Kenny G., jazz or not?

Question

I see replies, on this website, that suggest that Kenny G. is a "jazz" artist. Isn't it really just easy listening (very easy listening), played with jazz band instruments?

For me, jazz is about the adventure of the musicians exploring music and pushing the limits. What do you think about that? Does Kenny G. music do this?

Answer 1

I agree. Kenny G is easy listening. I have a lot of friends that are jazz musicians and they agree.

Answer 2

As many times as I have listened, politely, to others thoughts about Kenny G., there are limitations to the scope of his playing. Sure, he plays well enough and sweet enough to be a mainstream artist and I think that's the problem that us purists have with it.

To a purist, jazz isn't one style or one idea but a compilation of thoughts and feelings. A communication of those, with others, within the same realm.

Real Jazz isn't written down, it is played from the soul, the very bottom of ones inner self. The emotion, the texture and even the sadness and the humor that are life itself.

One can hear that silence between the notes and differentiate who the players are by their particular thought process in regard to their instrument and how it is played, how it is thought out, how it is mastered.
It's that way because it is in it's pure form. Not doctored by the person in the sound booth that decides at what level to place the levers for the mixing of the music.

In that sense, Kenny G. is not the best artist out there but an artist none-the-less.

My opinion and mine alone.
Rick

Answer 3

You know, a lot of the great masters (of which I do not include Kenny G) really hated the term 'jazz' and often shunned using it to categorize their styles.

I have often used the quote that Kenny G is to jazz what Mr. T is to acting. Both have adoring fans and relative popularity. And to this, I say, "Fine - listen to what you like and what makes you feel good." On the other hand, thousands of species of insects eat dung, but that doesn't make it taste good, does it?

When it really comes down to it, jazz today is more of a 'feel', not a genre or style. Attempting to categorize some music these days, such as the Bad Plus, Charlie Hunter, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones (to name just a few) is futile. They encompass so much more than what can be defined in any single category.

Whether or not Kenny G's music can be called jazz is irrelevant. You can call any musical style anything you want. The real question: "Is it good music or bad music?" Personally, I don't care for it, but my opinion alone does not solidify a judgment. A lot of people love it, a lot hate it.

Some music is timeless and will be appreciated for generations to come. That is pretty much the definition of a 'classic'. In my opinion, I doubt that any Kenny G songs will be labeled 'classic' anytime soon or in the future.

Answer 4

Seeing some of his later recordings, he had reperformed some cantonese/mandarin pop songs (I mean VERY pop songs which aren't really considered classic-level in the asian market) into his album. If you think an orchestrated Queen, or Pink Floyd album makes those songs "classical music" (with the orchestra), you can perhaps call KG (I mean, his direction with his music) Jazz. I personally think it's easy listening (if not Pop Jazz XD), but I think it depends on what you get from the music itself. If some people may find KG's exploration very interesting, to Jazz level, then great.

One think I agree in Pat Metheny's comment:
"this controversy(is he jazz?) seems to be largely fueled by the fact that he sells an enormous amount of records while not being anywhere near a really great player in relation to the standards that have been set on his instrument over the past sixty or seventy years."

But everybody have their own preference. Jazz has experienced so many years of transformation and "sub-divisions"...I think putting him in the Jazz category is also like a marketing tool. You can't argue THAT then...

Answer 5

i myself do not pick to talk to those who come out their mouth and say Kenny G. while they here the be conscious jazz. That not what I evaluate jazz music or what I grew up on. And have confidence it or not maximum human beings on no account heard of Kenny Garrett certainly he grow to be in Miles band and that i do have his final est CD previous The Wall. So slightly advices while somebody suggested Kenny G. merely walk away.

Answer 6

Neither jazz aficionados nor Kenny G himself think of his music as jazz, but then easy listening stations have renamed themselves "smooth jazz," so there's a language problem here. It's a matter of advertising.

Answer 7

Kenny G is "Smooth Jazz" or "Pop Jazz".

Try the other Kenny G.... Garrett,

Kenny Garrett's recent CD is "Beyond The Wall". I find Kenny Garrett more interesting.

Answer 8

Was George Benson - Breezin jazz?
Was Chuck Mangione - Feel So Good jazz?
Kenny G is jazz but certainly not for purists. Hes not a groundbreaker like John Coltrane and Charlie Parker were. Hes got a pleasant sound. Its jazz to me. (Actually the sub genre for his style of jazz is "smooth jazz".) .Even if its more "pop" than jazz to you, so what. Its still pleasant music.
What I hate is string sections. Billie Holliday was one of the best singers ever but a lot of her songs are ruined (in my ears anyway) because of the string sections.Her songs are mostly blues songs. They don't need to be sweetened up with violins.

Answer 9

He does a combination of both Smooth Jazz and Easy Listening/Adult Contemporary, but did start out with Smooth Jazz.

His career got his start with a band called The Rippingtons, started by Russ Freeman.

Answer 10

Jazz is bigger than your definition. Not all jazz is cutting edge. The scales and progressions to which KG improvises places it solidly in the jazz genre. Learn to ignore the inherent snobbery that moves people to decide about categories based on what they like instead of using a more rational logic.