Tuningoutthecriticism

Highlysuccessfulsaxophonist KennyG isunfazed by threedecades of potshots,asdemonstratedinanewdocumentary

BY GARY GERARDHAMILTON

KennyGorelick, known to millions as KennyG,has beenone ofthe mostbeloved andhated figures inmusicthroughout thelast three decades.Butthe musicsuperstar, synonymousforhislong, curly brown hair as much asforhissoprano saxophone, hasignored hiscriticsand remained largelyunbothered, well before the term wasa popular socialmedia hashtag.

“If you’re going to criticizeme, I’m justnot going togo withthat becauseI alreadyknow thatI’m doingmy very very best.So, there’s where the confidence comes from,” said theGrammy winner whohas a sold-out concert Friday atPechanga Resort andCasino.“Didit ever really hurt me?Honestly, no.Because I’ve got myarmorofknowingI’m doingmy very very best. That’s why I practice every dayI’mnever alittle rusty— ever.”

KennyG’s unconventional journey to the top and thejazz purists’feathers he’s ruffledalong the way— is exploredinthenew documentary “Listening to KennyG,”directedbyPenny Lane and now streaming on HBO Max.Inaddition to thecriticism, the filmdetailshisSeattle upbringing,beingdiscovered bylegendary music executive Clive Davis,andthemassive successofhitsongs like “Silhouette,”“Songbird”and “Sentimental.” KennyG,who’s also releaseda new albumcalled“New Standards,”talks abouthisparticipation inthe film,hislegacy, and workingwith currentmegastar artistslike Kanye WestandThe Weeknd.(Answershave been editedforclarity andbrevity.)

Q:The film opensupwith some very harshcriticismof you,but you seem to have tough skin Was thereevera timeitbothered you?

A:Since the’80s,I’ve always thoughtofitkindofthis way:Theydon’tparticularlylike mystyle of music SothesongsI putout,especiallyoncethey got popular of course,oncethey got popular theyhateditmore. They’re justthinkingthatmaybe I’m justcreatingthese melodies because I know somehow it’s going to sell records andI’m going to be rich andfamousbecauseofthis, whichI hadnoideaof.I’m just playingsongs the way that I hear them. I love a melody that’s played properly.

Q:What convinced you to participate in a documentary withPenny Lane?

A:She was not necessarilya fanofmymusic,whichI thought was coolthatshesaid thatrightoffthebat.Butnotthat shedidn’tlike it,she just wasn’t thisbigfan that wanted to makea movieaboutme.She justsaid thatthere’sa story totell about how “there’sa groupofpeople that reallyhave a problemwith yoursuccess.AndI’d like totell thatstory.”I said,“I’ve been

Thismorningas I layinbed, I heard frommyleft hip flexor, ithad a high-pitched tone, too tightlystrung

Thenmyrightankle joinedthesong

Thenmyleft toe

Irolledonto mybellyandimaginedunbucklingmyhips

Unbucklingmyankles

Draggingmyarmsdown to mysides I unbuckledmy shoulders

Hasanyone ever written aboutunbucklingtheheart,I wondered?

Unbucklingtheheart, Lettingthedisappointment flow outofthe chambers

Thesadnessand grief tuckedinto themitralvalve might need a littlescraping to flushitout hearingthatsincethe’80s.”

Q:

Because you’ve faced so much criticism fromjazz purists,do you think you’ve influencedup-and-comingjazzartists?

A:I think soinsome ways. You know, first:thefactthatthe saxophoneisoutthere somuch— that peopleare hearingthesax.I know thesopranosaxhasdefinitely gotten a resurgencebecause ofmeandthefactthatI’ve been outthere somuch withthesoprano,mostly.

Q:You’veconnectedwith Kanye WestandThe Weeknd. Isthat how you’ve stayed current?

A:I’m really flattered whenI get thosephonecalls from Kanye and thenThe Weeknd, of course.Itmakesmefeel great that somehow they wantmysound to bepart oftheirmusic.Andthey’re sopopularnow— theydon’tneed

By Julie Potiker

me.I’mnotdoingthem a bigfavor. They’re not reaching out to mesoI canhelpthemsell records.They’re justdoingitpurelybecause,creatively, theythink,“Oh, wow, (we love) yoursound.”

Q:Kenny whatdo you think yourlegacywillbe? I think thedocumentary leads to that question.

A:Gosh,I’ve never even thoughtaboutsomething like that.I don’tthink ofmyselfso seriously to have a legacy ButI mean, I don’tknow— hopefullyit inspires people to want to play the saxophone. Maybe part ofmy legacyispeople reallyinterested maybemore inmebecause ofthe notoriety that I have butmaybeI cansteer them toward someofthe oldtraditionaljazzstuffthatthey maynothaveever heard,and I can keep that music alive longer.” Hamiltonwrites for TheAssociated Press.

KennyGplaysthesoprano saxophoneinascene from anewdocumentary directedby Penny Lane.

KennyG

When: 8 p.m Friday

Where: Pechanga Resort and Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula

Tickets: Soldout Online: ticketmaster.com

The existentialangstatallthatislost every day inour humanfamily

Thatblows awayinplaceslike KentuckyandthePhilippinesthistime

Next timesomeothervillage or town willlose to nature— ourbluemarbleindangermakingitselfknownagainand again

After theheart isunbuckled,anddrainedinto theriver, there is roomforthepackages to arrive Precioussquaresofmomentsintentionally wrappedand delivered to you, fromthepersonthatknows you best

Unwrapthesmile you remember in a child’s eyes

Unwrapthelight flashingonthe water

Unwrapthewindblowingthroughthemountaintrees

Unwrap youruniquepearlsof awe

Unwrapthetruththatloveresideshere