Soul In Every Note: Kenny G On Craft, Discipline, And Staying True

What if the clearest path to connection is refusing to chase it? We sit with Kenny G to explore how a sound born before the internet’s noise can still cut through, why three hours of focused practice beats hacks and shortcuts, and how a meticulous ear turns a pop track into the perfect canvas for a sax line. He shares how learning in isolation sharpened his instincts, how circular breathing became a 45‑minute Guinness record, and why the tiniest variables—reed moisture, breath timing, embouchure fatigue—separate myth from mastery.

We get into the craft behind collaborations and why he spends days sculpting a solo until it feels inevitable. There’s the viral Valentine with Kanye West that started with a skeptical text and ended with a sprint to late-night TV, along with candid reflections from his documentary on the small breaks that changed everything. He’s honest about the career move he’d redo, the early boost from Jeff Lorber and Clive Davis, and the choice to stick with an artist-first mindset even when the market grabs louder headlines.

Beyond the stage, the conversation stretches into his disciplined life: pro‑am golf with a competitive edge, pilot training and staying legally current, and a quiet track record as an early Starbucks investor who knows wins don’t erase the misses. Rapid-fire favorites reveal the taste behind the tone—Tokyo shows, a dream duet with Stan Getz, and the song he’d play forever. We close with what to expect from the upcoming Factory concert: a tight band of longtime players, a set that blends classics and Christmas, and an energy that surprises people who think they already know the show.

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