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Written by Steffani Anderson-Smith
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Saturday, 26 July 2008 |
 Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
Indio, California
July 25, 2008
Written by Steffani Anderson-Smith
Photos by John Garber
Smooth sounding saxophones, curly long hair – what else can a gal ask for on her way out of town? My eyes take a moment to adjust from the blaring sun and muggy weather… oh my gosh! Kenny G is in the lobby – signing autographs and having a little face to face with the audience before the show! Wow an artist who is personable. The houselights go dim – the stage lights up red and blue – and everyone is looking to see Kenny G – the reason we all came tonight. A spotlight scans the audience and there he is walking through the crowds playing his sax – the women go CRAZY!!! While no pictures were allowed before the show or during, for that matter – cell phone cameras and point and shoots are flashing left and right – People cannot believe they are standing right next to him! Tonight at the Special Events Center at Fantasy Springs Resort and Casino fans were delighted with Kenny G. This was a real treat to go to a ‘jazz’ concert that wasn’t a glorified jam session for huge egos. Kenny knows actual songs and plays melodies – you can hear your favorites – and not wonder what the hell was just being played. This was very refreshing.
 He starts off the concert with old favorites- Silhouette and then
Songbird – and holds a note for a very long time – which impresses the
audience – although I find it somewhat annoying – hey I still haven’t
cooled off enough – and am a tad bit grouchy. The theater and the cool
notes being offered up by the G-man cool me down soon enough to enjoy
the rest of the show. Havana was played from the Paradise album I
believe, pretty incredible stuff – band member, Ron Powell is on
percussion – and he rocks the house with his Caribbean beats. Handsome
and athletic – and damn talented – a few ladies down in front want to
take him home with them – I am wondering if I can get in on this too.
Kenny G engages the ladies in banter about the size of Tom’s whistle
verses the size of his horn – and the different sets of muscles used to
play each instrument – and shows a ‘picture’ of his head on a very hot
body – and the ladies change their minds on whom they would prefer to
take home.
Kenny announces that he has a new line of saxophones he has designed
and had made – which go on sale this week- and tells the audience that
for a purchase of two items at the concession stands of either T-Shirts
and Hats or CDs – they will be placed in a drawing to win a brand new
saxophone played by him tonight during the show. This begins a flurry
of sales out front and in the concert. This is a great opportunity for
all those gamblers out there – for about a $50.00 purchase – you get a
chance to win a saxophone which probably go for around $1,500.00 -
$2,00.00 these days – that Kenny himself has played – for you – live –
tonight! Think of the E-Bay value!
The band is introduced – and what a fine group of players they are –
Robert Damper on piano – has been with Kenny G since high school days –
they have traveled the world together since then – from the Grammy’s –
Soul Train Awards – all the way to the White House! Robert Damper’s
solo on Besamé Mucho (from the new CD) is remarkable. Vail Johnson is
the bass player with much heart – a Swede – that can really make the
bass guitar sing. (He has CDs of his own out.) Drummer, Daniel
Bejarano, is the new comer to the group – and if no one had been told
this – you would think he had been with the group forever. Guitarist
John Raymond has been with Kenny for 25 years – and is also a very
talented player… however I have to agree with the gals up front – that
Ron Powell steals the show with his percussion skills – who knew a
tambourine could do that!?!
Selling over 75 million records – Kenny shows up typical jazz musicians
– who while they are talented players – they do not come close to his
successful career. Kenny G’s career took off with the release of his
fourth album, Duotones which included the hit, Songbird. His fifth
album was Breathless which according to his website “is the biggest
selling instrumental record in US history.” Another great seller is his
holiday album, Miracles. I have all three of these CDs in my
collection. His Miracles CD holds the title of “all time best selling
holiday record” – and it is a great addition for you folks lacking good
Christmas music.
I think this new CD – Rhythm and Romance will be another best selling
CD – It fills the air with joy and samba music – it is a must have –
and probably the best thing Kenny G has produced in many years! The
band plays Rhythm and Romance, Saxoloco and Besamé Mucho from the CD
and you can immediately tell – this will be sold out tonight at the
concession stands. Great Job Mr. G!
The excitement is building as Kenny reaches his hand into the fishbowl
with all the raffle tickets in it – the house lights are brought up-
and he picks numbers 2 – 4 – 8 – 6 – 9 – 7 – 3 … anybody? Finally, a
shy young man gets up and goes to the front of the stage – where he was
invited to claim his saxophone. Kenny tells him the stairs are around
to the side of the stage – but excitement takes this young man – right
up the middle of the stage – and he hops up to make his claim. They
look at his winning ticket and indeed – he is the winner. Kenny’s
roadies bring the young man a chair –so that he may enjoy the solo
Kenny is going to play him. We find out the young winner’s name is Ivan
- and Kenny asks him if he has someone to hear him play this song – as
it is very romantic – Ivan says no- and a young gal leaps onto the
stage to take her seat next to Ivan- She’s a loaner. I think this
really embarrassed Ivan – but he was a very good sport and enjoyed the
solo and the saxophone!
The band plays on into the evening – and plays “What a Wonderful World”
by Louis Armstrong – the audience goes nuts and nearly rise to their
feet. The audience is happy they bought the tickets – and that’s what
concerts are all about – being glad you spent your hard earned money to
enjoy an artist you love. Kenny G may be the musician jazz musicians
love to hate – his audience loves him – and he is personable – and
frankly – that’s why I go to concerts. He and his band members even
signed autographs after the show.
Kenny has twenty-nine albums and one DVD of videos. Three cover CDs;
Classics in the Key of G, At Last, the Duets & Most Romantic of All
Time. Seven or eight of these twenty-nine albums are major hits. His
three Holiday albums and the remaining are original CDs. It appears
that Clive Davis and Artista Records are wanting to only re record
former hits - Kenny broke his 25 year ties with Artista and went with
Starbucks Entertainment and Concord Records for his latest release –
Rhythm and Romance - his first Latin Jazz CD. With the rise of
acceptance of the Latino culture in our country – it seems like a good
bet for Mr. Gorelick to place. I hope it pays off in a ton o’chips for
you Kenny G.
Thanks to Kenny G for a wonderfully melodic evening. Great acoustics in
the Special Events Theater – could use some better chairs though.
Thanks to Fantasy Springs Resort Casino for a swell venue and keep bringing in the stars that shine so bright.
For more fantastic photos of Kenny G by John Garber, click here.
Kenny G’s Official Web Site, click here.
To check for up coming events at Fantasy Springs, click here.
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Steffani Anderson-Smith |
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 31 July 2008 )
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