Head of the Instrumental Department, Kenny G

We’re sure you’ve heard of Kenny G. He has seen huge success and fame since he went solo. His talent on the saxophone is nothing short of amazing, and his record sales prove it.
He is the biggest-selling instrumental musician, and one of the best-selling artists of all time with more than 75 million records sold around the world.
His career started when he landed a gig as a sideman for Barry White ’s Love Unlimited Orchestra back in 1973. Kenny was 17 and still in high school.
He continued to play professionally during college, as he studied for his accounting degree at the University of Washington.
He began playing with funk band, Cold, Bold and Together before he became a credited member of The Jeff Lorber Fusion.
After a brief stint with the later band, he began his solo career. Kenny G signed to Arista Records in 1982 after Clive Davis heard his rendition of “Dancing Queen.” He quickly found success, with his 2nd and 3rd studio albums achieving platinum status in the U.S. His 6th album Breathless is the best-selling instrumental album ever.
In 1997, Kenny hit another record when he earned a post in the Guinness Book of World Records for playing the longest note recorded on a saxophone. Kenny held an E-flat for 45 minutes and 47 seconds by using circular breathing.
He has released many solo albums and collaborated with artists likes Whitney Houston, Peabo Bryson, Toni Braxton, Michael Bolton, Celine Dion, Frank Sinatra and Aretha Franklin.
On January 27th Kenny G will release his 147th studio album, entitled Brazilian Nights. This album will feature a collection of music that will touch on this long love for bossa nova, a Brazilian genre that blends samba and jazz.

According to Kenny, he has been in love with bossa nova all his life. He stated that his goal with this album was, “not only to make a bossa nova album that pays tribute to the ‘Masters’ whom I’ve been listening to, but also to write and record original bossa novas that I hope can ‘hold their own’ in this distinguished company.”
Brazilian Nights features some Kenny G originals, as well as familiar tracks.
Half the tracks were written and produced by ISINA’s President and co-founder and Kenny’s longtime collaborator, Water Afanasieff.