News - Weezer Rocks with Kenny G
Written by
11/03/2009

New music video "I'm Your Daddy" performed by Weezer, featuring Kenny G. Click here to view the video!

News - "Kenny G lands in Adoration Central"
Written by Butch Leitz, Colorado Springs Gazette
10/06/2009


Kenny G wows and woos fans in Colorado Springs on Sunday October 4th at the Pikes Peak Center. Read more about this enchanting evening in the Colorado Springs Gazette.

News - Kenny G at the Greek Theatre
Written by
07/24/2009

Special show announcement!

Kenny will be appearing at WaveFest on Saturday, September 26th.

Pre-sale starts Monday at 5PM PST; tickets on sale to the public Saturday, August 1 at 10:00AM.

Links active after 5PM PST:
Ticketmaster 1• Ticketmaster 2

The password is THEWAVE.

News - Joe Gransden's debut
Written by Kenny G
07/06/2009

Please go to the smoothjazznetwork and listen for the debut of Joe Gransden. I produced his new CD and did a trio with him and Earl Klugh on "Tears in Heaven" that is being featured this weekend. Please vote for this song!!!

News - Kenny G on the KTLA Morning News
Written by
06/12/2009

News - Chicago Jazz 87.7FM
Written by Kenny G
05/26/2009

If you live in Chicago, you may know that WNUA 95.5 is no longer playing smooth jazz. I have some great news to share. Smooth Jazz is back on the radio at 87.7 FM ! ... and you can catch me on the air every Saturday and Sunday from 10AM to 2PM. Tell your friends about Chicago's new home for me,Kenny G and for Smooth Jazz, 87.7, "The L".

News - Kenny G Visits the Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation
Written by Kenny G
03/11/2009

If at all possible, please give generously to The Nicklaus Childrens Health Care Foundation.

News - Contest Winner
Written by
03/10/2009

Here is a picture of the winner of the "Why I Want to Play Saxophone" contest. This is Renzo and he won a free E series Alto saxophone from me. This is a picture at my concert in Norman, Oklahoma.

News - Skate for the Heart
Written by Associated Press
02/04/2009

DENVER, Colo (AP) _ World-renowned saxophonist Kenny G and an impressive cast of Olympic and world-class figure skaters will headline a one-of-a-kind ice concert, "Amway Global Skate for the Heart."

The goal of the show, which will air on NBC on Feb. 7, is to raise awareness and prevention of heart disease.

Among the skaters to appear in the concert are two-time Olympic champion Ekaterina Gordeeva, two-time Olympic medalist and two-time world champion Irina Slutskaya, Olympic gold medalist Viktor Petrenko, reigning world champion Jeffrey Buttle and three-time US medalist Caryn Kadavy. Also appearing will be world ice dancing champion Shae-Lynn Bourne, eight-time British Champion Steven Cousins and Olympic bronze medalist Jozef Sabovcik.

U.S. pairs champions and 2010 Olympic contenders Rockne Brubaker and Keauna McLaughlin are special additions to the cast. They took home silver medals in the previous two international Grand Prix competitions.

Several of the skaters have personal ties to heart disease. Gordeeva lost her first husband and Olympic skating partner Sergei Grinkov to heart disease. Slutskaya has been battling a heart ailment of her own and is a national spokesperson for the American Heart Association.

Kenny G, a former Grammy Award winner, has sold more than 33 million albums since 1991.

News - Skate for the Heart airs on NBC
Written by
02/02/2009


TUNE IN on February 7th to NBC for your chance to see Kenny G perform at Skate for the Heart, a collaborative event benefiting the American Heart Association. The featured list of skaters to perform are Ekaterina Gordeeva, Viktor Petrenko,ƒ‚Jeffrey Buttle, Irina Slutskaya, Jozef Sabovcik, Shae-Lynn Bourne, Caryn Kadavy, Steven Cousins, Keauna McLaughlin & Rockne Brubaker. Hosted by Peggy Fleming and Andrea Joyce. Air time is scheduled for 1pm-3pm PST and 4pm-6pm EST, check your local listings for channel informtion.

News - Kenny G Announces UK Tour (tickets on sale Friday)
Written by
01/21/2009

Kennedy Street Enterprises by arrangement with The Agency are pleased to announce "An Evening with Kenny G". The world's most renowned saxophonist and multi-platinum selling musician will embark on his first UK tour in 12 years. Tickets go on sale from 9am, Friday 23rd January.

