. AllMusic.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-25.
  34. ^ a b Wishes: A Holiday Album - Billboard Singles. AllMusic.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-25.
  35. ^ a b At Last...The Duets Album - Billboard Singles. AllMusic.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-25.
  36. ^ a b c The Greatest Holiday Classics - Billboard Singles. AllMusic.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-25.

External links


Persondata
NAME G, Kenny
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Gorelick, Kenneth
SHORT DESCRIPTION Musician, Songwriter
DATE OF BIRTH 1956-6-5
PLACE OF BIRTH Seattle, Washington, United States
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenny_G"
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