Spotlight: The Joy of Sax - An Interview with Kenny G

Thursday, December 18

It was a quiet day around the office. I was looking at a pile of Freedom of Information requests that were at various stages of being ignored by governmental agencies when the phone rang. The voice on the other end claimed to be Grammy Award winning artist Kenny G—the smooth jazz saxophonist whose instrumental arrangements have been captured on no fewer than five Christmas albums over the years. The receptionist put him on hold. Word spread that Kenny G was on the phone, and did anybody want to interview him? “Yeah,” I thought, “like Kenny G is just gonna cold call the alternative weekly in Buffalo, NY, begging for an interview.”

What the heck, I’m always game to talk to a crackpot on a slow news day, so I picked up the blower. What follows is an excerpt from that interview.

AV: Hello.
KG: Yeah, hey, Kenny G calling. How are you?
AV: Hi, Kenny. I’m doing OK, how about you?
KG: I’m good. I know this is kind of unannounced, but I have a note here to call about doing an interview for my show that’s coming up. Is this a good time to call?
AV: Actually, I’m pretty busy at the moment. (pause) But I can talk for a little while.
KG: Sure, let’s knock it out. (pause)
AV: What do you want to talk about?
KG: Well, I’m playing there on the 18th of December.
AV: And this is part of a tour you’re doing?
KG: Yeah, we’re just finishing up our year. It’s a tour where we do a lot of holiday songs. Well, it’s not all holiday songs, but maybe half the set is holiday songs.
AV: Do you have like a holiday release that this is in connection with?
KG: I’ve had many holiday releases, but not this year. I have a Latin album that I released earlier this year. It’s doing really well—got nominated for a couple of Latin Grammies.
AV: Cool. What kind of a band do you tour with?
KG: There are six of us. Same guys I’ve been touring with for almost 20 years.
AV: And I could probably find that info on your Web site?
KG: Well, there’s my bio on my Web site. KennyG.com. My online store opened up yesterday. I’m pretty excited about that. You can buy saxophones there.
AV: Really?
KG: Yeah. You can buy golf balls, mugs, t-shirts, autographed CDs, all sorts of cool stuff. I’ve been trying to come up with some great products.
AV: Tell me about the saxophones.
KG: My saxophones. KG saxophones.
AV: Is that in connection with a particular manufacturer?
KG: No. I’m doing it from scratch. Designed it from scratch and it’s made specifically to the specs. I’ve got a partner who actually lives in China where they’re made. I wanted them made in China, but wanted to make sure the quality is what I wanted. My partner lives at some factory three hours south of Beijing. And he sits there and waits for the saxes to come off the line to make sure they’re perfect.
AV: Wow.
KG: It’s an exciting business. I think we’re making the best saxophones out there. ‘Cause I’ve played saxophone all my life and I think I know what they should sound like.
AV: Do you have an entire line of them?
KG: Yeah. There’s a pro model that’s more expensive. There’s a student model that’s less expensive. The truth is, they’re both very similar, but just like with a car, there are more bells and whistles on the pro model.
AV: Is that the one you play?
KG: Well, no. I’ve played the same saxophone I’ve played since I was a kid. But I used my saxophone as a prototype. My saxophone was made in the ‘50s, and they did certain things then that they don’t do now. So I’m trying to get that manufacturing process back. For example, the combination of the metal—there’s copper and brass. They’ve “improved” the combination over the years, but in my opinion, I love the saxophone I play. So I’ve also tried to imitate the old “bore” for example. All these things make a difference.
AV: Years back...do I recall correctly...you had like a...
KG: World record?
AV: Yeah. Does everybody ask you that?
KG: No, but the way you were asking...yes. I got a world record for the longest note.
AV: Is that called “circular breathing”?
KG: Exactly! It’s a technique where you breathe in your nose and out of your mouth. It’s a technique. I’m not born with anything weird that allows me to do it.
AV: And you don’t suffocate?
KG: I don’t suffocate. I’m breathing. The hard part is just muscles. Like, lip muscles. At my concert I do it. And in the middle of the concert I explain how I do it and give people a demonstration of it. People enjoy that.

You can catch multi-platinum selling recording artist KG performing his Holiday Show and his super-human note-blowing at Shea’s Performing Arts Center this Thursday, December 18, at 7:30. Tickets are $55, $65 & $100.