Dates include Birmingham Symphony Hall (April 20), Manchester Apollo (April 21), Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (April 23), London Royal Albert Hall (April 27) and Bournemouth BIC (April 28). National Credit Card Hotline - 0871 424 4444, Book Online: www.ticketline.co.uk.

For the past two decades Kenny has established himself as the biggest-selling instrumental musician of the modern era, with global sales totaling more than 75 million albums, with 45 million albums sold in the U.S. alone. His most recent studio album, the Latin influenced Rhythm & Romance, originally released in the UK during March 2008, is a unique combination of rich Samba, Salsa and Bossa Nova love songs anchored by Kenny's intoxicating and signature saxophone melodies.

News - Latin Grammys take notice of Kenny G's sultry side
Written by MARIO TARRADELL - The Dallas Morning New
09/30/2008

Kenny G loves talking up his latest album, Rhythm & Romance. But his eagerness to discuss his foray into Latin music isn't just about trying to sell a few copies.

Rhythm & Romance is a decidedly daring record for a saxophonist who's never been considered musically adventurous. Inspired by his love of Stan Getz's early bossa nova albums, the disc is a milestone in many ways:

It's his first record nominated for a Latin Grammy Award, in the best instrumental album and best engineered recording categories.

It's his first project mixed at his home studio.

It's his first album after leaving Arista Records, his label home since debuting in 1982 with Kenny G.

That last accomplishment carries particular weight. Arista Records and its founder, Clive Davis, with whom Kenny worked closely throughout much of his career, rejected Rhythm & Romance.

"The bottom line is I asked them to trust me, trust my instincts," he says by phone from his home in Los Angeles. "And they didn't. ... They didn't think it would make any money. I thought, 'Haven't you done the math on my CDs?' Whether you think this is going to make money or not, we've made enough. Be in my camp."

He is no slouch when it comes to record sales. According to the Recording Industry Association of America, Kenny G has shipped 48 million CDs to retailers since 1982. Rhythm & Romance, which debuted on Billboard's pop album chart at No. 14, has sold 185,000, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

So the 52-year-old Seattle native took his project to Concord Records. Rhythm & Romance is a sultry effort, crafted with talented players such as drummer Alex Acuƒa, percussionist Paulinho Da Costa, bassist Nathan East and pianist Walter Afanasieff. His signature sax work is smooth, romantic in a breezy, tropical night sort of way. He employs guest vocalists Barbara Muƒoz and Latin pop group Camila. Out of a dozen tracks, only two are covers "Sabor a Mi" and "Besame Mucho."

"Here I am, a white guy just trying to put myself in a place where I am going to write music that sounds authentic," he says. "When I finished the record and played it for people, a lot of them thought they were cover songs. That was a compliment to me."

He's also mighty humbled by those two Latin Grammy nominations, especially the one for best engineered album.

"It was the first record that I mixed in my home studio," he says. "I'm really proud of that. The Latin Grammy Awards ... it's an area where I'm coming into somebody else's world. I'm not a Latin guy, and I didn't grow up with Latin music. ... To have that nomination from the community that I'm dabbling in is quite an honor."

He has only one request from the folks at the Latin Grammy Awards, which will be presented Nov. 13 in Houston and broadcast live on the Univision Network.

"Let me perform ... We're actually working on that now."

PLAN YOUR LIFE

Kenny G performs with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Wednesday and Thursday at 8 p.m.
at the Meyerson Symphony Center, 2301 Flora St.
Tickets are $40-$100. 214-692-0203, www.dallas symphony.com

News - Kenny G Nomiated for Latin Grammys!
Written by Concord Music Group
09/10/2008




Just released this morning, Kenny G has been nominated for two Latin Grammy Awards for his album 2008 "Rhythm and Romance". One for Best Instrumental Album (Category 27) and one for Best Engineered Album(Category 46). The awards will be held on Thursday November 13 at the Toyota Center in Houston Texas. It will air live on the Univision Television Network 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central.

Click here to download the complete list of nominees for the event.

News - Send a Kenny G Postcard
Written by Webmaster
07/17/2008

We've added a new feature to the site! You can now send a customized Kenny G e-card to your friends and family. Just click on the link below.

