Kenny G

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 53)
Origin Seattle, Washington USA
Genre(s) Smooth jazz
Adult contemporary
Occupation(s) Musician
Composer
Songwriter
Instrument(s) Primary:
Soprano saxophone
Secondary:
Alto saxophone
Tenor saxophone
Flute
Years active 1982 – present
Label(s) Arista (1982–2006)
Concord Jazz (2008–present)
Website www.kennyg.com

Saxophonist Kenneth Gorelick (born June 5, 1956), better known by his stage name Kenny G, is an American saxophonist His fourth album, Duotones, brought him "breakthrough success" in 1986.[1] 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 Seattle, Washington,[2] 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] At Franklin High School he failed to get into the jazz band when he applied,[3] although was accepted the following year when he tried again.[4] He also played for his high school golf team,[4] a sport which he had loved ever since his older brother, Brian Gorelick, introduced it to him when he was ten years old.[4]. 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 ever professional job as saxophone soloist for Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra in 1973 at the age of 17, when White was impressed by his mastery of the blues scale.[5] Kenny was also studying for a major in accounting at the same time.[6] After being rejected as a music major from Central Washington University, he went on to get a degree from University of Washington and played with the funk band Cold, Bold & Together[6] before becoming a credited member of The Jeff Lorber Fusion.[5] He began his solo career after his period with Lorber.[5]

In 1982, Kenny G signed with Arista Records as a solo artist, after label president Clive Davis heard his rendition of ABBA's "Dancing Queen".[5] He has released many solo albums and collaborated with various artists including Andrea Bocelli, Whitney Houston,[7] Toni Braxton,[8] Natalie Cole,[9] Steve Miller[10] (which marked the only time he appeared on a rock and roll album), Dudley Moore, Michael Bolton, and Aretha Franklin.[7] 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 sixth 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.[6]

In 1997, Kenny G earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for playing the longest note ever recorded on a saxophone. Kenny G held an E-flat for forty five minutes and 12 seconds in the Hopkins-Bright Auditorium at D&R Music World in New York City.[11] That same year, Kenny G's song "Havana", from his album The Moment, was remixed by noted DJs Todd Terry and Tony Moran and released promotionally to dance clubs in the U.S. These mixes went to #1 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart in April of 1997, giving Kenny his first (and, to date, only) #1 on this chart.

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. Pat Metheny responded to this recording by saying, "With this single move, Kenny G became one of the few people on earth I can say that I really can't use at all - as a man, for his incredible arrogance to even consider such a thing, and as a musician, for presuming to share the stage with the single most important figure in our music." [12][13][14][15][16] 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."[17] Some columnists countered the criticisms suggesting such a recording would bring classic jazz to a wider audience.[18] Nevertheless, Kenny G fans considered the live performance of this duet with Armstrong on a video taped backdrop a "show stopper."[19] 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."[20]

Kenny G has recorded some Chinese songs, like "Jasmine Flower" (茉莉花), and his music is noticeably popular in China. His recording "Going Home" is often played at closing time at public places or the at end of classes at schools.

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.[21] In 1994, Kenny G won the Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition for Forever in Love.

On August 4, 2008, TVGuide.com announced that Kenny G would be guest-starring and performing on ABC's Dirty Sexy Money tentatively scheduled to air October 8, 2008. [22]

Personal life

Kenny G is currently married to 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.[23]

He plays golf regularly, and has a playing handicap of +0.6.[3] He has participated in the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am tournament seven times as of February 7, 2008,[4] and Golf Digest awarded him the position of number one musician golfer in their December rankings of Top 100 in Music.[3][4]

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

Kenny G is also one of the original investors in the Starbucks coffee house chain.

He has one sister, Paula, and one brother, Brian. Brian's son David is a musician and plays bass in the band "Puking up Sunshine."