—buck quigley

Thursday, December 18

Silver Beats

When the Beatles landed in New York in 1964, the hoopla was described as “the British Invasion.” But America was not the only country being “attacked” by the youthful English rockers who would—in six short years—forever change the world of popular music. Take for example the band’s trip to Japan in 1966, when they were sequestered in their hotel rooms before their live appearance at the Nippon Budokan Hall. A militant group made threats against them for performing at the venue that had previously been reserved for displays of traditional Japanese martial arts. Their reception in Japan was described as the “Beatles Typhoon.” All this being said, it should come as no surprise that one of the best Beatles tribute bands of all time hails from Tokyo, and they’re called the Silver Beats. They’re no strangers to packed American houses like Madison Square Garden, where they appeared as openers for the Killers in 2007. It turns out that two of the members will be taking a break from their current US tour to hang in Buffalo for a few days, so Tadaaki Naganuma (Paul) and Hajime Kubo (George) will be joined next Thursday (Dec. 18) by noted local rockers Geno McManus playing the role of John, and Howard Wilson on drums as Ringo. How fun is that?

10pm. Pearl Street Grill & Brewery, 76 Pearl St. (856-2337 / www.pearlstreetgrill.com) $4

Thursday, December 18

Media Arts Regrant Screening

“PAST & PRESENT: WORK BY LOCAL MEDIA ARTISTS.” On Thursday (Dec. 18), the beautiful Riviera Theatre in Tonawanda hosts a screening of works by seven local media artists, all of them funded through the Carnegie Art Center in 2006 and 2007 via NYSCA’s Electronic Media and Film program. The films to be screened are Mark Barner’s Discovering Youngstown, New York: A Walk Through Time; Holly Johnson & Meg Knowles’ See That the World is Moving; Howard Kim’s The Carousel Makers; the Lewiston Council on the Arts’ Josiah’s Crossing and R. Nathaniel Dett; Julie Perini’s Suffragette Slasher (pictured below is a still from that work); Stephen Powell’s War on the Niagara: Part I; and Seth Wochensky’s The Last of the Scoopers. The media range from straightforward documentary film work to experimental work and claymation.

—geoff kelly

7pm. Riviera Theater, 67 Webster Street (692.2413 / www.rivieratheatre.org). $6, $5 seniors, $2 students 12 and under children.

Friday, December 19

Spare the Saucies

This Friday (Dec. 19) the Suicidal Saucies of the Queen City Roller Girls roller derby league will be holding a fundraising event at Kenmore Lanes. There will be bowling, raffles and more. For those who have not been to a QCRG match, you are missing out. These girls fearlessly speed around the oval track, smashing and bashing one another to the ground while jockeying for position. Proceeds form Friday’s benefit will be used to cut into equipment and participation costs, as these athletes have to pay to play. The event will be hosted by the Saucies, with team members such as Alley Oops, Kelly Ka-POW-ski, and Ammit the Destroyer there to sell raffle tickets, hand out trophies, and mingle with the crowd. Just watch how you talk to them: These roller girls may be cute, but every one of them is tough as nails. One off remark, and you could end up on your ass.

—justin sondel

7-10pm. Kenmore Lanes, 1691 Kenmore Ave. $7.50 includes three games & shoe rental. Visit www.qcrg.net for more info

Friday, December 12

Longwave

This Friday (Dec. 19), Brooklyn based indie-rockers Longwave will take the stage at Mohawk Place. This will be a sort of homecoming for guitarist Steve Schiltz ,who is originally from Rochester. The band burst onto the indie scene in NY in 1999 with the help of Luna Lounge owner Rob Sacher, who made them into his house band. Longwave soon found themselves playing and hanging out with bands such as the Vines and the Strokes. Longwave is currently touring to support the release of their new album Secrets Are Sinister. On a blog on chewinggumfortheears.com the new album was described as a “solid rock record of arena-sized proportions.” The blogger then writes, “While the band adds the occasional keyboard flourish or digital programming, the wall of guitars, thundering bass, and gunfire drumming do all the talking here.” Longwave will be joined by fellow indie-rockers the Silent Years and Bela’s Shadow. Head on down for an evening of head-ratting rock.

—justin sondel

8pm. Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St. $12 (mohawkplace.com)

Friday, December 19

A Festivus For The Rest of Us

The holiday festivities at Nietzsche’s begin on Friday (Dec. 19), with Rick Smith’s Annual Christmas Show featuring special guests the Frankincense & Myrrh Toters. Following that country-western flavored happy hour will be an evening of hip hop courtesy of Deep Thinka Records, called “A Festivus For the Rest of Us.” The show will feature Billy Drease Williams (pictured) & the Dope 45 Band, Kinda Like Dreamin’, and Type: Relevant with H2O (Visit www.DTR45.com for more info). And the music at this bar won’t stop this week, not for snow or for Santa: The festivities continue on Saturday with McCarthyizm’s Annual X-Mas Benefit show, and Nietzsche’s will be even be open on the 25th, for a Christmas Party with Tina Crapsi & Friends.