Send an e-card/

There's also a link under the Media menu name.

News - Let's Talk About Sax
Written by Kenny G
07/14/2008

Let's talk about saxophones. I started on the Alto sax, then I played Soprano ( the straight one ) and then I played Tenor. There is no order to the learning of the saxophone, but I believe starting on Alto is the best way because it's not too big and it plays pretty much in tune. The Soprano is an instrument that gets a sweeter tone ( in my opinion ) but is much harder to play in tune and is better for someone who already has a few years of experience playing the saxophone. ( Alto or Tenor ) There really isn't a correct age to start playing either. I started at 10 years old and I have seen over the years that most good players started around that time. 10-14 years of age. Here's the thing about the saxophone that is different from let's say Piano or Guitar. It really takes years before the actual sound of the instrument gets good.

There just isn't any shortcut for time spent blowing that saxophone. There are a lot of muscles in and around the mouth and lips that have to get really strong in order for the tone to be good. And there is breath control that takes time to get used to as well. So I always tell kids that are starting the sax to not get discouraged if they haven't got a good or beautiful sound, even after 4-5 years. It just takes time and patience and as long as they enjoy the instrument, that is the main thing. It took me about 8 years before I started to sound decent on the sax!!! I still practice 2 hours a day to maintain all the physical parts of playing and that helps me keep my tone in shape too, not to mention the scales etc...that I work on to keep me playing at the top of my game!! But I love it and it is a labor of love. The main thing is to just enjoy it and be patient. All good things come in time.

Kenny G

News - Saxophonist Argues He's Worth Taking Seriously
Written by Adrianne M. Murchison
06/25/2008

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Kenny G has traveled an interesting road.

Wednesday it brings him to Chastain Park Amphitheater, but for years the sax man has taken hits from critics and fellow musicians who say he lacks jazz artistry. Yet Kenny G (his real name is Gorelick) has sold more than 75 million records collaborating with such vocalists as Smokey Robinson, Natalie Cole and Aretha Franklin. (Albeit, he
was criticized when he resurrected the late Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" in a 1999 duet.)

Kenny G., who has sold more than 75 million records, brings his sax act to Chastain Park Wednesday night.

More recently Kenny G ended his 25-year relationship with Arista Records. The saxophonist says the company was reluctant to produce the type of album that he wanted to make. He went over to Starbucks Entertainment and Concord Records and recorded his first Latin jazz album, "Rhythm & Romance." This week it's ranked No. 5 on Billboard's Top Contemporary Jazz list.

Here's four questions with Kenny G.

Q: It was a big step to leave Arista. Was that because you weren't able to bring creativity to your music in the way that you wanted to?

A: They wanted me to record cover material. It was really about doing my original material. I like the idea of it being a Latin album. It was just something about Latin music with the sax sound that seemed really good to me.


Q: Do you think that you get a bum rap from music critics who say your music doesn't have depth?

A: I don't pay it any attention. Artists are supposed to make the music they like. I just keep doing what I like doing and things seem to work out OK.


Q: Your sons [ages 14 and 10] play the guitar and piano, do you play together? Hold jam sessions?

A: Not yet. They are young. They have to earn their right to do the real deal. They are still practicing their skill level and they are not really playing songs. Kids should practice the skill and technique of the instrument.


Q: What music do you listen to in you down time, other than your own?

A: I listen to music to study it, period. Not for the enjoyment of it. And then it's old jazz. People might say that doesn't sound right. I listen to Sonny Rollins, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane.
It's mainly about technique and choices in notes and patterns for [me to] study.


Concert: Saxophonist Kenny G 8 p.m.,
Wednesday at Chastain Park Amphitheater. $25-$70. 4469
Stella Drive N.W., Atlanta. 404-733-4800, 404-249-6400, www.classicchastain.com


http://www.ajc.com/living/content/printedition/2008/06/25/kennyg.html

http://www.accessatlanta.com/music/content/music/stories/2008/06/24/kennyg_concert_chastain.html

News - Kenny G Swings Big in Tourneys
Written by Arizona Central
06/25/2008

MALIBU - Kenny G tossed his trademark curly locks in a ponytail, put on his baseball cap and impressed his playing partners by hitting a long drive down the first fairway at Malibu Country Club.

