[Dixielandjazz] Kenny G. Story - moan!---More about Kenny G.

[Russ Guarino]

Some thoughts about Kenny G.

He gets a lot of bashing, but I think many have overlooked his technical skills and what he has accomplished over his career.

1] He plays a pretty good Soprano.  In tune & balanced throughout the range of the horn. He does not have "good" parts of the horn and "bad" parts.  They are all good. He is technically strong.  He can, it is said, circular
breathe.

1a] He maintains the usual celebrity look, with long curly hair.  He is trim and athletic looking.  You can see there is more to him that what you hear.

2] He plays mostly original compositions, which in my view, aren't too interesting, but nonetheless they are his and not someone else's. They are sort of wandering lines, harmonic not strident, but they are not "catchy". [ He is
definitely not Erroll Garner ].   I can never remember them after they are played.  They sort of drone on, but I think the audience he appeals to are not really listening, but rather letting the music create a soft plush nest in
which they pursue other thinking.

3] He uses a small ensemble, usually a vibes or guitar or keyboard as accompaniment. What he does is not complex.

4] Every now and then he breaks into real harmonic traditional licks, which are short and give me the impression that he says "sorry, I try not to sound like the other guys, but I couldn't help myself.  I'll leave the real stuff
to you guys".  You can hear that you would not want to get into a real "butt kicking" contest with him.  I think he can knock most guys on their backside.

5] He now has a broad audience recognition and they accept his music, as dull as it is, but they seem to like it. I think his music becomes a background "buzz" that is comforting and not intrusive.

6]  Most of us are trying to knock the socks off our audiences with musical lines and licks that are dramatic and ear catching.  Sonny G. shoots for an entirely different target, easy music no one really hears but creates a soft
mood. And he has succeeded all the way to the bank.

7] How many of us are playing the AT&T as a celebrity?  Kenny G. does.

Russ Guarino