Kenny G--Jazz, Classical or something else?
Kenny G. He's played with Whitney Houston, Natalie Cole, Aretha and Grover Washington Jr. He holds the world record for the longest note ever played on a saxaphone...over 45 minutes! But is Kenny G jazz, classical or something else? Why or why not? Make your case.
posted by jazztheo at 9/09/2005 11:18:00 AM
9 Comments:
I would say a something else...because he gets into this 'new age muzak' stuff, but then again I could be ignorant.
Why would you WANT to hold a note for 45 mintutes?
Oly...trust yourself. I've only known you a short while my sister but you often sell yourself short in your post...believe in yourself, we do, and so does HE.
Peter,
I think that convergence is one of the great contributions to the emergent conversation that African-Americans and jazz theology can make.
Kenny G and hootenanny. The only thing I would add is that while it is true that jazz is not about a show for people out there...it deeply needs the people out there to be a part of the convergence...hence the definition of a hootenanny. Jazz theology when applied to the church sees the congregation as absolutely essential to what is happening.
Kenny G only needs an audience if it is some enthralled girl for him to gaze into her eyes as he holds an unbearably long note...that is using the audience not needing the audience.
Leslee,
it was an E note. does that clear things up for you?
Just sending a friendly welcome.
Jazz Theo - you are the second man to tell me to trust my self. I learned some bad theology from Christ the Savior Brotherhood which I have been unlearning since April, but it will take awhile.
jazztheo...
I am just passing through your blog. I will have to add you to my favorites so I can come back more.
As for Kenny G, I put him in the same class as Diana Krall. They are the kind of "comfort jazz" that goes the "Volvo driving-over 30 with kids - former rocker" crowd buy to play at their dinner parties not that it is not proper for them to play the Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith.
Sometimes the demarcations that separate genres (e.g. jazz from classical) can get a little blurred. Example: "The Grande Passion: World Sinfonia" by Al DiMeola is generally considered jazz, yet the classical influences upon this recording often take the forefront. With the endless (and ever-growing) sub-categories within the larger genres, someone like Kenny G can find himself categorized in a musical "no man's land" (which is probably where many hope he finds a permanent residence).
He borrows from a lot of styles, yet does not seem too entrench himself to deeply in any. I think part of his large popularity is that lots of people hear enough of what they like to listen further. His music is rather homogenous... a quality that many people like.
Personally, I prefer when he is a featured guest on other people's music (he did a couple nice songs on the first Rippington's album). Listening to an entire album of his own is challenging because after a couple songs, I find my thoughts wandering toward music where the artist is at least committed to something.
I think, to answer your question, is that he is "something else," but tries to incorporate recognizable styles.
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