logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2024
1h 21m

How Kenny G Became the Best-Selling Inst...

Guy Raz | Wondery
About this episode

Kenny G is a Grammy Award-winning saxophonist and the top-selling instrumental artist of all time, with over 75 million record sales, and 1.5 billion streams.

Kenny joins Guy to discuss his creative journey, from being the kid who didn’t make the high school band to a global music icon. Listen to how he defied industry norms with ‘Songbird’ to make it to the Billboard chart, his approach to handling critics, and his 50-year philosophy on practice and perfection.

Check out Kenny G’s new memoir ‘Life in the Key of G.’: https://a.co/d/2TcYvwN 

Links from the Show: 

For more conversations like this – with guests ranging from Tom Hanks to Bjork to Jason Sudeikis – go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Up next
Oct 2024
Lin-Manuel Miranda on "The Idea That Wouldn't Leave Him Alone" (with 'Warriors' Co-Writer Eisa Davis)
Lin-Manuel Miranda (‘Hamilton’, ‘In The Heights’) and Eisa Davis (‘Angela’s Mixtape’, ‘Bullrusher’) are writers, performers, and collaborators who are revolutionizing hip-hop theater.In this episode, Lin and Eisa join Guy to discuss their latest creative project, ‘Warriors’, a co ... Show More
49m 51s
Dec 2024
Sylvan Esso: Their Songwriting Routines, “Hey Mami”, the Durham Scene, and Creative Surprises
Ten years ago, Nick Sanborn & Amelia Meath (Sylvan Esso) exploded onto the indie music scene with their unique electro-pop sound and mysterious aura.Since then, they’ve played some of the biggest stages in the world and have even created their own record label in their adopted ho ... Show More
39m 55s
Dec 2024
Ron Howard: Reinventing Himself After Child Fame, Henry Fonda’s Advice, and His New Sydney Sweeney Film 'Eden'
Ron Howard, the Oscar-winning director behind films like 'Apollo 13' and 'A Beautiful Mind,' sits down with Guy to discuss his remarkable journey from child actor to Hollywood heavyweight. Ron’s latest documentary – “Jim Henson: Idea Man” – about the creator of the Muppets, is av ... Show More
1h 1m
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2024
Nile Rodgers
Nile Rodgers is one of the most successful and influential figures in popular music. As a songwriter, producer and arranger he has enjoyed a 50 year career with his bands Chic and Sister Sledge, and collaborations with artists including Diana Ross, David Bowie, Duran Duran, Madon ... Show More
43m 11s
Jun 11
#Throwback Episode - w/ Kenny Anderson | (Ep. 18)
N.O.R.E. & DJ EFN are the Drink Champs and we're taking it back to some of the most legendary moments in Drink Champs history Classic interviews, unforgettable stories, and iconic guests who shaped the culture. In this classic throwback episode of Drink Champs, N.O.R.E. and DJ EF ... Show More
1h 12m
Mar 2023
DJ QUIK | Ep 173 | ALL THE SMOKE Full Episode | SHOWTIME Basketball
On the latest episode of ALL THE SMOKE, one of the most revered figures in rap since his early-'90s debut, DJ Quik, sits down with Matt and Stak to reflect on his career. The legendary producer and rapper discusses how he broke onto the musical scene, and shares epic stories from ... Show More
1h 44m
Nov 2024
Anoushka Shankar: It's a Vibe
[Replay] In honor of her recent Grammy nomination, listen back to this excellent episode with sitar maestro Anoushka Shankar about her long and storied career in music, including the thrill of performing live--especially after the pandemic. (This conversation was recorded in 2022 ... Show More
40m 3s
Apr 2023
Game changers with Gaye Su Akyol, Dana Colley, Marc Ribot and Via Mardot
Gaye Su Akyol, Dana Colley, Marc Ribot and Via Mardot discuss who they would most like to collaborate with, how they deal with the politics of the industry, and which musician or band has been a game changer in their lives.Gaye Su Akyol was born in Istanbul to an artistic family. ... Show More
25m 16s
Jul 2024
George Benson
George Benson examines his transition from a top Jazz guitarist into a highly respected vocalist. He shares the origin stories behind several 1970s hits like "Breezin" and "On Broadway" plus recalls working with Stevie Wonder, Bobby Womack, and Al Jarreau. George also discusses h ... Show More
53m 50s
Dec 2020
61. The Paintings of Miles Davis, with Jo Gelbard
Nearly 30 years after the death of jazz legend Miles Davis, Jo Gelbard — his painting teacher, collaborator, and companion in the final seven years of his life — holds onto 12 of the intense, abstract paintings that they created together.   Jo's book, "Miles and Jo: Love Story in ... Show More
37m 50s
May 2020
Whitney Houston: Whitney's Billboard Run Contains Multitudes
It's hard to underestimate Whitney Houston’s stardom. For better and for worse, the world knows so much more about the late diva than we do about most artists from her era. Houston's meteoric rise would eventually place her own personal life under a microscope, and it&#39 ... Show More
33m 8s
Nov 2024
In the Studio: Brian Eno
Legendary musician, composer and producer Brian Eno has turned his attention to the climate crisis. In 2021 he founded the ground-breaking organisation EarthPercent, a charity which aims to raise $100m by 2030. The money - from royalties of partner artists - is being used to redu ... Show More
26m 19s
Jul 2024
Sam Wooding and His Orchestra - 1929 sides from Barcelona and Paris
The peripatetic Mr. Wooding led bands in New York in the early 1920's, but left in 1925 to begin a world tour touching Berlin, Paris, Moscow, Scandinavia and even Argentina for the next ten years. His group (which initially accompanied the show Chocolate Dandies) was highly i ... Show More
59m 17s