The night Kenny G changed my life
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ต.ค. 2024
- While touring with Snarky Puppy, I had the opportunity to revisit a concert venue that holds a special place in my history as a musician.
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Bob Reynolds is an American jazz saxophonist and 2x Grammy Award-winning member of Snarky Puppy. He's toured with John Mayer, Larry Carlton, and many others and released 12 solo albums-4 of which reached the Top 10 in Billboard's Jazz Charts. A pioneering educator, Bob has coached thousands of musicians through his innovative Virtual Studio. He is a D'Addario Woodwinds artist, amateur surfer, and popular TH-cam vlogger. He lives with his wife and kids in Los Angeles, CA.
“A self-assured saxophonist and an unassuming yet effective composer…”
NEW YORK TIMES
“…Reynolds flexes an assured hand with melding hip-swiveling jazz and funk as a bandleader.”
LA TIMES
“Some of the freshest, most compelling, and most soulful music I have heard recently. Bob Reynolds is an amazing musician, with something very exciting and original to say.”
Joshua Redman, Grammy-nominated saxophonist
“Bob is one hell of a saxophonist! His sound is rich and his execution is effortless.”
Michael Brecker, Grammy-winning saxophonist
LONGER BIO
Saxophonist Bob Reynolds is an in-demand jazz performer, educator, and sideman, as well as a Grammy Award-winning member band Snarky Puppy. Born in Morristown, New Jersey in 1977, Reynolds grew up in Jacksonville, Florida, where he first started playing saxophone at age 13. Although he listened to a range of music as a kid, by his late teens he was a dedicated jazz student. After high school he honed his skills at Boston's Berklee College of Music, where he mentored with George Garzone, Hal Crook, and others. As a leader, he debuted with 2000's The Bob Reynolds Quartet, followed by 2006's Can't Wait for Perfect. That same year, he joined fellow Berklee alum John Mayer's band and spent the next five years with the pop star, touring and appearing on such albums as 2008's Where the Light Is and 2009's Battle Studies.
In 2013, he returned to his solo work with Somewhere in Between, which reached number one on digital jazz charts. He then made his Snarky Puppy debut appearing on the genre-bending group's 2014 effort, We Like It Here. Two years later he was back with Snarky Puppy for the Grammy Award-winning Culcha Vulcha. In 2017, Reynolds delivered the EP Guitar Band, which featured appearances from Kneebody bassist Kaveh Rastegar as well as fellow Snarky Puppy members Robert "Sput" Searight (drums) and Mark Lettieri (guitar). In 2018 he began touring with 4-time Grammy-winning guitar legend Larry Carlton. He also released the albums Hindsight and Quartet which both landed in the top 10 of Billboard's Jazz charts. A passionate educator, he cofounded an annual summer retreat for adult saxophonists called the Inside:Outside Retreat and he's coached thousands of musicians through his Virtual Studio, a ground-breaking web-based teaching platform he built and has operated since 2010.
#kennyg #snarkypuppy #bobreynolds
I saw Kenny G along with Grover Washington and Michael Brecker at the Cincinnati Music Hall around 1988. His improvisation blew me away. Not what I expected. Stood right beside me in the aisle ( kinda like you described Bob). Nothing like what was in his smooth jazz albums. I saw him again at the Rose in Dayton, Ohio 30 years later and was completely taken back by his incredible Improvisation and circular breathing. He has continuously improved over the years.. Like nothing I have ever heard and I have been listening to jazz for over 50 years. His live Improvisational performance was nothing like I had heard on his albums. His band was super tight. Each player excellent in their own right.. People seem to put Kenny G in a certain category which I think is unfair. He is a great player and very tasteful improviser and has made a significant impact on my playing. Thanks for the video Bob and for sharing your knowledge.
Kenny G is no joke, he can play. Smooth jazz isn't my bag but he's been very successful doing it and has made a shed load of money.
Thank you for the 'courage' for posting this.
We might be remiss to not recognize that giving Mr. G props within the context of 'hipness' or 'purist' attitudes could be seen as selling out.
The truth is for me personally, Kenny G was a hero for a high school music nerd like myself. He gave me - and others like me - a sense of acceptance when playing an instrument was not seen as 'cool'.
Thanks again for posting this shared memory.
I forgot to add:
I also had a Kenny G concert experience.
My best friend in high school, who also played saxophone, and I drove 3 hours one way (and back that night) from northern Michigan to the Detroit area to see him give a concert.
He also walked through the crowd playing on a wireless mic but unfortunately didn't come as close to us as to you.
Great memories!
Everyone including myself used to slag KG off at Uni for being cheesy etc. Many years later while enjoying a foot massage in thailand KG was on the stereo and i found myself drifting off listening to him in an extreme state of relaxedness. So i bought a best of CD and occasionally enjoy relaxing to his soft warm sound.
Thanks for sharing Bob.
Yeap, the "courage".
Why in the hell would you say a sax is not cool? What kind of place did you come from? Sax is the coolest instrument possible where I am from
@@ericsaxx4967 he said playing an instrument was not seen as cool. When i was at school it was also seen as nerdy!