10pm.Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St. $7. Ages 21+

Friday, December 19 - Sunday, December 21

“Annie” Holiday Food Drive

Leapin’ Lizards, America! Are we heading back into a depression? The timeless tale of musical theater’s favorite diminutive redhead, Little Orphan Annie, will be presented at Shea’s this weekend on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (Dec. 19-21) as a special holiday engagement in the 2008-2009 Broadway Season. What can we, as a society, learn from this classic tale about “never giving up hope during hard times”? For starters, we can save $5 off the ticket price with the donation of a non-perishable food item at Shea’s Ticket Office. These donations will benefit community organizations Catholic Charities, Friends of Night People, and Hispanics United of Buffalo. Donation barrels will also be stationed inside the theater, to accept additional offerings. It may be a “hard knock life” for us in the coming year, but at some point the sun will come out. Tomorrow.

8pm Friday; 1 & 6:30pm Saturday; 1:30pm Sunday. Shea’s Performing Arts Center, 646 Main St. (847-1410 / www.sheas.org). $27-$55 at box office, Ticketmaster.

Saturday, December 20

Harvest Sum Acoustic X-mas

The Buffalo-based music collective Harvest Sum will celebrate Christmas with some rock and roll, but “No amps please!” Harvest Sum’s Acoustic Xmas will see the stage of Mohawk Place filled with short sets and holiday merriment. Formed in 2003 with aim to create, promote and further the musical endeavors of those WNY musicians making what it deemed “the right kind of music for the right reasons,” Harvest Sum’s loose association of artists continues to grow. After 13 widely stylistically varied and mostly critically acclaimed self-released recordings—most of them cut at the label’s homebase buried in the Orchard Park woods—the imprint continues to put its stamp on the kind of music and musicians it believes in. 2008 saw the imprint yield releases by garage popsters Roger Bryan & the Orphans, experimental art rockers Besnyo, and wonderfully idiosyncratic singer/songwriter Nick Gordon, all of whom will be represented at the Acoustic Xmas show. Special guests Two Cow Garage are supporting their latest release Speaking In Cursive (Suburban Home) which has garnered them some of their finest reviews to date

—gore petersen

7pm. Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St. (mohawkplace.com) $6. Presented by Town Ballroom, www.townballroom.com)

Tuesday, December 16

McCarthyizm Annual X-mas Benefit

Spread some holiday cheer while having a good time by showing up to Nietzsche’s this Saturday night (Dec. 20) with some clothes or canned goods. The Allen St. establishment will hold a concert to benefit Friends of Night People, a not-for-profit organization located just a few blocks up Wadsworth that provides food, clothing, and medical care for those in need. Two stages will be taken over by bands such as McCarthyizm, A Potters Field, the Ifs, Mini Motor Punch, Paul Weisenburger, Michael Meldrum, and Poor Ould Goat. Those who come bearing gifts will not be charged a cover. Don’t be stingy and buy the cheapest canned good available. No one wants to eat chopped clams in water. But come on out to give and receive some holiday cheer. Who knows, perhaps philanthropy can help prevent hangovers...

—justin sondel

8pm. Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St. Admission is free with the donation of a non-perishable food item

Saturday, December 20

Silent Night Unholy Night

Have crowded malls given you hair-pulling anxiety? Has the constant stream of Christmas music been giving you fits of rage? Perhaps you need a chance to release some of that pent up holiday aggression. On Saturday (Dec. 20), Club Diablo will be hosting a 13 band metal marathon entitled “Silent Night, Unholy Night Winter Bash.” Headlining the afternoon show will be Misery Index, a Baltimore, MD, death metal band with hardcore punk and grindcore influences. Not only do these rockers shred, but their lyrics carry a message of social critique in the anarcho-punk vein. Misery Index has been around since 2001, gaining much recognition in the metal scene and having the chance to tour globally. For three of the other bands (Avulsion, Victim of Sunday, and Unholy Sacrifice) this event will also serve as a CD release party. The other bands to play the show will be: BLAST, Seize the Soul, Siege A.D., He the Hero (Syracuse), Perfidious Doom, Until This Day, Kingdom Denied, The Discordance (Rochester), and Calamity From the Skies. Sometimes a little unholiness can do you good during the holidays

—justin sondel

2pm. Club Diablo, 517 Washington St.