It's funny. Everyone is hating ok Kenny g. Music is music. Straight ahead or "Instrumental Pop" , its music. Bobby Watson is a master at what he does as is Kenny G. So shut up and enjoy listening to people who do what they do well and what u can't.
While flagging all of the comments that support Kenny G for spam, I tried to feel guilty. Then an angel came down and told me that it was on God's to do list, I just had beaten him to the punch. Kenny G was an actor for Lenny Picket's sax solo in a Katy Perry song. I think thats selling out.
@malloyflyman17 There's something different about his, not sure what. It's almost like his own signature model, but it is based on a Yamaha Custom. That alone is a big part of the cost. Plus, the store I saw it at is known for being overpriced anyways, so that could be it too lol.
@ ricjai: yeah, he plays on a yamaha custom. i saw him play a show at Friends University in wichita, kansas not too terribly long ago, and afterwards got a chance to play my sax and jam with him. that yamaha he plays is one of the nicest i think i've ever seen. expensive, too; sells for about six thou at one of the music stores in town.
@grrrroink I hear what you're saying. I think Bobby does an amazing job of playing the piece accurately while taking ownership of his performance, nonetheless. I especially like the way he swings it. There are lot of notes to squeeze in there, so it's common to hear it come out sounding more mechanical. Bobby puts some swing and soul into Donna Lee in a way that I've not heard others do it..
As far as Kenny G is concerend, nobody is hating on him. All we are saying is DO NOT CALL A HOME RUN A STRIKE. Call it for what it is. Kenny G does not play jazz. He plays instrumental pop. I feel a sax player can play whatever he likes. But do not call it jazz. And the funny thing, is that Kenny G has never been quoted as calling his music Jazz. That concept come from ignorant DJ's who think that every guy who picks up a horn is playing jazz lol.
You have to be crazy to be hating on Coltrane. If there was a better sax player than Coltrane, then he would have come forward in that time period. I say that, because that was a time when you did not have fake out wannabe producers. If you knew about the New York Scene, Smalls Paradise, and Mintons is where all the jazz cats came to cut their sht. Miles took the hotest player of the time. Coltane was it !!!
Just throwing this out there, anyone with ears can tell Kenny G is NOT a fantastic sax player. Listen to him live, he consistently plays SHARP, SIGNIFICANTLY SHARP. (like 20 cents and does nothing to adjust) He is a hack, and has done his best and succeeded at insulting jazz and saxophonists alike. I don't dislike him for his selling out, I dislike him because he's getting paid to be a talentless hack, while Watson busts his ass and gets paid little to nothing. In other words, eff Kenny G. :)
you are an idiot. watson is very wealthy and kenny g is as well. he does not play sharp and whether you or I like it, he is a fantastic player who is a sellout and plays the most popular music and that is the ONLY reason people hate him. he changes his music every so years to make cash. he is a nice guy and the most legendary and famous soprano player ever whether i like smooth jazz or not (which i dont). quit acting like an arrogant child and respect all forms of music
@fatalknivez I hope no one is trying to compare Bobby to Kenny G. We had a sign in our jazz radio station similar to a no smoking sign: a circle around a cigarette with a slash through it. The difference was ours had "Kenny G" instead of the cigarette. Anyway, you get the picture.
@fatalknivez kenny g and most smooth jazz players can play straight ahead jazz VERY well, especially over chord changes. I have a friend who's a jazz musician who heard kenny g warming up before a concert and said kenny g was playing giant steps, changes and good solo by himself. Most smooth jazz artists choose not to do straight ahead because there's no money in it. If guys like bobby watson want to keep playing straight ahead jazz making NO money then IT'S THEIR FREAKING CHOICE. Seriously!!!!
and even if he was circular breathing is ridiculously easy on a piece like this. circular breathing is deathly difficult on long notes. kenny g (soprano player) is the circular breathing world record holder (not with any offense to watson he's one of the best altoists today IMHO)
not bursting any bubble. regardless of what anyone thinks, kenny G is one of the best players in the world. people hate him because he is the godliest jazz soprano you've ever heard but he does smooth jazz for the money (he's the richest sax player on the planet as well)
listen, I'm not a fan, but kenny G is a FANTASTIC player. In all honesty he is probably more gifted than bobby watson. I got to hear kenny play jazz on soprano and he has to be the best soprano in history when it comes to jazz. he just chose the path of fame and wealth. if you didn't know kenny G is the richest saxophonist alive because he plays what people want to hear. he used to play jazz and funk, some disco back in the day when people liked it. now he plays romance
1. Watson is a musical genius, but that doesn't make plenty of people better than him. I'm willing to bet anyone that there is a person who isn't even a music major that beats coltrane but he hasn't been found by the public. The leading violinist at Julliard is 6 yrs old.
