Kenny G

Artist Image: Kenny G
Attribution
Image Credit: Angela George (Image e-mailed from author to uploader), CC BY-SA 3.0

Biography

Kenneth Bruce Gorelick (born June 5, 1956), better known by his stage name Kenny G, is an American adult contemporary and smooth jazz saxophonist. His fourth album, Duotones, brought him breakthrough success in 1986. Kenny G is the biggest-selling instrumental musician of the modern era, with global sales totaling more than 75 million albums. Kenny G was born in Seattle, Washington to Jewish parents (his mother was originally from Saskatchewan, Canada) and grew up in the city's Seward Park neighborhood, which is a center of the city's Jewish community. He came into contact with a saxophone when he heard someone performing with one on The Ed Sullivan Show. He started playing the saxophone in 1966 when he was 10 years old. 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. His first saxophone was a Buffet Crampon alto. Kenny G attended Whitworth Elementary School, Sharples Junior High School, Franklin High School, and the University of Washington, all in his home town of Seattle. When he entered high school, he failed on his first try to get into the jazz band, but tried again the following year and earned first chair. In addition to his studies while in high school, he took private lessons on the saxophone and clarinet from Johnny Jessen, once a week for a year. He was also on his high school golf team. He had loved the sport ever since his older brother, Brian Gorelick, introduced it to him when he was ten years old, which is the same age he was when he started playing the saxophone.

Details

Item Name Item Details
Year Formed 1973
Number of Albums 34
Record Label Concord Records
Website www.kennyg.com
Wikipedia Kenny G on Wikipedia
Social Networks

Genres

Smooth Jazz Jazz

Trivia

What year was Kenny Bruce Gorelick born?

1956

...Not to be confused with Kenny J. Kenneth Bruce Gorelick (born June 5, 1956 ), known professionally as Kenny G, is an American smooth jazz saxophonist, ...
When was the album Duotones released?

1986

...y G, is an American smooth jazz saxophonist, composer, and producer. His 1986 album Duotones brought him commercial success. Kenny G is one of the bes...
When did he first start playing the saxophone?

1966

...llivan Show. He started playing the saxophone, a Buffet Crampon alto, in 1966 when he was 10 years old. Kenny G attended Whitworth Elementary School, ...
What was Kenny G's grade school name?

Whitworth Elementary School

...mpon alto, in 1966 when he was 10 years old. Kenny G attended Whitworth Elementary School , Sharples Junior High School (renamed Kurose Middle School),...
When was he introduced to clarinet and saxophone playing?

Johnny Jessen

...h school, he took private lessons on the saxophone and clarinet from Johnny Jessen , once a week for a year. He has been a fan of the sport since his e...
What brother introduced him to the sport when he was ten?

Brian Gorelick

...m Johnny Jessen, once a week for a year. He has been a fan of the sport since his elder brother, Brian Gorelick , introduced him to it when he was ten....
At what age did Kenny G begin playing professionally?

17

...Saxophonist Kenny G began playing professionally at age 17 , when he performed with Barry White and his Love Unlimited Orchestra. Kenny G released his ...
When was his debut album released?

1982

...te and his Love Unlimited Orchestra. Kenny G released his debut album in 1982 , and rose to international fame following the 1986 release of Duotones. ...
Which two albums helped make him one of the most popular saxophonists?

Breathless and Miracles

...following the 1986 release of Duotones. Later albums, including Breathless and Miracles , helped make him one of the topselling artists of all time. Ke...
In what year did he win a Grammy Award?

1994

...f the topselling artists of all time. Kenny G also won a Grammy Award in 1994 , and at one point held the world record for the longest sustained note o...
What was Kenny G's father's religion?

Jewish

...neth Bruce Gorelick on June 5, 1956, in Seattle, Washington. The son of Jewish parents, Kenny G grew up in Seattle's Seward Park neighborhood, the cen...
In what neighborhood of Seattle grew up?

Seward Park

..., Washington. The son of Jewish parents, Kenny G grew up in Seattle's Seward Park neighborhood, the center of the city's Jewish community. He took an ...
What award-winning saxophonist was born on June 5, 1956?

