And I’d like to tell that story.” I said, “I’ve been hearing that since the '80s.”ĪP: Because you’ve faced so much criticism from jazz purists, do you think you’ve influenced up-and-coming jazz artists? She just said that there’s a story to tell about how “there’s a group of people that really have a problem with your success.
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But not that she didn’t like it, she just wasn’t this big fan that wanted to make a movie about me. KENNY G: She was not necessarily a fan of my music, which I thought was cool that she said that right off the bat.
I love a melody that’s played properly.ĪP: What convinced you to participate in a documentary with Penny Lane? I’m just playing songs the way that I hear them. So the songs I put out, especially once they got popular- of course, once they got popular - they hated it more… They’re just thinking that maybe I’m just creating these melodies because I know somehow it’s going to sell records and I’m going to be rich and famous because of this, which I had no idea of.
KENNY G: Since the '80s, I’ve always thought of it kind of this way: They don’t particularly like my style of music. Answers have been edited for clarity and brevity.ĪP: The film opens up with some very harsh criticism of you, but you seem to have tough skin. The Associated Press spoke with Kenny G, who will also release a new album called “New Standards” on Friday, about his participation in the film, his legacy, and working with current megastar artists like Kanye West and The Weeknd. In addition to the criticism, the film details his Seattle upbringing, being discovered by legendary music executive Clive Davis, and the massive success of hit songs like “ Silhouette,” “ Songbird " and “ Sentimental.” Kenny G’s unconventional journey to the top - and the jazz purists’ feathers he’s ruffled along the way - is explored in the new documentary “Listening to Kenny G” directed by Penny Lane, which premieres Friday at 8 p.m. Because I’ve got my armor of knowing I’m doing my very, very best. “Did it ever really hurt me? Honestly, no. So, there’s where the confidence comes from,” said the Grammy winner. “If you’re going to criticize me, I’m just not going to go with that because I already know that I’m doing my very, very best. But the music superstar, synonymous for his long, curly brown hair as much as for his soprano saxophone, has ignored his critics and remained largely unbothered, well before the term was a popular social media hashtag. NEW YORK - Kenny Gorelick, known to millions as Kenny G, has been one of the most beloved - and hated - figures in music throughout the last three decades. By GARY GERARD HAMILTON, Associated Press