Kenny G

Early Life

Kenny G, born Kenneth Bruce Gorelick on June 5, 1956, in Seattle, Washington, grew up in a Jewish family. His mother, a Canadian Jew from Saskatchewan, inspired his musical journey when he first heard a saxophone performance on The Ed Sullivan Show. At the age of 10, he began playing the saxophone, starting with a Buffet Crampon alto. Kenny attended several schools in Seattle, including Franklin High School, where he initially struggled to join the jazz band but eventually earned first chair after re-auditioning. He also took private lessons in saxophone and clarinet, laying the groundwork for his future career.

Career

Kenny G's professional career began at 17 when he joined Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra. While pursuing a degree in accounting at the University of Washington, he played with the Seattle funk band Cold, Bold & Together and later joined the Jeff Lorber Fusion. In 1982, he signed with Arista Records, adopting the stage name Kenny G. His breakthrough album, "Duotones," released in 1986, catapulted him to fame, making him one of the best-selling artists of all time with over 75 million records sold globally. His smooth jazz style, characterized by his signature saxophone sound, has earned him numerous accolades, including Grammy Awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Personal Life

Kenny G's personal life has seen two marriages; he first married Janice DeLeon in 1980, but they divorced in 1987. He later married Lyndie Benson in 1992, with whom he has two sons. An avid golfer, Kenny has participated in the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am tournament multiple times and has been recognized as one of the top musicians in golf. Additionally, he is a licensed pilot and owns a De Havilland Beaver seaplane. Kenny G is also known for his friendship with former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz and was an early investor in the coffee chain.