Biography
Kenneth Bruce Gorelick, known professionally as Kenny G, is an American jazz saxophonist. His 1986 album, Duotones, marked his breakthrough into commercial success. Kenny G ranks among the best-selling artists worldwide, with over 75 million records sold.
Kenny G began his career in 1973 as a sideman for Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra at age 17 while still in high school. He continued performing professionally while pursuing an accounting degree at the University of Washington in Seattle, graduating Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude. Before joining The Jeff Lorber Fusion as a credited member, he played with the funk band Cold, Bold and Together. He launched his solo career following his time with Lorber.
He has contributed to various film soundtracks, including Dying Young and The Bodyguard. His composition "Theme for Dying Young" was nominated for Best Pop Instrumental Performance. Kenny G co-wrote The Bodyguard soundtrack, starring Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston, and performed his tracks "Waiting for You" and "Even If My Heart Would Break." His music also featured in The Shadow and Miracle on 34th Street.
Released in 1992, his sixth studio album, Breathless, became the best-selling instrumental album ever, with over 15 million copies sold globally and 12 million in the U.S. It produced several hits such as "Forever in Love," which won a Grammy for Best Instrumental Composition and appeared on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100. "Sentimental" reached No. 27 on the Adult Contemporary Chart, and "By the Time This Night Is Over," a duet with Peabo Bryson, peaked at No. 25 on the Hot 100. His first holiday album, Miracles, sold over 13 million copies, making it the most successful Christmas album to date. He also performed the U.S. National Anthem at the 1994 FIFA World Cup closing ceremony at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on July 17, 1994.
In 1997, Kenny G set a Guinness World Record for the longest note held on a saxophone, sustaining an E-flat for 45 minutes and 47 seconds using circular breathing at J&R Music World in New York City. That same year, his song "Havana" from the album The Moment was remixed by Todd Terry and Tony Moran, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Dance/Club Play Songs chart in April 1997.
His second holiday album, Faith, was the best-selling holiday album in the U.S. for 1999, moving 2 million units per Nielsen/SoundScan. The album's single, the traditional "Auld Lang Syne," reached No. 7 on the Hot 100. At the time, his rendition popularized the New Year 2000 celebrations and was the oldest-written song to chart on the Hot 100.
3 wins and 16 nominations