Discography

Albums

Studio albums

Holiday albums

Live albums

Greatest hits/Compilation albums

EPs

Singles

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

Videography

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Kenny G Is Still the Smooth Jazz King". Barnes & Noble.com (October, 2002). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
  2. ↑ Kenny G Biography
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Diaz, Jaime (December, 2006). "After selling millions of records, Grammy winner Kenny G wants to conquer golf". GolfDigest.com. Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Kroichick, Ron (February 7, 2007). "Kenny G can swing with the best of them", Scripps News, ScrippsNews.com. Retrieved on 2007-04-07. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Yanow, Scott. "Kenny G Biography". AllMusic.com. Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Zimmerman, Kevin (September 30, 2002). "Kenny G Has Time on his Side". BMI.com. Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Sandow, Greg (2007). "Kenny G". Microsoft Encarta. Microsoft Corporation. Retrieved on 2007-05-04. 
  8. ↑ "The Moment - Credits". Allmusic. Retrieved on 2007-05-07.
  9. ↑ "Everlasting - Credits". Allmusic. Retrieved on 2007-05-07.
  10. ↑ "Living in the 20th Century - Credits". Allmusic. Retrieved on 2007-05-07.
  11. ↑ Haring, Bruce (1997-12-02). "Kenny G. Blows", Yahoo!. Retrieved on 2008-01-15. 
  12. ↑ 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
  13. ↑ 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
  14. ↑ JazzOasis.com - Pat Metheny on Kenny G
  15. ↑ 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
  16. ↑ KENNY G "Classics in the Key of G" Arista, Mike Joyce, The Washington Post, August 27, 1999
  17. ↑ ABC Good Morning America, July 9, 1999
  18. ↑ Gee whiz, give Kenny a break. (Arts and Lifestyle), Shirley Maldonado, The Boston Herald, August 10, 2000
  19. ↑ 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
  20. ↑ KENNY G PRESENTS SOME OLD FAVORITES FROM YESTERYEAR. (Entertainment) Seattle Post-Intelligencer, May 27, 1999
  21. ↑ "Top Artists". RIAA.com (July 31, 2006). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
  22. ↑ Mitovich, Matt (2008-08-04). "Exclusive: Kenny G Engages in Dirty Sax", TVGuide.com. Retrieved on 2008-06-19. 
  23. ↑ "Mr. G Sounds Off". LHJ.com (May, 2003). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
  24. ↑ "G Force - Billboard Singles". AllMusic.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-25.
  25. ↑ "Gravity - Billboard Singles". AllMusic.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-25.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 "Duotones - Billboard Singles". AllMusic.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-25.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 "Silhouette - Billboard Singles". AllMusic.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-25.
  28. ↑ "Kenny G Live - Billboard Singles". AllMusic.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-25.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 "Breathless - Billboard Singles". AllMusic.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-25.
  30. ↑ "Miracles: The Holiday Album - Billboard Singles". AllMusic.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-25.
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 "The Moment - Billboard Singles". AllMusic.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-25.
  32. ↑ "Classics in the Key of G - Billboard Singles". AllMusic.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-25.
  33. ↑ "Faith: A Holiday Album - Billboard Singles". AllMusic.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-25.
  34. ↑ "Paradise - Billboard Singles". AllMusic.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-25.
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 "Wishes: A Holiday Album - Billboard Singles". AllMusic.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-25.
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 "At Last...The Duets Album - Billboard Singles". AllMusic.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-25.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 "The Greatest Holiday Classics - Billboard Singles". AllMusic.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-25.

External links

Kenny G
Studio Albums
Kenny G  · G Force  · Gravity  · Duotones  · Silhouette  · Breathless  · The Moment  · Paradise  · Rhythm & Romance
Singles
"Songbird"  · "Forever in Love"  · "By the Time This Night Is Over"  · "Havana"
Holiday Albums
Miracles  · Faith  · Wishes
Live Albums
Kenny G Live  · Best
Greatest hits albums
The Very Best of Kenny G  · Kenny G - Greatest Hits  · Ultimate Kenny G  · The Greatest Holiday Classics  · The Essential Kenny G
Compilation albums
The Collection  · Montage  · In America  · The Romance of Kenny G  · The Holiday Collection
Cover albums
Classics in the Key of G  · At Last...The Duets Album  · I'm in the Mood for Love...The Most Romantic Melodies of All Time
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