Kenny G - One of the Most Popular Instrumental Musicians in History

Kenny G (Kenneth Bruce Gorelick) is a saxophonist and one of the most popular instrumental musicians in music history. Kenny G was born in Seattle, Washington, United States, on June 5, 1956. Kenny G was awarded the Guinness Book of World Records in 1997 for being able to play saxophone in a relatively long time during the recording of the album.

Kenny started playing professionally at 17 years old, when he performed with Barry White and Love Unlimited Orchestra. After several years playing with other musicians, in 1982 Kenny G released his first album.

Kenny G's name was famous in the international music scene in 1986 after releasing the album Duotones. Since then, Kenny G became one of the most popular instrumental musicians in history.

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Both of Kenny G's parents are American Jews. Kenny G grew up in the Seward Park area in the center of the Jewish community in downtown Seattle. Kenny started liking music and started playing saxophone at 10 years old. In his teenage years, he continued to play instrumental instruments when he "falling in love" on R & B tones of the Earth Wind & Fire bands of the 1970s.

In 1973, at the age of 17 Kenny G was recruited by Barry White to perform with the Love Unlimited Orchestra at Paramount Northwest Theater. This is a Kenny G's first appearance with Barry White and his band. and then, Kenny changed his name to Kenny G.

Grover Washington greatly influenced Kenny G. "When I went to college, I started listening to jazz masters more like Sonny Rollins, Cannonball Adderley and John Coltrane," he said.

After graduating from Franklin High School, Kenny G followed two different careers. He continued his studies at the University of Washington and began studying accounting, while at the same time continuing his career in music.

After performing with Barry White, Kenny G made a recording with the funk bands Seattle, Cold, Bold & Together. Then, he played with Jeff Lorber Fusion, recording an album with the group. In 1982 after signing an agreement with Arista Records, Kenny G released his own album, a combination of jazz and R & B.

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Kenny G's next album is G Force (1983) and Gravity (1985). However, only his fourth album Duotones (1986), Sold over three million copies, this smooth-jazz album was worked on by Kenny G with other musicians, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, and Natalie Cole. During a career as a musician, Kenny G has performed with Barbra Streisand, Burt Bacharach, and Frank Sinatra. 

The Breathless album, released in 1992, sold over eight million copies in the United States and became the best-selling instrumental album in history. Two years later, Kenny G rocked a world of music with his first Christmas album Miracles who occupies the number 1 position on the Billboard 200.

In 1993, Kenny G was awarded a Grammy for Best Instrumental Composition for the song "Forever in Love".

When performing at J & R Music World in New York City, Kenny G performed a method called circular breathing for 45 minutes 47 seconds while playing "E-flat". "I did what I had to do because I loved him," he said.

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Despite criticism, Kenny G is still trying to create a different form of music. Kenny recorded albums that showed his appreciation of jazz standards (Classics in the Key of G, 1998), tropical music (Paradise, 2002), and Latin music (Rhythm and Romance, 2008). In 2010, Kenny G with Robin Thicke and Babyface made R & B Heart and Soul albums.  

"I've never criticized anyone's music personally, but I know the real public problem is not about the music I create, but the perception that I play simple music just for money and to increase my popularity," Kenny said. 

"I listen to the 20 most popular songs and top 20 albums, even rap albums, but I don't like negative messages. If someone puts too much ego in there, I don't like it. If I make a recording, I want it sincerely,' - Kenny

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Personal life  

Kenny G divorced with Lyndie Benson-Gorelick in August 2012. Kenny and Lyndie married for 20 years and have two children, Max and Noah (Daily Mail, August 14, 2012). Previously, Kenny G married Janice Deleon (since 15 June 1980 and divorced).  If he does not play saxophone, Kenny G plays golf and is on the "Top 100 in Music" list of Golf Digest magazine in December 2006 as the number 1 golf player with a handcap index of 0.6.

"I never played golf seriously. With a saxophone, I learned the technique appropriately until it felt like a part of my body and I just expressed myself. That's where I want to play golf," - Kenny G

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