Embark on a journey through the fascinating life of Kenny G. Explore his career as a smooth jazz saxophonist, composer, and producer. Apart from his professional life, we can learn about his personal life.
We will explore details about “Kenny G Net Worth” and “Kenny G Bio”. In 2024, his iconic net worth stands at $100 million. Join us to explore the highlights of Kenny G’s multifaceted career.
Kenny G Net Worth
As of 2024, Kenny G net worth is estimated at $100 million. He has made a fortune as a contemporary saxophone composer and performer. He achieved this through wise investments in business ventures, real estate, and music.
He stands as the most successful instrumentalist in history. He has a track record of over 75 million albums sold worldwide. He also ranks among the top 100 best-selling musicians of all genres.
His property portfolio generates an impressive $600,000 in monthly rental income. This adds to his considerable wealth which ensures a luxurious lifestyle for years to come.
Kenny G Career – Income Source
He launched his career at 17 as a sideman for Barry White’s Love Unlimited Orchestra in 1973, continuing while studying accounting at the University of Washington. After graduating with honors, he aimed for a CPA qualification.
Using the name Kenny Gorelick, he played with the Seattle funk band Cold, Bold & Together before joining the Jeff Lorber Fusion in 1980. He eventually left, feeling he had outgrown the association.
In the 1980s, Kenny G’s solo career took off after signing with Arista Records in 1982. His debut album received acclaim, and subsequent releases like “Duotones” in 1986 marked his commercial peak.
Collaborating with artists such as George Benson and Patti LaBelle, Kenny G achieved success in the jazz and R&B scene. His live album, “Kenny G Live,” found great success in China, particularly with the track “Going Home.”
In the 1990s, “Breathless” became the best-selling instrumental album ever, and his holiday album “Miracles” set records. Kenny G earned a Guinness World Record for playing the longest note on a saxophone in 1997.
Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Kenny G continued to evolve his sound, collaborating with diverse artists. He maintained popularity, evidenced by his appearance on Kanye West’s “Jesus Is King” in 2019.
In the 2020s, Kenny G remained active, contributing to The Weeknd’s remix and the soundtrack of “The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run” in 2021. His versatility extended to collaborations with avant-garde metal band Imperial Triumphant in 2022.
Popularity in China
He recorded Chinese songs such as “Jasmine Flower” and “The Moon Represents My Heart”. His song “Going Home” became a popular closing tune in China from the 1989 Kenny Live album.
It serves as an unofficial national anthem for various businesses. The song is played over loudspeakers and on television stations before it goes off. Many Chinese often associate it with wrapping up activities and going home. They do so without knowing the song title or artist.
Kenny G Equipment
Kenny G uses Selmer Mark VI soprano, alto, and tenor saxophones. He also founded his line of saxophones, known as “Kenny G Saxophones”.
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Kenny G Biography
Kenny G is the professional name of Kenneth Bruce Gorelick. He is an American smooth jazz saxophonist, composer, and producer. His album “Duotones” in 1986 marked a significant commercial breakthrough.
Who is Kenny G?
He is one of the best-selling artists known for his smooth jazz style. He boasts record sales figures worldwide exceeding 75 million.
Kenny G Early Life – Kenny G Family
Kenny G Real Name
He is a saxophonist, composer, and producer. His real name is Kenneth Bruce Gorelick. His stage name is Kenny G.
Kenny G Age – How old is Kenny G?
Kenny was born on June 5, 1956, in Seattle, Washington. His age is 67 years old.
Kenny G Parents
His parents are Morris Gorelick and Evelyn Gorelick. His mother, a Canadian Jew from Saskatchewan, inspired his musical journey.
This happened after he heard a saxophone performance on The Ed Sullivan Show. He began playing the saxophone in 1966 at the age of 10 with a buffet crampon alto.
Kenny G Siblings
He has an older brother, sports enthusiast Brian Gorelick. Brian developed his interest in golf. He has one sister Nancy Gorelick.
Kenny G Height and Weight
His height is 5 feet 7 inches and his weight is 75 kg.
Kenny G Ethnicity
His ethnicity is Jewish.
Education – Kenny G High School, Kenny G College
He attended Seattle Whitworth Elementary. Later, he attended Sharples Junior High (renamed Kuros Middle School). Later, he went to Franklin High School. Initially unsuccessful, he later earned the first chair in the high school jazz band.
His classmate Robert Damper plays in his band. While in high school he received weekly private lessons on saxophone and clarinet from Johnny Jessen. He continued his education at the University of Washington.
Kenny G Wife, Kenny G New Wife
Kenny G tied the knot with Janice DeLeon in 1980. However, their marriage ended in divorce in 1987. He later married Lindy Benson in 1992.
The couple faced difficulties when Benson-Gorelick filed for legal separation in January 2012. Kenny G began divorce proceedings in August 2012.
Kenny G Sons
He has two sons. Their names are Max Gorelick and Noah Gorelick.
Their son Max became the guitarist for the experimental metal band Imperial Triumphant in 2016.