He was playing another gig Monday, but not the one he thinks he's any good at. His admirers will argue.

Gorelick - his last name - has combined playing two of his loves - golf and the saxophone - to help all sorts of charities.

On Monday, he played in the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department for the Stars and Stripes Golf Classic. The tournament raised about $50,000, which will benefit the S.T.A.R. program. Kenny G was the top attraction and earned a tee time with L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca, a principal and a lieutenant.

Kenny G offers his golf skills - he's a scratch golfer - to one lucky team, then plays a mini-concert afterward. He entertains on the golf course, too, so it's been a successful operation.

"I'm one of those guys who likes to do things and contribute to something I can see and touch and feel," Kenny G said. "I prefer to do something I can see, and I get to meet all these officers."

And they get to meet him.

Kenny G is one of the world's most famous saxophonists, but lately he's more famous as a celebrity golfer.

He started playing both as a fourth-grader in Washington, but it was
easier playing the saxophone since it rained a lot. He's a member of Sherwood Country Club, so he can play golf as much as his schedule allows.

"I'm really nervous playing with him," said Liam Joyce, the principal at Topanga Elementary, before the group teed off.

Not because of Kenny G's musical prowess, of course.

"He's a phenomenal golfer," Joyce said.

Which was a good thing for the S.T.A.R program, which helps educate children about the dangers of drugs, gangs and violence.

Kenny G's sons have been educated in the program, which sends officers to schools.

Kenny G has a new album, "Rhythm & Romance," and he's on tour again, but everywhere he goes people want to know how he got to be a scratch golfer. It helps that Butch Harmon, Phil Rickelson's swing coach, is a friend.

He decided to enact a swing change - by way of his wrists - on the sixth hole. It was something Harmon mentioned to him. He hit an approach shot within 3 feet of the hole.

"This is cool," he said smiling.

On the par-3 seventh hole, he hit his 5-iron, with the adjustment, over the green on the fringe. He said it was the best 5-iron he's ever hit. Like a giddy schoolboy, he pounded his heart and gave a thumbs-up sign.

Kenny G admits he could get obsessed about golf, and we can see why he'd say that. He knows what's going wrong with his own swing, and he was offering tips that helped the sheriff as well. He repeatedly told Joyce he had a beautiful shoulder turn, which became a joke among the group. During the round, he stopped in a fairway to work out a couple of kinks with Joyce's swing. Like an instructor, he kept asking him to swing again, then told him he couldn't figure out what he was doing wrong.

He told Baca it was about time he made a putt for the group, and Baca obliged when he made a 12-foot birdie putt on the 15th hole.

Kenny G told jokes, swatted a fly off the head of a golfer, offered plenty of tips and needled the sheriff. On the first hole, Kenny told Baca: "You can hit from the ladies tee if you're more
comfortable there."

And Kenny G doesn't hog all of the snacks. He passed on burgers and hot dogs in favor of a hot dog bun with vegetables. He's watching his cholesterol.

Kenny G tries to strike a balance when he performs, whether it's at a concert or on the golf course. He practices the saxophone two hours a day, but often spends more time at the range. That's the nature of the game.

"You want to perform your best over time, so you've got to be even," Kenny G said while using his hand to motion a flat line.

"That's why I have an aptitude for golf."

News - Kenny G Hits Right Notes on Golf Course, Too
Written by Jill Painter, Golf Columnist
06/25/2008

Kenny G tossed his trademark curly locks in a ponytail, put on his baseball cap and impressed his playing partners by hitting a long drive down the fairway at Malibu Country Club on the first hole.

He was playing another gig Monday but not the one he thinks he's any good at.

His admirers will argue.

Kenny G has combined playing two of his loves - golf and the saxophone - to help all sorts of charities.

On Monday, he played in the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department for the Stars and Stripes Golf Classic. The tournament raised about $50,000, which will benefit the S.T.A.R. program. Kenny G was the star attraction and earned a tee time with L.A.County Sheriff Lee Baca, a principal and a lieutenant.

Kenny G offers his golf skills - he's a scratch golfer - to one lucky team, then plays a mini-concert afterward. He entertains on the golf course, too, so it's been a successful operation.

