Kenny G
Kenneth Bruce Gorelick, better known by his stage name Kenny G, is an American jazz saxophonist. His 1986 album, Duotones, brought him commercial success. Kenny G is one of the best-selling artists of all time, with global sales totaling more than 75 million records. Kenny G's career started with a job as a sideman for Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra in 1973; he was 17 and still in high school. He continued to play professionally while studying for a major in accounting at the University of Washington in Seattle, and graduated Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude. He played with the funk band Cold, Bold and Together before becoming a credited member of The Jeff Lorber Fusion. He began his solo career after his period with Lorber. Kenny G has worked on several film soundtracks, including Dying Young and The Bodyguard. The song "Theme for Dying Young", written for that movie, was nominated for a Best Pop Instrumental Performance. Kenny G co-wrote the soundtrack of The Bodyguard, starring Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston, and performed his own song "Waiting for You" as well as his single "Even If My Heart Would Break". His music was also included in The Shadow and Miracle on 34th Street. His sixth studio album, Breathless, was released in 1992, and went on to become the best-selling instrumental album ever, with over 15 million copies sold worldwide, selling 12 million copies in the United States alone. The album included many hits such as "Forever in Love", the recipient of the Grammy Award for the Best Instrumental Composition and which charted in the Billboard Year-End Hot 100. "Sentimental" charted at No. 27 on the Adult Contemporary Chart, and "By the Time This Night Is Over", a collaboration with Peabo Bryson, peaked at No. 25 on the Hot 100. His first holiday album, Miracles, sold over 13 million copies, making it the most successful Christmas album to date. He also performed the "National Anthem of the United States" at the 1994 FIFA World Cup closing ceremony at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on July 17, 1994. Kenny G earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records in 1997 for playing the longest note ever recorded on a saxophone. Using circular breathing, Kenny G held an E-flat for 45 minutes and 47 seconds at J&R Music World in New York City. The same year, his song "Havana", from the album The Moment, was remixed by Todd Terry and Tony Moran and released to dance clubs in the U.S. The mixes went to No.1 on the Billboard Dance/Club Play Songs chart in April 1997. Kenny G's second holiday album, Faith, is the best selling holiday album of 1999 in the United States selling 2 million units according to Nielsen/SoundScan. The singles taken from the album, the traditional "Auld Lang Syne", reached No. 7 on the Hot 100. His rendition of "Auld Lang Syne" was, at the time of charting, popularized by the then-upcoming New Year celebration for 2000. At the time of its peak, it was also the oldest-written song to make the Hot 100 charts
Known For
Credits
- 2024 ยท2024 Back That Year Up with Kevin Hart & Kenan Thompsonas Self
- 2021 ยทListening to Kenny Gas Self
- 2020 ยทThe Postal Service Zoom Auditionsas Self
- 2019 ยทTamron Hallas Self - Guest
- 2019 ยทHoley Moleyas Self
- 2017 ยทDrop the Micas Self
- 2017 ยทA Bad Moms Christmasas Himself
- 2017 ยทClive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Livesas Self
- 2017 ยทMichael Bolton's Big, Sexy Valentine's Day Specialas Janitor
- 2016 ยทMatch Gameas Self - Panelist
- 2014 ยทLast Week Tonight with John Oliveras Self
- 2009 ยทKenny G: An Evening Of Rhythm & Romanceas Self - Sax
- 2008 ยทHit Man: David Foster & Friendsas Self
- 2007 ยทAndrea Bocelli - Vivere Live in Tuscanyas Self
- 2007 ยทDirty Sexy Moneyas
- 2007 ยทBritain's Got More Talentas
- 2002 ยทAmerican Idolas Self - Guest
- 2001 ยทKenny G - Liveas Himself
- 2000 ยทArista Records' 25th Anniversary Celebrationas Self
- 1997 ยทThe Viewas Self
- 1996 ยทStar Trek: 30 Years and Beyondas Self
- 1996 ยทThe Rosie O'Donnell Showas Self - Guest
- 1995 ยทMADtvas Self
- 1993 ยทWorld Music Awardsas Self
- 1992 ยทMichael Bolton: This Is Michael Boltonas Self
- 1992 ยทThe Tonight Show with Jay Lenoas
- 1991 ยทVoices That Careas Self
- 1990 ยทThe Ronn Lucas Showas
- 1988 ยทKenny G - Live at Montreuxas
- 1984 ยทSurprise, Surpriseas Self
- 1982 ยทChristmas in Washingtonas Self
- 1975 ยทSaturday Night Liveas Self - Musical Guest
- 1962 ยทThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carsonas Self