INTERVIEW

Kenny G - "I would say that it’s quite an honor to be on Frank Sinatra’s Duets CD..."

Kenny G-I would say that it’s quite an honor to be on Frank Sinatra’s Duets CD...

First of all I’d like to thank you for your time. It’s a great honour for me. Let us begin our conversation with the question of your upcoming performance in Poland. Well,
we still remember your concert in Warsaw in 2009. It was an unusual musical performance. Could you tell us what can we expect from you during this year’s concert?

We will play songs from our past CD’s, current CD’s and I think the audience will be very happy to see the great musicianship of the guys in my band. They are fantastic musicians and all play great solos during the evening. It’s not all sax!

Last time we were nicely surprised when you said a few words in Polish. Can we count on a small chat with you this time?  

I will certainly try!

You and the band seem to be very close to one another. You’ve been playing together for years (beside Daniel Bejard, who is a new member of your band) but as I suppose misunderstanding sometimes happen. Can you guys still separate your private life from work? Are those misunderstandings I mentioned about have any influence on your relationships?

We always get along so we don’t have any problems. We are musicians and so all we really care about when we play together is the music.

Let’ get back a little to the time when you took your first steps as a saxophonist. Who was your idol back then, your role model?

I never had a real role model when I started . but in High school my idol was Grover Washington Jr… In College my idols were players like John Coletrane, Sonny Rollins, Cannonball Aderly…etc..

You hold the world record for playing the longest note ever recorded on a saxophone (45 minutes and 47sec.). That’s really impressive! Are you going to break it on your next album?

I will try to break it sometime. I’m not sure when but I want to try for an hour.

Sometimes you perform with your son - Max. How do you feel then? Proud, nervous, excited? Tell me, what are the feelings of a father who looks at a son whose walking in his footsteps, becoming a professional musician?

I’m very proud because he has put in the time to be a good musician and so when I watch him perform I know he will do well and I’m not very nervous.

You’ve worked with famous music stars like Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand or Aretha Franklin. Which of these duets was especially memorable for you?

All of the people I have worked with are very memorable but I would say that it’s quite an honor to be on Frank Sinatra’s Duets CD. The whole world loves Frank and  to be on a Duets record with him is super prestigious and I was honored to have gotten the call.

What kind of music inspires you? What do you listen to in your spare time?

I listen to traditional Jazz and Classical music. Love them both. My next CD will be a CD of Bossa Nova in the style of the 50’s and 60’s. very traditional! I’m excited and am about half done.

Stadiums, huge halls or small clubs? Which of these areas you prefer the most, you like to play on?

All of the above!

I wonder if there was any unexpected occurrence during your performance that you especially remembered? If so, could you tell us about it.

One time in Hong Kong I was playing my song and all of a sudden Jackie Chan walked on stage and gave me flowers!! It was totally unexpected.

Do you know any Polish performer? Maybe there is someone you would like to make a duet with?

I honestly don’t know much Polish music.

At the end, please tell me, will you play a compilation of your very best compositions during Warsaw performance in April?

Yes..I will certainly try to do the best songs we have.

Once again thank you very much for your time and I wish you an unforgettable concert in Warsaw. See you at Kongresowa Hall.

Journalist: Sandra Jędrowiak

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