2. Coltrane is not nearly as good at soprano as Kenny G in terms of playing. do I like kenny? no. but I am humble enough to respect that he has it. coltrane only had 1 big recording on soprano. with all his publicity having one recording is a disgrace. coltrane was famous not for being a great player, more for his musical genius. he was a fantastic improviser and composer.
That's where you are incorrect...Not only was he famous for his musical genius, he was also an amazing player...about 1000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000x better than kenny g will ever be.
I've been playing sax probably longer than you've been alive. listen, kenny G is a VERY good player, but he is hated by much of the sax community because he only plays songs that make the most money, he played funk when it was popuar, soul, and now smooth jazz. to him its about the cash. coltrane is not nearly as popular of a player as the other sax giants. most of his legend was from composing like Mozart of the classical realm. you cant tell me the richest sax player in history is a bad player
3. yes kenny is a sellout and your statement is false. if you are really talented and you value money like many do, you may or may not want to sellout. you obviously haven't met him at NAMM like I have. he is probably the most talented jazz soprano in history. not to mention he held the circular breathing world record. face it, he's a peoples person. he plays what makes people happy, and he loves doing it. he really is a nice guy but he is disrespected for being a sellout. i'm not a fan though
I always heard that the champ in this area was Rahsaan:
"According to The Guinness Book of World Records, saxophone milquetoast Kenny G won the official title for the longest sustained note after a 45-minute circular-breathing performance in 1997. But those familiar with arcane jazz history know better. Rahsaan Roland Kirk played a nonstop circular-breathing sax solo for two hours and 21 minutes in front of a roomful of witnesses in a London jazz club in the early '70s."
listen...he plays a different style of music. from this comment i think you dont deserve to play an instrument. have respect for all styles of music. i dont care for kenny's playing either just cause it isnt my style but i still respect it
It's funny. Everyone is hating ok Kenny g. Music is music. Straight ahead or "Instrumental Pop" , its music. Bobby Watson is a master at what he does as is Kenny G. So shut up and enjoy listening to people who do what they do well and what u can't.
DroppinDABEATS92 1 month ago
While flagging all of the comments that support Kenny G for spam, I tried to feel guilty. Then an angel came down and told me that it was on God's to do list, I just had beaten him to the punch. Kenny G was an actor for Lenny Picket's sax solo in a Katy Perry song. I think thats selling out.
gemerchakm 6 months ago
@malloyflyman17 There's something different about his, not sure what. It's almost like his own signature model, but it is based on a Yamaha Custom. That alone is a big part of the cost. Plus, the store I saw it at is known for being overpriced anyways, so that could be it too lol.
FerrariDude24 1 year ago
@ ricjai: yeah, he plays on a yamaha custom. i saw him play a show at Friends University in wichita, kansas not too terribly long ago, and afterwards got a chance to play my sax and jam with him. that yamaha he plays is one of the nicest i think i've ever seen. expensive, too; sells for about six thou at one of the music stores in town.
FerrariDude24 1 year ago
@FerrariDude24 What's different about his? I use a custom Z that's about half that.
malloyflyman17 1 year ago
Nice circular breathing at 2:30
18ryanjm 1 year ago
Guys, really? Are we flaming Kenny G? Jazz is great, no matter who it comes from, and artist fighting shouldn't spread itself to jazz.
RomZomCom 1 year ago
True improv
AltoSaxBoss 1 year ago
cool sax playin
LadySaxPlaya 1 year ago
Met him. He grew up here where i go to school, in bonner springs kansas. He played at our jazz band concert
creativexcreation 1 year ago
Sounds just like charlie parker but abit slower :)
ricgus3 1 year ago
I wish he let his phrasing "breeze" a little more like Parker used to do. Of course, it's challenging to do so in a solo sax performance.
grrrroink 1 year ago
@grrrroink I hear what you're saying. I think Bobby does an amazing job of playing the piece accurately while taking ownership of his performance, nonetheless. I especially like the way he swings it. There are lot of notes to squeeze in there, so it's common to hear it come out sounding more mechanical. Bobby puts some swing and soul into Donna Lee in a way that I've not heard others do it..
jmreinke 1 year ago
Bobby watson is a genius !!!!!
