Perhaps I have a Chinese heart inside of me!" says Kenny G,
saxophonist extraordinaire, who is coming back to
Shanghai after
five years, for a concert next week.
Although a star of yesteryear, one of the world's
biggest-selling instrumentalists has proved popular among Chinese
audiences. His concerts in Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou during
his first China tour in 2002 impressed the saxophonist.
"I found the audiences that we played for in China very
enthusiastic and our concerts were really amazing," he says.
"Walking along the Great Wall in the very cold winter was also most
memorable."
According to him, his music and the Chinese melodies are
similar. "I love Chinese melodies," says the artist who has
recorded two well-known Chinese songs, Jasmine Flower and
The Moon Represents My Heart. Ultimately I would like to
record more traditional melodies," he says.
The legendary saxophone player's close relation with China is
also illustrated by his collaboration with Chinese pop superstars
Andy Lau and Leehom Wong in their hit singles Be My Lady
and The One And Only You. He says he is open to
collaborating with other Asian artists in the future.
The instrumental artist is known for his attractive sound, which
melts emotions into the melodies. Apart from his long-standing
repertoires, he will also perform songs from his latest album
I'm in the Mood for Love released four months ago.
It is the 17th album for Kenny G, who celebrated his 50th
birthday last July, marking his 25th year as an Arista recording
artist. The world's most renowned saxophone stylist devoted his
entire album to romantic songs.
I'm in the Mood for Love ranges across nearly three
quarters of a century of music. The veteran artist pays homage to
the great 20th-century American songbook, from The Way You Look
Tonight and I'm in the Mood for Love, both written by
Dorothy Fields, to Billy Joel's Just the Way You Are and
Barbra Streisand's The Way We Were. The most recent chart
hits of the day, such as James Blunt's You're Beautiful
and Josh Groban's You Raise Me Up, are also concluded.
Since he released his debut album in 1982, Kenny G has sold more
than 75 million albums, singles and videos -- 45 million units in
the US alone.
"As an artist you're supposed to do your thing just the way you
feel it," Kenny G says. "I play saxophone the way I play saxophone.
The music that I play, that's what I feel inside."
Date: March 29, 8pm
Venue: Yunfeng Theater, 1700 Beijing Rd W.
Tickets: 480-1,280 yuan
Tel: 962-288
(Shanghai Daily March 23, 2007)
