I think everybody has to kind of decide what the word ‘jazz’ means to them, and that’s fine. – Kenny G
I started realizing that music is the one area where I’ve always let go. When that saxophone goes into my mouth, I get into a space where I never think about the notes I’ve already played or anticipate the notes ahead. – Kenny G
What is music anyway? It’s a form of communication, and that’s why I play the kind of music that I think – that I hope – can communicate with people. – Kenny G
Maybe I’m a dreamer, but I think the ordinary guy has just as much right to say ‘This is a good song’ as somebody who is in the music business. – Kenny G
I learned so much about playing and touring being on the road and in the studio with Jeff, but I’d always played a lot of gigs in Seattle even prior to joining the Fusion. – Kenny G
I’ve never personally criticized anyone else’s music, but I know that the public’s real problem is not the music I make but the perception that I play simple music for money only and for the notoriety and to increase my popularity. – Kenny G
You can’t just walk away when somebody recognizes you. You have to take some time out and talk to them. It’s not a waste of time – I just love talking to people. And I don’t do this to sell records. The truth is, I do what I do because I love it. – Kenny G
I listen to all the top 20 songs, and top 20 albums, even the rap albums. But I don’t like negative messages. If somebody is putting a lot of ego out there, I don’t like it. When I make my records I want it to be sincere. – Kenny G
Maybe the biggest thing that I’ve learned musically is that anything is possible. Things can work when maybe they don’t seem like they can. – Kenny G
I don’t play the traditional Charlie Parker songs. But I do improvise and I do create with my instrument, and that to me is jazz. But there are people who use the word ‘jazz’ only in a traditional sense, and they would be offended by that, and that’s fine. – Kenny G
Being a purely instrumental album, it makes a musical statement, not a religious one, and I hope that people can feel the emotion of the great melodies, even without the words. – Kenny G
Just figure out what you think jazz is, and then if it fits into that category, it’s jazz, and if it doesn’t, it isn’t. It’s no big deal. – Kenny G
