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

[Bill Biffle]

Sort of the Thomas Kinkaid of popular music.

Bill Biffle
Duke City Jazz Band
Albuquerque, New Mexico USA

-----Original Message-----
From: dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com
[mailto:dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com] On Behalf Of Russ Guarino
Sent: Tuesday, September 28, 2004 9:15 AM
To: LARRY'S Signs and Large Format Printing
Cc: DIXIELAND JAZZ POST
Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] Kenny G. Story - moan!---More about Kenny G.

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




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