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Kenny G has earned enormous success and fame during the course of his career, and continues to tour today, selling his tickets in the millions. He is the biggest selling instrumental musician of modern day and is one of the best selling artists of all time, in fact. His global sales figures are out of this world, approximating 75 million.
Born 5 June 1956, Kenny G was musical from a young age. He started playing the saxophone at the tender age of ten and he played professionally during high school and throughout college. He played with two bands after graduating before going solo. In 1982 Kenny G signed with Arista Records as a solo artist after impressing the label with his version of ABBA classic ‘Dancing Queen’. During this time he released several solo albums and also collaborated with a number of extremely high profile artists such as Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton, Celine Dion, Frank Sinatra and Aretha Franklin: some true musical legends. His second and third solo albums were made platinum and he enjoyed extremely early success.
His sixth studio album, ‘Breathless’, became the number one best selling instrumental album ever, with over 15 million copies sold worldwide. He continued to break records over the course of his career: his holiday album ‘Miracles’ became the most successful Christmas album ever when it sold over 13 million copies. He is also noted for breaking records with his incredible saxophonist skills: he entered the Guinness Book of World Records for playing the longest note ever recorded on a saxophone. The note was held for an incredible 45 minutes using a very specific breathing technique. The feat catapulted the saxophonist into world stardom.
There is nothing quite as soothing as a Kenny G performance. The delightful timbre of his saxophone is a luxury to the ears.
Kenny G can play in the smoothest scales possible and sustain a note in long duration with great musical endurance. In fact he was inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records for playing the longest note ever recorded on a saxophone. There is no doubt that Kenny G is regarded as one of the best regarded smooth jazz musician, having started his career playing saxophone with the talented heart-throb, Barry White, who sang with one of the most soulful voices. Kenny G often tours with a backing band that enhances the performance with sounds of shimmering synthesizers, subtle drumming, and rhythmic bass playing.
Kenny G has an immediate defining sound. His saxophone playing has the smoothest tone and often has a resonance of reverb attached to it. His solos are fast, but are accomplished with great delicacy in order to retain the smooth vibe of his performance. His stage presence is also captivating. He comes onto stage with a suave suit and his curly, locks of hair swoosh through the air during his intense saxophone solos. He has also been well respected by many musicians that have asked him to collaborate with them such as Frank Sinatra, Weezer, Toni Braxton, and Foster the People.
There is a reason why Kenny G is a Grammy Award winner and one of the best selling artist of all time, and to see him perform live is a phenomenal experience that seems to transcend reality.
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