Kenny G Wikipedia (Bio-Data)
| Real Name/ Full Name | Kenneth Bruce Gorelick |
| Nick Name | Kenny G |
| Gender | Male |
| Date of Birth | June 5, 1956 |
| Age | 67 years old |
| Birth Place | Seattle, Washington, United States |
| Parents Name | Father – Morris Gorelick Mother – Evelyn Gorelick |
| Height | 5 feet 7 inches (1.71 m) (171cm) |
| Weight | 75 kg (165 lbs) |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Siblings | (One Sister) Nancy Gorelick, (One Brother) Brian Gorelick |
| Languages | English |
| Ethnicity | Jewish |
| Religion | Jewish |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
| Girlfriend | NA |
| Married | Yes (Divorced) |
| Wife Name | Janice DeLeon (m. 1980; div. 1987), Lydie Benson (m. 1992; div. 2012) |
| Children | (Two Children) Max Gorelick, Noah Gorelick |
| Profession | Saxophonist, Songwriter, Record Producer, Golfer |
| Kenny G Net Worth | $100 million |
Kenny G Website, and Other Social Media Profiles
| Social Media Site | Linked Destination |
| Website | Click Here |
| Click Here | |
| Click Here | |
| Click Here | |
| Youtube | Click Here |
| Tiktok | Click Here |
Criticism
He has faced criticism from mainstream jazz figures. Pat Metheny, for example, characterized him as undeveloped. Metheny noted problems with rhythm and limited melodic vocabulary.
Branford Marsalis refuses to get involved in the “senseless war between jazz and smooth jazz”. He urged critics to leave Kenny alone, emphasizing his appeal to diverse audiences.
Kenny’s 1999 single “What a Wonderful World” sparked criticism. It faced backlash for overdubbing Louis Armstrong’s recordings. Critics like Mark Sabbatini deemed it an “unconscionable act of auditory graffiti.”
Charles McPherson had mixed feelings. He acknowledges Kenny’s audience’s familiarity with the jazz greats. However, he questions Kenny’s identity as a jazz musician.
In a review for JazzTimes, critic Joseph Woodard suggested that Kenny served as an example of “what not to do” for musicians. He characterized other jazz legends as “overrated”.
In 2021 HBO released a documentary on Kenny G titled “Listening to Kenny G”. The documentary explores his polarizing status as both popular and disliked by the critical mass. Richard Brody portrays Kenny’s somewhat indifferent approach to music in the film.
Kenny G Awards and Nominations
Kenny won four awards. He received 24 nominations in his career. His wins include an American Music Award and a Billboard Music Award. Additionally, he has earned two Grammy Awards. He has a total of 17 Grammy nominations. In 1997 he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In 1994 Kenny won a Grammy for Best Instrumental Composition for ‘Forever in Love’. In 1997 he set a Guinness World Record. He held an E flat note for 45 minutes and 47 seconds at J&R Music World in New York City.
By 2003, he was ranked as the 25th-best-selling artist in the United States according to the RIAA. By 2006 her estimated album sales had reached 48 million.
Kenny G Songs – Kenny G Music
- “Forever in Love” – Breathless · 1992
- “Love’s Theme” – Rhapsody in White · 1974
- “My Heart Will Go On” – Kenny G – Greatest Hits · 1997
- “Songbird” – Duotones · 1986
- “The Moment” – The Moment · 1996
- “Going Home”
- “Sentimental” – Breathless · 1992
- “Silhouette” – Silhouette · 1988
- “By The Time This Night Is Over” – Breathless · 1992
- “Don’t Make Me Wait for Love” – Duotones · 1986
- “Theme From ‘Dying Young'” – Dying Young · 1991
- “Havana” – The Moment · 1996
- “Even If My Heart Would Break” – Breathless · 1992
- “Champagne” – Duotones · 1986
- “Waiting for You” – The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album · 1992
- “You’re Beautiful” – I’m in the Mood for Love…The Most Romantic Melodies of All Time · 2006
- “The Wedding Song” – Breathless · 1992
- “We’ve Saved the Best for Last” – Silhouette · 1988
- “One More Time” – Paradise · 2002
- “The Joy of Life” – Breathless · 1992
- “Jasmine Flower” – Breathless · 1992
- “That Somebody Was You” – The Moment · 1996
- “Midnight Motion” – Duotones · 1986
- “Loving You” – Kenny G – Greatest Hits · 1997
- “Morning” – Breathless · 1992
- “The Way You Move” – At Last…The Duets Album · 2004
- “Sade” – Duotones · 1986
- “In the Rain” – Breathless · 1992
- “Every Time I Close My Eyes” – Radio Kolor: POP, SOUL, R’N’B · 2016
- “Besame Mucho” – Rhythm & Romance · 2008
- “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” – Miracles: The Holiday Album · 1994
- “G-Bop” – Breathless · 1992
Kenny G Albums – Kenny G Discography
- 1982 – Kenny G
- 1983 – G Force
- 1985 – Gravity
- 1986 – Duotones
- 1988 – Silhouette
- 1992 – Breathless
- 1994 – Miracles: The Holiday Album
- 1996 – The Moment
- 1999 – Classics in the Key of G
- 1999 – Faith: A Holiday Album
- 2002 – Paradise
- 2004 – At Last…The Duets Album
- 2006 – I’m in the Mood for Love…The Most Romantic Melodies of All Time
- 2008 – Rhythm and Romance
- 2010 – Heart and Soul
- 2012 – Namaste with Rahul Sharma
- 2015 – Brazilian Nights
- 2021 – New Standards
- 2023 – Innocence
Kenny G Concert Tours
Headlining:
- Brazilian Tour in 2015.
- The Miracles Holiday & Hits Tour in 2017.
Co-headlining:
- Moment of Truth World Tour with Whitney Houston in 1987.
- Secrets Tour with Toni Braxton in 1996.
- The Hits Tour with Toni Braxton in 2016.
- The Breezin’ & Breathless Tour with George Benson in 2017.
FAQ
What instrument does Kenny G play?
He is famous for his ability to play the soprano saxophone. His smooth and soaring voice made him synonymous with the instrument.
How tall is Kenny G?
His height is 5 feet 7 inches.