Seen Kenny several times, and I know many "Pure Jazz" artists can be pretty harsh on him, which I've never really understood. I'm no where in the same league, but I'll jump off stage with the showband that I play with, and you can just watch the audience go wild. Sometimes I feel musicians forget that they are entertainers. Thank you Bob for your music, and for having the "Brass Balls" for posting! (or woodwind balls...lol) Love your music!
@Will Morgan cant stand random fans acting like artists should be beholden to their personal opinions, its kinda gross.
Bob!!!! Yeah bro I remember those days!!!
Great story Bob, thanks for sharing and it's always a treat to see one of your vlogs!
Thanks, Jay :)
This is further proof that you are so much more than just an incredibly talented and hard-working musician. Thank you for sharing this very moving story about an important venue.
I kept waiting for Kenny G to pop up out of nowhere and be like "What's up, Bob?" :-D Great story!
I can imagine mini-Bob, blown away by Kenny’s presence. Gives me goosebumps imagining that!
Nothing that happens in this world is ever just happenstance, everything happens for a reason, though most times it goes right over our heads. You are blessed to have come full circle and realize the significance. ☝️🥴
Kenny G is a legend like many. He created his sound and the way he played that can stand out for it. He is a hero for me. Thanks to him I have started to listen, transcribe and become interested in other styles. Immensely grateful Bob that an immense musician like you does not despise Kenny G. You are one of the best musicians and as a person for your simplicity and good sense.
Smaltz supremo. Enjoy. 🎩
Ayyyeee!!! Lets Go FLAVA FLORIDA!!! Im from Tampa!!!! Such a divine vid and story
What a great story. I love your humility of how a "pop" player changed your life. Kenny G did that for a lot of sax players in the period of time. Gigs galore because of him.
That wasn't an accident. That was a blessing for you.
WWWWOOOOWWW ... Mind Blowing !!! the POWER of ART
Beautiful to see the beautiful, humble guy that Bob is. We all stand on the shoulders of those that came before us.
Great story
Man, I’m sure he’d love to hear this story. I’m sure I would, especially considering where it all lead. Awesome!
When the movie Whiplash came out all the musicians I know were talking about how awful it was in the way it portrayed jazz education unrealistically, etc. However, similar to this Kenny G story, that movie was an "in" for a lot of aspiring musicians. Shorty after Whiplash came out, I was at an event at my daughter's elementary school and there was a 5th grade boy who was playing DJ on a laptop, and he was only playing jazz tunes. I struck up a conversation with him and he told me that he had been obsessed with jazz and playing drums for months because of the movie Whiplash. The excitement about music and jazz was palpable in the conversation. He'd been bitten by the bug.
It was a pretty good boxing movie.
@@crimsonmask5217 Exactly It wasn't actually a movie about Jazz schools and how and what they teach.
After the pandemic lockdowns and with the slow reintroduction of live music , I believe people who are open and connected are feeling at a deep level the healing and regenerative power of music . I have heard people here in Ireland talk about 'a connection to the very soul' that they could not quite put into words .but were ,at a deep level, the better for it ( the live gigs etc.) I think you spoke so beautifully and spiritually there that your words evoke feelings on the same lines...Beautiful...❤️
🙏🏻
💯💯💯💯
What a great story. Kenny G was everything to me as a beginning band sax player and he definetly knows how to put on a great show!
What an amazing story. Some of the artists are so generous. Go Kenny G!
A beautiful, beautiful story!
Wow this story is amazing this is so mind blowing how you said you choose to change to tenor it was meant for you! Beautiful
That's a really great story!!
Wow, beautiful story Bob! Love it how those transformative experiences clearly have this emotional impact, all those years later, just by revisiting the location. You have them best saxophone Vlogs here on TH-cam, keep em coming!
Thanks for sharing Bob, super cool!
That’s a great story, Bob. Thanks for sharing it. It’s definitely something we never can take for granted how one musician/person can influence another just by doing what they do best. It’s not far fetched to say that you would have influenced many young saxophone players just as Kenny did. Another point to note is really about how good (honest) showmanship really makes a good show, regardless of music.
Wow what a cool story Bob! Great to hear about your early Kenny G influence - those first music impressions are super important.
This is giving me deja vu to the time I saw kenny G in concert in 2018 at the civics arts plaza which is my local plaza back when I was a junior in high school. I sat on the balcony seat taking pictures from my phone through a pair of binoculars. Even though Im not a huge Kenny G fan I though is would be a nice oppertunity to see someone in concert who knew the whole way around the horn which really was inspiring. Also when will snarky puppy be back in LA!!!!!!!!
This is great. So many professionals knock Kenny G as a sell out and not being talented. The reality is that he influenced countless musicians while being commercially successful.
I wanted to play trumpet for band but my parents chose to rent me a sax. I was disappointed until I heard Kenny G and others on the radio. I was motivated to play. 30 years later I’m still playing. Yes I appreciate the straight ahead jazz icons (Bird, Trane, Rollins, etc) but I still credit Kenny G with helping me find my love for sax.