AltoSaxBoss 2 years ago
As far as Kenny G is concerend, nobody is hating on him. All we are saying is DO NOT CALL A HOME RUN A STRIKE. Call it for what it is. Kenny G does not play jazz. He plays instrumental pop. I feel a sax player can play whatever he likes. But do not call it jazz. And the funny thing, is that Kenny G has never been quoted as calling his music Jazz. That concept come from ignorant DJ's who think that every guy who picks up a horn is playing jazz lol.
AltoSaxBoss 2 years ago
You have to be crazy to be hating on Coltrane. If there was a better sax player than Coltrane, then he would have come forward in that time period. I say that, because that was a time when you did not have fake out wannabe producers. If you knew about the New York Scene, Smalls Paradise, and Mintons is where all the jazz cats came to cut their sht. Miles took the hotest player of the time. Coltane was it !!!
AltoSaxBoss 2 years ago
A musical genius.
The best alto sax player since Charlie Parker. Mr Watson have his sound and style.
vscsrg 2 years ago
Just throwing this out there, anyone with ears can tell Kenny G is NOT a fantastic sax player. Listen to him live, he consistently plays SHARP, SIGNIFICANTLY SHARP. (like 20 cents and does nothing to adjust) He is a hack, and has done his best and succeeded at insulting jazz and saxophonists alike. I don't dislike him for his selling out, I dislike him because he's getting paid to be a talentless hack, while Watson busts his ass and gets paid little to nothing. In other words, eff Kenny G. :)
fatalknivez 2 years ago 10
you are an idiot. watson is very wealthy and kenny g is as well. he does not play sharp and whether you or I like it, he is a fantastic player who is a sellout and plays the most popular music and that is the ONLY reason people hate him. he changes his music every so years to make cash. he is a nice guy and the most legendary and famous soprano player ever whether i like smooth jazz or not (which i dont). quit acting like an arrogant child and respect all forms of music
SaxophoneProductions 2 years ago
@fatalknivez I hope no one is trying to compare Bobby to Kenny G. We had a sign in our jazz radio station similar to a no smoking sign: a circle around a cigarette with a slash through it. The difference was ours had "Kenny G" instead of the cigarette. Anyway, you get the picture.
larrysmac 1 year ago
@fatalknivez kenny g and most smooth jazz players can play straight ahead jazz VERY well, especially over chord changes. I have a friend who's a jazz musician who heard kenny g warming up before a concert and said kenny g was playing giant steps, changes and good solo by himself. Most smooth jazz artists choose not to do straight ahead because there's no money in it. If guys like bobby watson want to keep playing straight ahead jazz making NO money then IT'S THEIR FREAKING CHOICE. Seriously!!!!
ratiocinativeness 11 months ago
that is some intense circular breathing
Sax121Man 2 years ago
he isn't circular breathing....
and even if he was circular breathing is ridiculously easy on a piece like this. circular breathing is deathly difficult on long notes. kenny g (soprano player) is the circular breathing world record holder (not with any offense to watson he's one of the best altoists today IMHO)
SaxophoneProductions 2 years ago
hate to burst your bubble, but Kenny G DOES NOT hold the record any longer. A guy by the name of Vann Burchfield broke it in 2000.
dordulek 2 years ago
not bursting any bubble. regardless of what anyone thinks, kenny G is one of the best players in the world. people hate him because he is the godliest jazz soprano you've ever heard but he does smooth jazz for the money (he's the richest sax player on the planet as well)
even so, I'm not a fan. sounds all the same to me
SaxophoneProductions 2 years ago
smooth jazz? what kenny g does shouldn't even be considered sax playing.
