Vol. 14 No. 1 (2023)
Articles

Revisiting Kenny G (Colloquy): Introduction - What Kenny G Can Teach Us About Jazz

Brian F. Wright
University of North Texas
Bio

Published 2023-05-30

How to Cite

Brian F. Wright. (2023). Revisiting Kenny G (Colloquy): Introduction - What Kenny G Can Teach Us About Jazz . Journal of Jazz Studies, 14(1), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.14713/jjs.v14i1.247

Abstract

Kenny G is the bestselling instrumentalist and bestselling saxophonist of all time. He is, in short, the most commercially successful artist in the history of jazz—a position that he holds despite the vehement objections of many within the jazz community. In this introductory essay, I provide an overview of the common criticisms levelled against Kenny G; I then deconstruct them and some of their underlying implications. As I argue, the popular backlash against him has much to teach us about the prevailing values of contemporary jazz discourse.