Kenny Gorelick Biography
An icon of the smooth jazz genre and one of the most commercially successful instrumentalists of all time, soprano saxophonist Kenny Gorelick has sold over 50 million albums to fans worldwide. His lush, melodic playing, which sometimes echoes that of his early idol Grover Washington Jr., has been a consistent favorite of smooth jazz and adult contemporary radio stations ever since he began recording in the mid-1980s.
The Seattle-born musician got his first professional gig in 1976, playing in Barry White’s Love Unlimited Orchestra, and subsequently recorded two albums as a member of the Jeff Lorber Fusion. Kenny won a solo deal with Arista Records, after label president Clive Davis heard his rendition of ABBA’s “Dancing Queen,” and released his self-titled debut album in 1982, followed by the well-received G-Force and Gravity.
Kenny G achieved a major commercial breakthrough with his fourth album, 1986’s Duotones, which featured the hit single “Songbird.” That album established Kenny G as a genuine pop star, and it wasn’t long before he was making guest appearances on records with such notable stars as Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, Toni Braxton and Michael Bolton. Meanwhile, Kenny G’s 1992 release Breathless was another major smash, and 1994’s holiday-themed Miracles and 1996’s Moment continued his commercial winning streak. The Moment track “Havana” became a surprise dance-club hit in a remix by DJs Todd Terry and Tony Moran.
The artist achieved a unique distinction in 1997, when he won a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for playing the longest saxophone note ever recorded on a saxophone, holding an E-flat for 45 minutes and 12 seconds. He revisited his jazz roots on 1999’s Classics in the Key of G, which featured his interpretations of such jazz standards as “Body and Soul” and “”Round Midnight.” 2002’s Paradise featured a tropical vibe and guest vocals by R&B stars Brian McKnight and Chanté Moore. 2004 saw the release of At Last… The Duets Album, on which he teamed with an all-star cast of guest vocalists ranging from Barbra Streisand to Chaka Khan. More recently, he’s experimented with a brassy big-band sound on I’m in the Mood for Love and a Latin influence on Rhythm and Romance.
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