Kenneth Bruce Gorelick

...ars and Career Grammy Awardwinning saxophonist Kenny G was born Kenneth Bruce Gorelick on June 5, 1956, in Seattle, Washington. The son of Jewish pare...
Where was the birthplace of Kenneth Bruce Gorelick?

Seattle, Washington

...onist Kenny G was born Kenneth Bruce Gorelick on June 5, 1956, in Seattle, Washington . The son of Jewish parents, Kenny G grew up in Seattle's Seward ...
At what age did he begin playing the saxophone?

10

... an early interest in music and began playing the saxophone at the age of 10 . He continued on with the instrument in his teens, while falling in love ...
What popular R&B group did Jeremy fall in love with?

Earth Wind & Fire

..., while falling in love with the R&B sounds of popular groups like Earth Wind & Fire . In 1973, at just 17 years old, Kenny G was hired by Barry White ...
When was Kenny G hired by Barry White to play with his Love Unlimited Orchestra at the Paramount Northwest Theater?

1973

...in love with the R&B sounds of popular groups like Earth Wind & Fire. In 1973 , at just 17 years old, Kenny G was hired by Barry White to play with his...
What Seattle funk band did Keny G record with?

Cold, Bold & Together

...a at the Paramount Northwest Theater in Seattle. In addition to playing with White, Kenny G recorded with the Seattle funk band Cold, Bold & Together ....
Who began his career as a musician?

Kenneth Gorelick

... 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...
What was Kenneth Gorelick's first professional job as?

saxophone soloist for Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra

... acquired his first ever professional job as saxophone soloist for Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra in 1976 at the age of 20, when White was imp...
When did Kenneth gorelick first get his first job as saxophone soloist for Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra?

1976

...l 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 s...
Who was impressed by Kenneth's mastery of blues?

Barry White

... he acquired his first ever professional job as saxophone soloist for Barry White 's Love Unlimited Orchestra in 1976 at the age of 20, when White was ...
What major was Kenny studying at the same time?

accounting

...is mastery of the blues scale. Kenny was also studying for a major in accounting at the same time. After he graduated from the University of Washingto...
Who was the label president of Ariste Records?

Clive Davis

... G signed with Arista Records as a solo artist, after label president Clive Davis heard his rendition of ABBA's Dancing Queen. He has released many so...
What was the name of his fourth album?

Duotones

...the United States. These sales were topped by his fourth studio album, Duotones , which shifted over five million copies in the U.S. alone. He broke an...
What album was the most successful Christmas album to date?

Miracles

... the U.S. alone. He broke another record when his first holiday album, Miracles , sold over 13 million copies, making it the most successful Christmas ...
Where did Kenny G grow up?

Seward Park neighborhood

...His parents were Jewish, and Kenny grew up in the Seward Park neighborhood which is the center of the Seattles Jewish community. Kenny G first became ...
What was the name of the instrument he started playing in 1966?

saxophone

... Seattles Jewish community. Kenny G first became interested in playing saxophone when he heard a performance on the Ed Sullivan Show when he was still...
What university did Kenny G graduate from?

University of Washington

...Education: Graduated magna cum laude in accounting from the University of Washington . Softspoken saxophonist Kenny G is a lot tougher than either his ...
What year did the hit single Silhouette go platinum?

1988

...s of invective flung in Kenny's direction intensified when his followup, 1988 's Silhouette, went platinum. In fact, critical disparagement seems to ru...
What city was Keny G's mother from?

Saskatchewan, Canada

...e, Washington, to Jewish parents (his mother was originally from Saskatchewan, Canada ) and grew up in the city's Seward Park neighborhood, which is a ...
Who was the local trumpeter that he learned to play?