Bookwormjr 2 years ago
listen, I'm not a fan, but kenny G is a FANTASTIC player. In all honesty he is probably more gifted than bobby watson. I got to hear kenny play jazz on soprano and he has to be the best soprano in history when it comes to jazz. he just chose the path of fame and wealth. if you didn't know kenny G is the richest saxophonist alive because he plays what people want to hear. he used to play jazz and funk, some disco back in the day when people liked it. now he plays romance
SaxophoneProductions 2 years ago
Woah woah woah man.....
"more gifted than bobby watson"....are you kidding me? Do your homework buddy, watson is a musical genious.
"[kenny g is] the best soprano in history".....how about coltrane?
"[kenny g plays] what people want to hear".....SELLOUT. no one who is extremely musically talented would ever want to sell out.
Why are we talking about Kenny G under this video when we could be talking about Bobby Watson?
mecjazz 2 years ago 2
1. Watson is a musical genius, but that doesn't make plenty of people better than him. I'm willing to bet anyone that there is a person who isn't even a music major that beats coltrane but he hasn't been found by the public. The leading violinist at Julliard is 6 yrs old.
SaxophoneProductions 2 years ago
2. Coltrane is not nearly as good at soprano as Kenny G in terms of playing. do I like kenny? no. but I am humble enough to respect that he has it. coltrane only had 1 big recording on soprano. with all his publicity having one recording is a disgrace. coltrane was famous not for being a great player, more for his musical genius. he was a fantastic improviser and composer.
SaxophoneProductions 2 years ago
That's where you are incorrect...Not only was he famous for his musical genius, he was also an amazing player...about 1000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000x better than kenny g will ever be.
dordulek 2 years ago
Coltrane that is
dordulek 2 years ago
I've been playing sax probably longer than you've been alive. listen, kenny G is a VERY good player, but he is hated by much of the sax community because he only plays songs that make the most money, he played funk when it was popuar, soul, and now smooth jazz. to him its about the cash. coltrane is not nearly as popular of a player as the other sax giants. most of his legend was from composing like Mozart of the classical realm. you cant tell me the richest sax player in history is a bad player
SaxophoneProductions 2 years ago
I give u a thumbs down! Nobody is better than coltrane at anything other than not being better than coltrane
bejerama 1 year ago
3. yes kenny is a sellout and your statement is false. if you are really talented and you value money like many do, you may or may not want to sellout. you obviously haven't met him at NAMM like I have. he is probably the most talented jazz soprano in history. not to mention he held the circular breathing world record. face it, he's a peoples person. he plays what makes people happy, and he loves doing it. he really is a nice guy but he is disrespected for being a sellout. i'm not a fan though
SaxophoneProductions 2 years ago
I always heard that the champ in this area was Rahsaan:
"According to The Guinness Book of World Records, saxophone milquetoast Kenny G won the official title for the longest sustained note after a 45-minute circular-breathing performance in 1997. But those familiar with arcane jazz history know better. Rahsaan Roland Kirk played a nonstop circular-breathing sax solo for two hours and 21 minutes in front of a roomful of witnesses in a London jazz club in the early '70s."
freeport54 2 years ago 4
kenny g shouldn't even be considered a sax player. i mean he can play, but nothing as intense and awesome as this. .
Bookwormjr 2 years ago 2
listen...he plays a different style of music. from this comment i think you dont deserve to play an instrument. have respect for all styles of music. i dont care for kenny's playing either just cause it isnt my style but i still respect it
SaxophoneProductions 2 years ago
just to clarify he's using a yamaha 875ex custom and a vandoren v16 mouthpiece
he's paid by yamaha to use the sax so only buy it if you like it. the sax won't make you sound like him anyways
SaxophoneProductions 2 years ago
whats the song here?
SaxophoneProductions 2 years ago
"Donna Lee" by Charlie Parker
CARBAU57 2 years ago
Comment removed
dordulek 2 years ago
this is Donna Lee bro.
Cerpa05 2 years ago
Fabulous, what a player.
Yes it is a Yamaha Custom.
stillavril 2 years ago
fantabulous !!!
The best alto sax player on the planet !!!
vscsrg 2 years ago
totally a custom
KayMilDaCrucial 2 years ago
i think a Yahama Custom, but not really sure.
ricjai 2 years ago
@ricjai yup yami custom it is
Saxohouse 1 year ago
@ricjai yes, it is...
alesrybar 3 months ago
what sax is he playing? i mean the brand..
siwi6 2 years ago