Kenny G has had one of the most
eclectic and dominant careers the music business has ever seen. He’s maintained
a high level of creative excellence through decades of unprecedented commercial
success by never allowing himself to stay in one place too long. That
reputation for musical curiosity stays well intact on his fourteenth studio
album Brazilian Nights, set for release on January 27th, 2015 via Concord
Records. Pre-order the album here: http://found.ee/KGBrazilAmazon
“I’ve
been in love with bossa nova my whole life,” says the saxophonist in the
album’s liner notes. “I think the first song that ‘won me over’ was Cannonball
Adderley’s version of “Quiet Nights”. And more recently I’ve been listening
(non-stop!) to Stan Getz’s album called Getz For Lovers. I think I've listened
to that record almost every day for the past 5 years and it really was the
inspiration in making this album. My goal was not only to make a bossa nova
album that pays tribute to the “Masters” who I’ve been listening to (Cannonball
Adderley, Paul Desmond and Stan Getz) but also to write and record original
bossa novas that I hope can ‘hold their own’ in this distinguished company. I
humbly say that I feel we’ve succeeded.”
Starting
with melodious sounds of “Bossa Antiqua,” the ten-song set is a mixture of
classics and Kenny G originals. Writing five of the ten tracks with longtime
collaborator (and co-producer) Walter Afanasieff, the veteran performer plays
alto, tenor and soprano sax and is dazzling on such cuts as “Bossa Real, ”the
gently pulsating “April Rain,” and the relaxed yet dramatic flair of the title
cut.
He
admits that he took his time making Brazilian Nights, as he wanted to immerse
himself into the light and melodic sounds of music from across the globe. “I
spent a year and a half studying and embracing the style of the bossa novas
from decades ago. I had fun and learned a lot during my "wonderful labor
of love” and I truly hope you get the same pleasure from this album that I have
experienced when I sit down after a long day and put on my “bossa nova” sounds.
Words can’t describe that feeling but hopefully the melodies that I’ve played
here will.”
Melodies
and music have long been a signature part of Kenny G’s life. Since releasing
his self-titled debut disc in the fall of 1982, Kenny G has become the biggest
selling instrumental musicians of the modern era and one of the best selling
artists of all-time with global sales totaling more than 75 million
records. His biggest album was 1992’s
Breathless – which sold a staggering twelve million copies in the United States
alone. In addition, his 1994 Christmas disc Miracles: The Holiday Album ranks
as one of the most successful Yuletide albums ever – with sales over eight
million copies. Seven of his singles have hit the Top-40 on the Billboard Hot
100. He has also been ranked as one of the most-played artists in the Adult
Contemporary format – with nine top ten singles. His biggest hit came with
1987’s “Songbird,” which peaked at #4 on the Hot 100. Kenny G continues to play
to sold out houses both here and abroad, with dates on his calendar already
filled through mid-2015.
Kenny G
has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the business during his
legendary career, ranging from Michael Bolton to Weezer to Whitney Houston. He
recently worked with pop superstar Katy Perry on her single “Last Friday
Night.”
Track
Listing for Brazilian Nights:
Bossa
Antigua
Corcovado
(Quiet Nights For Quiet Stars)
Bossa
Réal
Brazilian
Nights
April
Rain
Menina
Moca
Bu
Bossa
Clouds
Girl
from Ipanema
Summer
Love
Kenny G
Upcoming Tour Dates:
October
30 / New York, NY @ Blue Note
October
31 / New York, NY @ Blue Note
November
1 / New York, NY @ Blue Note
November
2 / New York, NY @ Blue Note
November
15 / Colomno, Sri Lanka @ Royal Complex
November
16 / Bangkok, Thailand @ River Jazz Festival
November
20 / Johannesburg, SA @ Coca Cola Dome
December
4 / Baltimore, MD @ Lyric Opera House
December
5 / Dover, DE @ Dover Downs Hotel and Casino
December
7 / Durham, NC @ Durham PAC
December
9 / Orlando, FL @ The Plaza Live
December
11 / Ft Lauderdale, FL @ Parker Playhouse
December
12 / Clearwater, FL @ Ruth Eckerd Hall
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