"I'm one of those guys who likes to do things and contribute to something I can see and touch and feel," said the jazz performer, whose full name is Kenny Gorelick. "I prefer to do something I can see, and I get to meet all these officers."

And they get to meet him.

Kenny G is one of the world's most famous saxophonists but lately, he's more famous as a celebrity golfer. He started playing both as a fourth-grader in Washington state, but it was easier playing the saxophone since it rained a lot.

He's a member of Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, so he can play golf as much as his schedule allows now.

"I'm really nervous playing with him," said Liam Joyce, the principal at Topanga Elementary, before the group teed off.

Not because of Kenny G's musical prowess, of course.

"He's a phenomenal golfer," Joyce said.

Which was a good thing for the S.T.A.R program, which helps educate children about the dangers of drugs, gangs and violence.

Kenny G's sons have been educated in the program, which sends officers to schools.

Kenny G has a new album out - "Rhythm & Romance" - and he's on tour again, but everywhere he goes, people want to know how he got to be a scratch golfer. It helps that Butch Harmon, Phil Mickelson's swing coach, is a friend.

Kenny G decided to enact a swing change - by way of his wrists - on the sixth hole. It was something Harmon mentioned to him. He hit an approach shot within three feet of the hole.

"This is cool," he said, smiling.

On the par-3 seventh hole, he hit his 5-iron, with the adjustment, over the green on the fringe. He said it was the best 5-iron he's ever hit. Like a giddy schoolboy, he pounded his heart and gave a thumbs-up.

Kenny G admits he could get obsessed about golf, and we can see why he'd say that. He knows what's going wrong with his own swing, and he was offering tips that helped the sheriff as well. He repeatedly told Joyce he had a beautiful shoulder turn, which became a joke among the group. During the round, he stopped in a fairway to work out a couple of kinks with Joyce's swing. Like an instructor, he kept asking him to swing again, then told him he couldn't figure out what he was doing wrong.

He told Baca it was about time he made a putt for the group, and Baca obliged when he made a 12-foot birdie putt on the 15th hole.

Kenny G told jokes, swatted a fly off the head of a golfer, offered plenty of tips and even needled the sheriff. On the first hole, he told Baca: "You can hit from the ladies tee if you're more
comfortable there."

And Kenny G doesn't hog all of the snacks. He passed on burgers and hot dogs in favor of a hot dog bun with vegetables. He's watching his cholesterol.

Kenny G tries to strike a balance when he performs, whether it's at a concert or on the golf course. He practices the saxophone two hours a day but often spends more time at the range.

"You want to perform your best over time, so you've got to be even," Kenny G said while using his hand to motion a flat line.

"That's why I have an aptitude for golf."

He can play injured, too, just like Tiger Woods. He's played with bleeding lips and strained fingers.

But he still works at his craft every day.

"If I didn't touch the saxophone for a year, I'd still be good," Kenny G said. "Would I be at the top of my game? No. Certain people want to be the best, and I'm that way."

You can find Kenny G at a course near you or July 26 at the Greek Theatre. He was off to Atlanta on Tuesday for a concert. And, as always, he packed his golf clubs.

News - Kenny G Will Spice Thursday Concert with Latin Rhythms
Written by Ann Hicks, Arts Writer
06/23/2008

Kenny G is apologetic about being late for the phone interview and says, "at least I'm here."

Not really. He's speaking from his Malibu home via his BlackBerry, but soon the saxophonist G-man will be really be "here" at the Peace Concert Hall.

While he'll offer a "a little sampling" of his new recording, the Latin-infused "Rhythm and Romance," at the Thursday concert, the 52- year-old artist says he'll mostly perform songs "that people have known and loved from my past recordings."

So get set to hear a repertoire of pop and jazz sounds that got started a quarter century ago and, through the years, earned him Grammy, American Music, Soul Train and World Music awards, plus a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

As for his foray into Latin standards such as "Sabor A Mi" and "Besame Mucho," Kenny G says he's been interested in the genre for years, and finally found time in his career to see "if I could do a
whole album like this."

"I'm real happy for how it turned out," he adds.

The saxophonist and his longtime collaborator, pianist Walter Afanasieff, penned most of the love songs rich with samba, salsa and bossa nova rhythms.

Asked about his favorite instrument, the soprano saxophone, the musician says while he loves the way it sings and fits his musical style, he's just as fond of alto and tenor sax, both of which he plans to play during his concert.