Gerald Pfister

... old. He learned how to play under the direction of local trumpeter Gerald Pfister and by practicing along with records (mostly of Grover Washington, ...
How often did Johnny Jessen teach him?

once a week

...nd. In addition to his studies while in high school, he took private lessons on the saxophone and clarinet from Johnny Jessen, once a week for a year....
What was Kenny's profession?

saxophonist

...anged his name to Kenny G. While pursuing his professional stint as a saxophonist , he did not give up on his education either and enrolled at the Univ...
Where did he enroll for a major in accounting?

University of Washington, Seattle

...id not give up on his education either and enrolled at the University of Washington, Seattle , for a major in accounting. He graduated from the univers...
What was his degree from the University of Washington?

magna cum laude

... for a major in accounting. He graduated from the university with a magna cum laude . In addition to playing with White, he associated himself with the...
What was the name of his second album?

G Force

...eived by the critics. The following year, he released his second album, G Force . The album was well received and gained a platinum status at the box o...
Kenny G is a saxophonist who has enjoyed phenomenal success across the pop, jazz, and what other genres of music?

R&B

...ophonist Kenny G has enjoyed phenomenal success across the pop, jazz, and R&B charts for over three decades. Influenced by players like Stan Getz and ...
What is G known for?

his lyrical and emotive style

...rs like Stan Getz and Grover Washington, Jr., G is known for his lyrical and emotive style , a sound that has garnered a loyal fanbase and made him one...
Who are two players that have influenced G?

Stan Getz and Grover Washington, Jr.,

...harts for over three decades. Influenced by players like Stan Getz and Grover Washington, Jr., G is known for his lyrical and emotive style, a sound t...
In what year did Breathless reach number two on the Billboard 200?

1992

... and spawned the hit single Songbird. He gained yet wider attention with 1992 's Breathless, which reached number two on the Billboard 200, topped the ...
When was New Standards released?

2021

...n the Grammy for Best Instrumental Composition for Forever in Love. With 2021 's New Standards, he showcased his compositional skills, writing songs in...
Where did G grew up?

Seattle

...0s traditional pop standards. Born Kenny Gorelick in 1956, G grew up in Seattle where started on the alto saxophone at age 10. Along with playing golf...
What is his lifelong passion?

golf

...eattle where started on the alto saxophone at age 10. Along with playing golf (a lifelong passion), he took private lessons on the sax and clarinet, a...
Where does Ken Gorelick come from?

a black neighborhood in Seattle

...Ken Gorelick comes from a black neighborhood in Seattle . He began playing the sax in the fourth grade, taking lessons in school. At age 16, he saw Gro...
When did Ken gorelick begin playing the sax?

fourth grade

...rom a black neighborhood in Seattle. He began playing the sax in the fourth grade , taking lessons in school. At age 16, he saw Grover Washington perfo...
What is the world record for the longest single unbroken note?

45 minutes and 47 seconds

...olds the worlds record for the longest single unbroken note at 45 minutes and 47 seconds ! He has been a professional sax player since high school, whe...
What is Barry White's band name?

Love Unlimited Orchestras

...acher set him up with a gig as soloist for Barry White and the Love Unlimited Orchestras stop on tour in Seattle. He continued backing touring musicia...
What did Lorber cut a deal with to release his album?

his record company

...t a deal with Lorber to make a solo album. Lorber cut a deal with his record company to put it out, and Kenny Gorelick became Kenny G and went solo. H...
Who became Kenny G and went solo?

Kenny Gorelick

...album. Lorber cut a deal with his record company to put it out, and Kenny Gorelick became Kenny G and went solo. His eponymous debut, an unintentional...
What was the name of the monster instrumental hit that broke him through?

Songbird

...onality in the attempt to woo the R&B audience. His fourth album, Duotones broke him through on the strength of the monster instrumental hit Songbird ....
What year did Benson Gorelick file for legal separation?

2012

...d Lyndie BensonGorelick in 1992, and the couple had two sons. In January 2012 , BensonGorelick filed for legal separation. Kenny G filed for divorce in...
How many times had Keny G participated in the AT&T Pebble Beach National ProAm tournament?

seven

.... He had participated in the AT&T Pebble Beach National ProAm tournament seven times as of 2007 and teamed with Phil Mickelson to share the AT&T proam...