Q&A with Kenny G

Saxophonist and Producer Kenny G recently released his new memoir Life in the Key of G. Adult Services Librarian Ramon Maclin of the Keith Summey North Charleston Library has a Q&A with Kenny G. Check it out below!

The memoir is written with Philip Lerman and explores the life of Kenny G as the best selling instrumentalist of all time, and reveals things about his life that devoted fans have never known -- until now.

"In this heartfelt, funny, and fascinating memoir, Kenny G shares how skinny Kenneth Gorelick, the kid who got hassled for his lunch money in a Seattle high school, became one of the most celebrated and revered virtuosos in the music industry. He uncovers how he's managed to rise above the fray, tune out the critics, and live a life filled with happiness and humor."

Q&A

Musical Journey: “Can you tell us about your journey into music and what inspired you to pursue a career as a saxophonist?”  

"I started playing the saxophone when I was 10, after watching someone play it on The Ed Sullivan Show. It was love at first sight, and I never looked back. When I got a gig with Barry White in high school at 17 and did really well, holding my own, that’s when I knew I could pursue a career in music and that I was good enough to be a professional musician."
 

Creative Process: “What is your creative process like when composing or recording music? Do you have any routines or rituals that help you get into the zone?”  

"I wish there were a system to do that, but it’s really something that just happens. It can happen when I’m driving and a melody comes to mind, or when I’m practicing and play some notes that trigger the idea for a future song. It can happen when I’m around other musicians, or when I’m all by myself, just sitting and contemplating. So, I always try to keep myself open to the creative process, and when it hits me, I feel very lucky and really enjoy when it takes over."

Influences: “Who are some of your musical influences, and how have they shaped your style and approach to playing the saxophone?”  

"I listened a lot to the old jazz greats of the 1950s and 1960s, like Stan Getz, Miles Davis, and John Coltrane, as well as a more modern saxophonist named Grover Washington, Jr. I would try to take the sounds they made that I liked and use them to create my own. In doing so, I was lucky enough to develop a very unique sound, and that's something I’m very grateful for. Every time I played the saxophone, no matter how much I tried to sound like one of the old jazz greats, I always ended up just sounding like myself. At first, that wasn’t something I was happy with, but in the long run, it turned out to be very important, and I’m grateful for that."

Library and Music: “Libraries often serve as cultural hubs for communities. How do you think libraries and music intersect in fostering creativity and learning?”  

"Libraries are wonderful places for people to gather, sit quietly, and enjoy a great book, knowing they are surrounded by others doing the same. There’s a sense of connection that comes from that shared experience. The same is true for music—when people come together to listen to a concert, watch a musician perform, or even perform music themselves, it’s about the connection they feel, not only with the music but with those around them as well."

Music and Reading: “Do you have any favorite books or authors that have influenced your music or that you find particularly inspiring?”  

"Well, I have to say that authors haven’t directly inspired my music. However, life in general inspires my music, and books I’ve read have inspired my life, so perhaps we could indirectly say that’s true! I particularly like Stephen King and have been a fan of his for a long time. I was very flattered when he mentioned my name in one of his books, and I thought that was very, very cool."

Advice for Aspiring Musicians: “What advice would you give to young musicians who are just starting out and looking to make their mark in the industry?”  

"Well, the advice I would give is to get very, very good at the instrument you’re playing. First of all, you have to love that instrument, whether it’s a trombone, trumpet, saxophone, or even your voice. You need to love it and also love the process of getting better, which requires a lot of practice. If you do that and become not just good, but great, it’s always been my philosophy that the world will open its arms to you, and you won’t have to worry about how to make a career out of it. But it all boils down to loving your craft and becoming truly great at it."
 

Community Engagement: “How do you engage with your community through your music, and do you have any memorable experiences with fans or community events?”  

"Well, I’ve done thousands of live performances in my career, and some are just your typical gigs at local theaters, while others are for specific causes in different communities. I always find it very flattering when I’m asked to perform to help raise awareness, raise money, or simply be part of an event that brings people together in local communities. Those shows are very satisfying, and I’m always grateful that my music can connect people to each other and to a great community."

Personal Reflection: “Looking back on your career, is there a particular moment or achievement that you’re especially proud of?” 

"Looking back, there are many moments that made a big difference in my career, but they all really boil down to the same thing: my dedication to practicing and getting as good as I possibly could on my instrument. When I didn’t make the high school band and decided to practice really hard the next year, coming back as first chair, that was a pivotal moment for me. Another key moment was when I chose to play an instrumental song on The Johnny Carson Show instead of the vocal song they wanted, where I played a saxophone solo. That was a significant pivotal moment. These moments made a huge difference in my career, and the bottom line is that I always trusted that if I excelled at what I do, I’d be able to make the right decisions without compromising the integrity of my music. Those decisions have led me to where I am today, and I’m very grateful for that."

About Kenny G

Kenny G is a Grammy Award–winning saxophonist whose indelible, unique sound created a new genre of music and has endeared him to millions of people around the world. He is the best-selling instrumentalist of all time, with global sales of more than seventy-five million albums. Kenny has twice been given the NAACP Image Award. A Seattle native, Kenny lives in Los Angeles and is a proud and devoted father.