Piano, bass, drum, percussion and guitar will accompany him.

While music is his first love, Kenny G is also a devoted golfer.

Told there are some fabulous championship courses around Greenville, he says if he can fit it into his schedule he would love to try his clubs at one of them.

A scratch golfer who's played "a couple of times" with Tiger Woods, he admits with a laugh that there's a world of difference between a fine amateur and the league of golfers Woods represents.

But, just like Woods with his clubs, he says, "I practice every day to become a better and better saxophone player."

YOU CAN GO

What: Saxophonist Kenny G

When: 8 p.m. Thursday

Where: Peace Concert Hall

Tickets: $45-$55

Information: 467-3000

News - Kenny G raises funds for the STAR Program!
Written by Extra TV
06/19/2008



Musical sensation Kenny G is joining forces with the L.A. Sheriff's Dept. for the Stars & Stripes Golf Classic in Malibu. The singer -- named #1 on Golf Digest's "Top 100 in Music" list -- will raise funds for the STAR program by golfing and performing at the Classic on June 23. To purchase tickets, please call 562.946.7263.

News - Straight From Kenny!
Written by Kenny G
06/17/2008

Hey Everyone,

We just came off the road and had a great 10 day run. We started off in Asheville, NC and played a private party for a group that is building a world -class Arnold Palmer course. I got to hit the first ceremonial golf balls on this course....right after Arnold Palmer. Not bad for a Jewish sax player from Seattle right??

We played another 5 concerts on the east coast and finished at the V98.7 Jazz Festival in Detroit. V98.7 is the Smooth Jazz station in Detroit and they play a lot of my music, so I was happy to go there and support their festival. The weather was perfect and the crowd was pretty big...over 7,000.

The hard part was the early morning flight back to LA, but I wanted to be home early for Father's day. It was a pretty flawless tour...no big logistical problems, no equipment failure and we all played good throughout the tour. We go back out on the 25th of June and play a really cool place in Atlanta called Chastain Park. All outside...people bring their food and wine and enjoy the music under the stars.

I am inviting an Atlanta Trumpet player named Joe Gransden to play a couple of tunes with me that night so this will be a special gig. I'm producing his album and I believe he is going to be a big star!!!

That's it for now....

KG

News - Smooth JazzFest features Kenny G
Written by ERIN PODOLSKY
06/13/2008

Musician just fine with aging audience

SPECIAL TO THE FREE PRESS - June 13, 2008

It's June, the Hoedown and Movement are a fading memory in the collective Detroit mind. That means the time has arrived for Smooth JazzFest and all the sensuous saxes, oboes and clarinets you can shake a stick at.

Organized by WVMV-FM (98.7) and held outside the Southfield Civic Center, the three-day Smooth Jazzfest is now in its 10th year, boasting a roster of national and local jazz talent to keep crowds grooving all weekend long.

But one guest stands out -- a festival first-timer.

"It's our 10th anniversary, and it's very exciting to be able to bring Kenny G in. He has never played the festival before," says the station's marketing promotions director Maureen Barkume.

"We lowered ticket prices this year to make it reasonable just so everybody could come out and enjoy the show. It's going to be a great weekend."

We talked to Kenny G, who's jazzed about everything from the possibility of hot, humid weather to amazing hair products to a new ringtone -- a never-recorded melody -- on his Web site. (Check it out at www.kennyg.com.)

Why he loves performing in humid weather and hopes it's like that for his show: "See, for a sax player, hot and humid means that my reed is happy happy, and that means that my sax is going to sound really good. Cold and dry, twice as much work, maybe even more, to get the same sound out of a saxophone."

Plan B, if it rains: "I like the humidity of the rain... If I'm playing I'll have somebody standing over me with an umbrella... maybe three people with umbrellas, just to be sure."

Worries about how the weather will affect his signature mane?: "Put enough product in your hair, and it looks good in any weather. L'Oreal can call me anytime, you know, I'm worth it."

How he got into Latin jazz for his latest album, "Rhythm and Romance": "It was my idea to see if I could get my saxophone to play with some Latin rhythm under it. ... Recording in the studio with live Latin players was new for me, and I think it came out great."

