Posts Tagged ‘Kenny G’

Throwback Thursday

Thursday, July 16th, 2015
Gregory Porter at Jazz Fest

Gregory Porter at Jazz Fest

This Throwback Thursday post is all about Fantastic Friday. The first night of 33rd Annual Syracuse Jazz Fest is tomorrow,and if history is any indicator, you just can’t sleep on the splashes of surprise and brilliance that those opening night’s provide.

These photos are from a memorable Friday night at Jazz Fest 2012 (when the event was held at Jamesville Beach). Kenny G seemed to appear magically in the middle of the crowd that night, then marched toward the stage playing with harmonic precision. And of course, as we’ve stated before, the Porter debut in CNY was one of our favorite Jazz Fest performances ever. He sang so good we could almost couldn’t stand it.

We can’t wait for the surprises Frank Malfitano and his staff have up their sleeve tomorrow. Remember last year on Friday when Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Trombone Shorty provided a healthy slice of New Orleans at Jazz Fest?

Kenny G at Jazz Fest

Kenny G at Jazz Fest

Art of Photography (part 23)

Thursday, July 16th, 2015
For this 33rd edition of the Art of Photography we give you a throwback from the 2009 Jazz Festival. Here a fan snaps a picture of Kenny G as he signs autographs. Check the flip phone and the steady hand. The 33rd Annual Jazz Fest kicks off tomorrow at OCC.

Here’s a throwback from the 2009 Jazz Festival.  A fan snaps a picture of Kenny G as he signs autographs. Check out the flip phone and steady hand.   The 33rd Annual Jazz Fest kicks off tomorrow at OCC. We’ll post photos as they become available.

Nobody Knows My Name

Sunday, June 24th, 2012
Jazz Singer Gregory Porter, Soul to the Bone

Jazz Singer Gregory Porter, Soul to the Bone

Saxophone-legend Kenny G may have been the headliner for the first night of Syracuse Jazz Fest on Friday, but Grammy-nominated vocalist Gregory Porter stole the show.

A self-described preachers kid, Gregory impressed those in attendance at Jamesville Beach with songs such as Be Good, On My Way to Harlem, and Mother’s Song.  These Sophistasoultastic cuts conjure up images of the Cosby Show of the 80s, Spike Lee’s early films and even the choreography of Garth Fagan.

His song-writing is vivid and his performance high spirited.

To call Porter a jazz singer may be restrictive. His mature and robust sound may be jazz, but it’s corseted in soul and the cadence of his church rearing.

Gregorty Porter, a singer's singer

Gregory Porter, a singer’s singer

Some singers are vanguards.  Nat had it. Donny had it. Ray had it. Sam had it. Stevie has it and yes Porter too, has that vibe of a pioneer.

Jazz Fest Producer Frank Malfitano even said he was one of the most talented jazz singers of the last 3 decades.

During the finale Porter mesmerized the crowd with 1960 What, a homage to cities such as Detroit. Coincidentally,  Malfitano used to produce that city’s Jazz Fest.

New fans showered Porter with appreciation during an impromptu meet-and-greet beside the stage following his set. Many shared their disbelief that they weren’t familiar with this man.

From now on his reputation in Syracuse is all good.

Return of the Record-Breaker

Saturday, June 23rd, 2012
Kenny G onstage at Syracuse Jazz Fest (30th Anniversary)

Kenny G at Syracuse Jazz Fest (30th Anniversary)

Kenny G made a return to Syracuse last night for Jazz Fest. The Festival, produced by Frank Malfitano, is celebrating 30 years. G is a crowd favorite and helped pack the crowd in at Jamesville Beach (a new venue this year). Besides being a best-selling smooth jazz artist, he is known for his long notes (he made it to the Guinness Book a few years ago).

Musician among the people: Kenny G plays in the audience last night

Musician among the people: Kenny G plays in the audience last night

. His next gig is tonight at the Hampton Jazz Fest in Virginia.

Hold On: Kenny G holds a note as he walks through the crowd at Jazz Fest to kick off his set on Saturday night.

Hold On: Kenny G holds a note as he walks through the crowd at Jazz Fest to kick off his set on Saturday night.

Kenneth & Kenny: Watching one, Listening to the other

Thursday, July 2nd, 2009
Kenny G 2009 Syracuse Jazz Fest

Kenny G JazzFest 2009

I had the opportunity to cover the 2009 Syracuse Jazz Fest at OCC last week and see Spyro Gyra and Kenny Gorelick (aka Kenny G.)  I’m familiar with some of Gorelick’s work, and maybe my favorite cut is “Hi! How Ya Doin, ” which was produced by Kashif.  If you check out the video, you can see Kenny G before he had the long curly hair and you can even see his dance moves.

What I didn’t know about Kenny G is that he has sold over 50 million albums, he started out playing with Barry White’s Love Unlimited Orchestra and his wife is photographer Lyndie Benson.

Before Kenny G took the stage I had a wonderful conversation for the Jazz Fest’s piano tuner Kenneth Williams back stage. I know Williams from a previous job and we’ve had brief conversations about his vision (he’s legally blind) his hearing (he has what he calls “good relative pitch.”) and his love of music (he doesn’t own a piano but he is actually a trumpet player).

Kenneth Williams, piano tuner

Kenneth Williams, piano tuner

Williams is a jovial personality who does some of the best impressions I’ve heard outside of Hollywood. He does a great John Wayne, Pearl Bailey and Jimmy Stewart. I asked him how long would he continue to work (he’s been a piano technician and tuner for longer than I’ve been alive).  I’m never going to retire, he said. I’m having too much fun.