Kenny G

Kenny G's career has proceeded with a smoothness that's on par with his adult-contemporary jazz-pop sound. Born Kenneth Bruce Gorelick in Seattle in 1956, the saxophonist (and early Starbucks investor) has sold more than 75 million albums since the release of his self-titled 1982 debut. After beginning his professional life as a teenage sideman in Barry White’s Love Unlimited Orchestra, Kenny joined up with The Jeff Lorber Fusion, where the saxist’s light-hearted approach to jazz-pop (and corkscrew coiff) fully emerged. The platinum success of his ‘80s-era solo albums G Force and Gravity—and his caressing melodic interpretations, brightening the tracks of R&B giants like Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick and Patti LaBelle—only hinted at what was to come. His sweet soprano sound was inescapable in the 1990s, especially his 1993 jazz-R&B crossover, Breathless, which moved more than 12 million copies to become the best-selling instrumental album ever. Kenny was everywhere: as a blithe interpreter of the Great American Songbook (Classics in the Key of G); as a holiday fixture (courtesy of Miracles and Faith); even in the club (after “Havana”’ scored a house remix). Kenny’s interests only widened as he rocketed into the 21st century, dabbling in Bossa nova with 2008’s Rhythm & Romance, partnering with Indian classical santoor player Rahul Sharma on 2015’s Namaste, and serving as an unlikely—but altogether charming—collaborator on Kanye West’s “This Gospel” and The Weeknd’s “In Your Eyes”.