Why the album forced him to part ways with his record label, Arista, after 25 years and 30 million records sold: "They wanted me to do another album of classic songs, whatever, songs of the '50s, '60s. ... I just said no. And they said no (to Latin jazz). So we said good-bye to each other. I'm very happy with my new partners at this point, but it's still sad when you have a relationship for 25 years."

What it's like to be out there in these iTunes days, when his loyal audience is mature and not quite so savvy with computers: "My audience is not the young, growing-up-with-the-computer audience. We're the audience that got a computer in our mature, adult life and we still like CDs, we still like albums. You know, I want to hold it in my hand. I know that's the way 90% of my audience feels."

Does it help that Starbucks partnered with Concord Records to put out his album and sell it in coffeehouses, where those mature folks hang out? "People aren't going into Starbucks to buy my record. They're going into Starbucks to get coffee. ... If they see it, 'Oh, yeah, new album, I'll get it, great.' But if it's not sitting there on the counter, it's not really doing me that good to be in Starbucks."

So how can his audience stay connected to Kenny G's world? "Go to my Web site ... and everything is there. Anybody that registers there gets a free ringtone. I want people to go to my Web site and I want them to get rewarded for it. "

News - Kenny G rejects the standards path to return to making original music
Written by The Canadian Press
02/29/2008

NEW YORK - The easygoing, smooth jazz star Kenny G makes an unlikely rebel. But he had to put his sax down when his longtime record label insisted that he do yet another album of standards.

The G-man saw no point in following other older artists like Rod Stewart and Barry Manilow down the well-worn path of playing cover tunes. So he arranged an amicable divorce from Arista Records in order to return to making original music.

"All my success in the past ... have always been my original compositions played the way that I play and people seem to connect with that," said Kenny G, in a telephone interview from his Malibu, Calif., home. "I lost sight of that a little bit and I'm glad to be going back to my roots and re-establishing the integrity that I've had in my music.

His new CD "Rhythm & Romance" - his debut for Concord/Starbucks Entertainment - is not only the 51-year-old saxophonist's first album of original music since 2002, but also finds him exploring new territory in Latin music. His inspiration came from the jazz bossa nova recordings by Cannonball Adderley and Stan Getz that the young Kenny Gorelick heard growing up in Seattle.

"I love the way the saxophone feels with a Latin rhythm, and I felt maybe I can do something like that, but of course do my thing and have it sound different than anything else," he said. "You've got to continually try to reinvent yourself.

"I always thought that my music could have a little bit more rhythm and a little less ballads," he added. "There's a lot of really uptempo songs ... and much more improvisation on this record ... There's more rhythm here than anything I've ever done but yet it's still romantic."

The new record marks the end of his 25-year relationship with music mogul Clive Davis, who first spotted the saxophonist when he was a sideman in Jeff Lorber's jazz-fusion band and released his self-titled debut album in 1982.

Their partnership resulted in 26 albums - with global sales totalling more than 75 million records - including his breakthrough 1986 "Duotones," which went multi-platinum thanks largely to the success of the sultry "Songbird"; the Grammy-winning 1992 "Breathless," the all-time best-selling instrumental album; and 1994's "Miracles: The Holiday Album," which put the Jewish musician right behind Elvis Presley on the list of top-selling Christmas albums in the United States.

But more recently the saxophonist says he felt "handcuffed" by having to play cover tunes on which he couldn't stray far from the melody. According to Kenny G, Arista insisted on him doing standards albums such as the 2006 "I'm in the Mood for Love: The Most Romantic Melodies of All Time."

"Unfortunately, I fell into a category with Arista of, well, you can't really do original material any more," he said. "It was tough to convince them that I'm not a Barry Manilow or a Rod Stewart who had tremendous success with their cover tunes. ... I really don't think the world was waiting for me to do my instrumental version of that same idea."
"I knew that doing a Latin album of original material was going to be an amazing project ... but Clive and the guys at Arista were not interested at all," he added. "I said, well I have to do this album so we're going to have to get a friendly divorce."

The saxophonist and his longtime collaborator, pianist Walter Afanasieff, composed a collection of love songs with a Latin twist, including such spicy uptempo tunes as "Sax-o-Loco" and "Salsa Kenny." The saxophonist also turned to his friend, actor-comedian George Lopez, who suggested the only two Latin standards among the 12 tracks - "Sabor A Mi" and "Besame Mucho."

