Kenny G

Kenneth Bruce Gorelick, known professionally as Kenny G, is an American smooth‑jazz saxophonist, composer and record producer whose career spans more than five decades and has made him one of the best‑selling instrumentalists in history. Born on June 5, 1956 in Seattle, Washington, he began playing the alto saxophone at the age of ten after seeing a performance on The Ed Sullivan Show and quickly distinguished himself in his high school jazz band, eventually earning first‑chair status. While studying accounting at the University of Washington, where he graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, he worked as a sideman for Barry White’s Love Unlimited Orchestra, an experience that launched his professional journey at just seventeen. After stints with the Seattle funk group Cold, Bold & Together and the Jeff Lorber Fusion, he signed with Arista Records in 1982, adopting the stage name Kenny G for its memorable ring. His 1986 album Duotones propelled him to global fame with the hit single “Songbird,” and the 1992 release Breathless became the best‑selling instrumental album ever, solidifying his status as a commercial powerhouse with over 75 million records sold worldwide. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s he expanded his repertoire with holiday classics, collaborations with icons such as Andrea Bocelli and Frank Sinatra, and contributions to major film soundtracks including The Bodyguard and Dying Young. Despite criticism from jazz purists, he has maintained a massive following, especially in China where his piece “Going Home” is played daily in public venues. In addition to music, he is an avid golfer, a licensed pilot, and an early investor in Starbucks, illustrating a multifaceted life that extends far beyond the stage.