Kenny GBirth Place: Seattle, Washington, USA Date of Birth: June 5, 1956 Heritage: American Contact Kenny G |
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Forever In Love Background: Musician Kenny G enjoyed breakthrough success with his album “Duotones” (1986), which included the highly popular “Songbird.” He gained further recognition with his Grammy winning “Forever in Love,” which was taken from the No. 1 best selling album “Breathless” (1992). The massive commercial success of “Miracles: The Holiday Album” (1994) and “The Moment” (1996) cemented Kenny G's reputation as a bestselling artist in America. Signed in 1982, Kenny G ended his professional partnership with Arista in 2006 following the release of “I'm in the Mood for Love...The Most Romantic Melodies of All Time.” The album was a No. 1 hit on Billboard's Top Contemporary Jazz chart. His album “Rhythm and Romance” was released in 2008 with Starbucks Entertainment and Concord Records. In the music industry since the mid 1970s, Kenny G is an inductee on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He has received such awards as American Music, Soul Train, World Music and NAACP Image awards, in addition to a Grammy award. A worldwide know saxophone player, he has sold more than 75 million albums, singles and videos worldwide. Kenny G has been married to Lyndie Benson since 1992 and has two sons. When not playing the sax, Kenny G loves to play golf and has taken part in the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am tournament. Kenny G was named “No. 1 Musician Golfer” by Golf Digest in 2006. Kenny is also a pilot.
Childhood and Family: Kenneth Gorelick, professionally known as Kenny G., was born on June 5, 1956, in Seattle, Washington. He first became interested in the saxophone after hearing someone play the instrument on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” In addition to practicing with records, young Kenny learned how to play under the guidance of local trumpeter Gerald Pfister. Through his tutor, he learned to play the sax horizontally without compromising his control of pitch. This would later be known as a revolution in neo saxophone technique. Kenny attended Franklin High School and played for the jazz band. He graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in accounting. Aside from music, Kenny also loves playing golf, which was introduced to him by his older brother Brian Gorelick. He also played for his high school golf team. Kenny G's older brother is now a music professor and choir conductor at Wake Forest University. Kenny married his wife, Lyndie Benson, in 1992. The couple has two sons, Max and Noah. His wife is close friends with actress Brooke Shields.
Career: Kenny G kicked off his professional career in 1976 when he was recruited by Barry White as a saxophone soloist for White's Love Unlimited Orchestra. He also pursued his college studies at the University of Washington. Upon receiving his degree, he joined the Seattle based funk group Cold, Bold & Together, while also freelancing before finally earning noted credit with The Jeff Lorber Fusion. After recording two albums with the group, Kenny G embarked on his solo career. In 1982, Kenny G was signed by Arista Records after he amazed label president Clive Davis with a rendition of the ABBA classic “Dancing Queen.” Later that same year, he released his first studio album, “Kenny G.” The talented saxophonist soon enjoyed success with “G Force” and “Gravity,” which were released in 1983 and 1985, respectively. Both albums received platinum status in the United States. However, it was his fourth studio album, “Duotones” (1986), which really transformed Kenny G into a star. It spawned the single “Songbird” in 1987, which rose to No. 4 on the Billboard U.S. Hot 100 and No. 3 on the U.S. Adult Contemporary charts. Following the success of “Duotones,” Kenny G made guest appearances in recordings of a number of renowned singers, including Toni Braxton, Whitney Houston, Steve Miller, Natalie Cole and Aretha Franklin. His return to the studio was marked with the release of “Silhouette” in 1988. It was followed by the live album “Kenny G Live” in 1989. After a short break, Kenny G resurfaced with the album “Breathless.” Released in 1992, the album became the No. 1 best selling instrumental album ever with more than 15 million copies sold. It also spawned the No. 1 hit “Forever in Love,” from which Kenny G won a Grammy in 1994 in the category of Best Instrumental Composition. He further enjoyed huge commercial success with “Miracle” (1994), his first holiday album. He also released the studio album “The Moment” (1996). A year after releasing 1997’s “Greatest Hits” disc, Kenny G recorded a version of the Celine Dion hit “My Heart Will Go On” from the soundtrack of the blockbuster film “Titanic.” He launched “Classics in the Key of G” in 1999, which was a collection of jazz standards. Still in 1999, Kenny G also hit stores with “Faith: A Holiday Album.” The album “In America” was released in 2001. 2002 saw Kenny G release the studio album “Paradise,” which featured guest performances by Chanté Moore and Brian McKnight. Later that same year, “Wishes: A Holiday Album” was released. It was followed by “Ultimate Kenny G” (2003), a second greatest hits collection, as well as a compilation album called “The Romance of Kenny G.” He also released the album “At Last...The Duets Album” in 2004. The latter album featured duets with Chaka Khan and LeAnn Rimes. 2005 to 2006 saw the release of two albums, “The Greatest Holiday Classics” and “The Essential Kenny G.” Still in 2006, Kenny G released the big band inspired albums “Holiday Collection” and “I'm in the Mood for Love...The Most Romantic Melodies of All Time.” The later album, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Contemporary Jazz chart, marked his final release for Arista Records. Currently, the jazz saxophone player is signed with Starbucks Entertainment and Concord Records. The Latin themed “Rhythm and Romance,” his new release for the label, was launched in 2008.
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