Kenny G

American jazz saxophonist performing under the pseudonym Kenny G (the real name Kenneth Gorelick) was born in 1956 in Seattle. When he was a teenager, he understood what he would like to do in the future and that it was music that would become his destiny. Kenny G’s first saxophone was presented to him by his mother and the musician still keeps that instrument. Kenny G entered the University of Washington, where he studied accounting. His father insisted that he should continue the family business; however Kenny G had the other point of view and remained faithful to the music. In 1982 the talented saxophonist was noticed and he was offered a contract with the record company. The same year his debut album titled Kenny G (1982) was released.

The second studio work G-Force was issued in 1983 and it was followed by Gravity (1985). They were well received by the music lovers and Kenny G’s music was very called-for: both albums were certified Platinum. The fourth album Duotones, which included the famous composition Songbird, got the 5x Platinum status. The musician was gaining popularity, feeling that he was moving in the right direction. Thus the album of 1988 Silhouette peaked at number one in the Jazz Albums Chart. There is no doubt that such songs as Silhouette and We've Saved The Best For Last contributed to its success. In 1989 the saxophonist released his first live album titled Kenny G Live, which reproduces the atmosphere of his concerts just perfectly.

1992 was incredibly favorable for Kenny G and his album Breathless, which became the world’s most successful instrumental album ever. The musician won his first Grammy Award for the composition Forever In Love, while the very album was certified Platinum fifteen times. Breathless brought the real fame and respect to Kenny G, however his following album Moment (1996) was less successful in comparison to Breathless. While working on Moment, Kenny G collaborated with Babyface and Toni Braxton and he was very satisfied with the result. The songs That Somebody Was You and Everytime I Close My Eyes turned out to be very strong and were performed in Kenny G’s original style. In 1997 the musician was included into the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest saxophone performance: his record made up 45 minutes and 47 seconds.

In 1999 Kenny G released the album of cover-versions titled Classics In The Key Of G, which included such brilliant classical songs as Summertime and What A Wonderful World. In the new millennium the musician kept on creating strong albums, among which are Paradise (2002), two cover-version albums At Last...The Duets Album (2004) and I'm In The Mood For Love...The Most Romantic Melodies Of All Time (2006). The latter included the famous romantic song Besame Mucho. In 2010 Kenny G issued his new studio work Heart & Soul. The composition No Place Like Home from that album was recorded with his old friend – Babyface. Heart & Soul is the traditionally strong album with Kenny G’s original sound that can hardly be mixed up with someone else’s. There is absolutely no doubt that Heart & Soul will be enjoyed by all the good music lovers. Anyway, Heart & Soul is the right album to start the acquaintance with the legendary saxophonist’s music.