In the studio, the saxophonist was joined by Latin music stars, including guitarist Ramon Stagnaro; percussionists Michito Sanchez and Paulinho Da Costa; and former Weather Report drummer Alex Acuna, who added samba, salsa and bossa nova rhythms to fit each melody.

"Personally, I think that this is one of the best albums that Kenny has done in years," said Ken Lombard, president of Starbucks Entertainment. "It's kind of a return for Kenny back to doing original music that is really what he built his reputation and credibility about."

Kenny G says he's fortunate his parents helped develop his sense of self-esteem which has enabled him to laugh along with all the jokes about his music being best suited for elevators, dental offices and insomniacs. When he went into the studio to record "Rhythm & Romance," he even came up with his own humorous catch phrase to loosen things up: "I'm taking my music out of the elevator and south of the border."

"People can tell when somebody's doing something from their heart or whether they're doing it from their brain," he said. "Fortunately for me, I sleep well at night because I know that I've always played the best that I can ... and a lot of people seem to like what I do."

Copyright ‚ 2008 The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

News - Q&A: Kenny G explores Latin "Rhythm"
Written by Cortney Harding / Billboard
01/25/2008

Special thanks to Courtney and Reuters/Billboard.

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Somewhere in the mid-'90s, Kenny G stopped being just a jazz musician and became a cultural phenomenon. His light music and luscious curls made him the butt of many jokes, but the G man laughed all the way to the bank.

Since 1991, he's sold 33 million albums, according to Nielsen SoundScan. He holds the record for the highest-selling Christmas album, as well as a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records for playing the longest note ever recorded on a saxophone.

His last few records, however, had underwhelming sales; his 2006 album, "I'm in the Mood for Love," sold only 250,000 copies. But Kenny G is ready to make a big comeback -- his first album of original material since 2002, "Rhythm and Romance," will be released February 5 through Concord Records and Starbucks.

Q: Why did you leave Arista after 25 years on the label?
Kenny G: "I was with Arista forever, and Clive (Davis) was like family to me. But I wanted to do an album of original material, and that wasn't what they wanted me to do. I personally wanted to get back to my roots and explore doing creative things. Also, I think people are tired of cover records and they are hungry for original music."

Q: How did you come to sign with Starbucks and Concord?
Kenny G: "I was actually one of the original Starbucks investors, and (chairman) Howard Schultz is a good friend. I presented the idea for the record to Concord and Starbucks, making it clear that I wanted to do a Latin album and write all the music. Everyone signed on, and I've been really happy with the deal so far. I think the future of music retail is really in stores like Starbucks."

Q: Will your fan base respond to a Latin record? Your last few albums have been either covers or greatest-hits records.
Kenny G: "Honestly, I think my fans might have been disappointed with the fact that I haven't been putting out original material recently. This record is really me getting back to my roots, doing lots of improv and melodies, combined with a Latin feel. The title is pretty apt -- the album has both rhythm and romance. I think this is my best work since the mid-'90s."

Q: Talk about the new line of saxophones you just debuted.
Kenny G: "There will be two models -- the G series, for more advanced musicians, and the E series, which is for educational purposes. I partnered with Rheuben Allen, an amazing sax repairman, and he actually relocated to China to live at the factory and quality-check all the instruments. I'm especially excited about the E series, because so many kids learn on horns that aren't built that well, and we're making sure that the educational horns are top quality. I'm working on partnerships with music educators, because it makes such a difference when a kid learns on a great horn."

Q: Are there other branding opportunities in your future?
Kenny G: "I am partnering with D'Addario, a company that manufactures instrument strings and reeds, to do my own line of saxophone accessories. There will be a full line of reeds and reed holders and neck straps.
"I wouldn't mind doing a wine, maybe in Korea. Red wine is very popular over there, and I have a pretty solid following that I think would be interested. But it all depends on me finding some free time to do it."

Q: You have the best-selling Christmas record, but Josh Groban is coming up fast on your heels. If you were in a fight, who would win?
Kenny G: (Laughs) "Well, Josh and I performed together at a dinner party awhile back, and he actually lives pretty close to me. He's a great guy, and I wouldn't want to fight him. I'm happy for his success, and I'd love to do more music with him."

Reuters/Billboard