Heartfelt video, Bob. I love how you’re whispering as you describe what Kenny did. It feels like a wildlife documentary, as you describe how he walked around the theatre :-)
haha... hadn't thought of it that way but good call! :)
I love this story. Thanks for sharing. I really enjoy your storytelling, your candor, your personality, and your overall vibe and energy towards music and saxophone playing. It has me inspired to want to do more with saxophone and become better. That’s a feeling that I haven’t had in a while so I appreciate you!
Great story wonder how many other people had life changing moment by artist who took the little extra time to connect with there fans
What a great story!! My oldest son who played Tenor in HS had a similar experience. He and the school sax section went to see Kenny G in concert. He brought a fresh reed which Mr G autographed for him during the concert. Still has it. My son never went on to a professional career but carries with him a deep love of music and the saxophone. Along the same lines, the first time I saw a Sax player with a wireless (a long time ago) was a player by the name of "Alto Reed". He played with Bob Seeger. During the Seeger concert, "Alto" begins a solo but can't be seen on stage. I'm looking around and there he is, from the back of the auditorium, just wailing away. I flipped out. After the concert I went up to the sound guy and asked about the wireless mic. Had to have it. LOL.
Nice to see that along with being a great player, you’re a sincere and humble guy.
Good for you for recognizing Kenny. I do t love him but any musician that evokes emotion is worth a shout
While telling the story Bob was the little boy. I love it, behause it tells a lot about his power of imagination. Invaluable when talking impro..
Great story..... Thanks for sharing! ♥ 🎶
Thanks for sharing Bob. Enjoyed hearing your story.
Great story, Bob.
Many high school students of that era were inspired by Kenny G. His commercial simplicity - at that time of his debut into popularity during mid-'80's -2000 - was contagiously inspiring.
Today, Kenny G. is miles away, as a performer ( of "serious" music) - from that period when Bob, then a high school student, had heard him.
Thanks to G's belief in himself, determination, TH-cam/Internet and, of course, to the Organic Real Jazz musicians, connoisseurs and critics who "kept Kenny G. on his feet", so to say.
Dr. Shawn "Thunder" Wallace, brilliant tenor saxophonist, recording artist and University educator has a similar story: how he, as a young phenom, was inspired and influenced by the great Bransford Marsalis, tenor and soprano saxophonist.
Bob Reynolds is now among those who are inspiring and influencing others - amateurs and professionals; ironically, Kenny G., too.
Thanks, Bob.
I worked at the Northrop Auditorium in Minneapolis back in the late '80s and saw KG do the roaming tenor thing. Kinda cool hearing him playing through the hallways an up the stairs as he went up to the balcony!
Somehow Bob’s videos feel like he’s sending you a personal video through text
Great story, thanks for sharing! I was always captured by the pit orchestras on Broadway. Every intermission I'd go down and look in the pit.
These seminal moments are imperative for us Bob. And can be life changing. Thanks for literally re - living them for us - full circle. It looked like the gig went well. I’ve done the same as a performer and it’s important to mark these memories. You simply don’t know whose life you might change in an audience on any given night. So next time you see someone in the audience with a Sax on their T - shirt…many thanks.🙏☀️🎷🎺🇬🇧🙏
That's a fantastic story, Bob. May you get the opportunity to tell Kenny directly what an impact that moment had on your life. I'm sure he'd get a kick out of it.
Love this story. Nothing like this, but when younger and going to music school I attended a Phil Woods show at a small club in Massachusetts. I sat three rows back on the floor and could hear his natural sound the whole time. My eyes were glued on his fingers....what a lesson!
I'm so happy you shared this! Generations of young jazz fans have been inspired by the more commercial-light-pop jazz groups like Kenny G, Chuck Mangione, Maynard Ferguson, Grover Washington, Jr. Most all of them recorded many different styles over the years, but often get a bad rap because of the more commercially accessible music they put out. I bet there's a lot of other great musicians out there who were energized after seeing one of those bands live before getting deeper into all the different music that's out there.
💯%
I don't think Grover Washington Jr did get a bad rap. Did he ever? 🤔
I almost have the same story! In my case I walked towards him and he played in front of my and shook my hand while playing 🙏🏾 Was a huge fan of him and seeing him live at the age of 10 changed my life. But amazing story you have Bob. Took me back in time 😎
@bobreynolds and also an amazing story you have Bob! Took me back in time
You’ve earned what you have achieved and what a cool mom ! Way to go man
Divine intervention happens to us all, and when we recognise the hand of God in our lives and how He woos us through Jesus to experience Life and Life in abundance, you want to worship Him with your gifts and life. Beautiful story Bob! from South Africa.
I saw him in London before he was famous here- and he walked about and shook my brother's hand which was cool
Thanks for sharing that, Bob. I know Kenny Gorelick was playing with a lot of solid language back then. The music was sort of funky and he had (has) a very solid tenor sound. I bet that was a moving, personal experience. I’ve listened to those old Jeff Lorber albums over and over when I was younger.
In the words of Master Oogway (Kung Fu Panda) - "There are no accidents." I firmly believe that moment in time with Kenny G happened for a reason and put you on this path. Not trying to get all cornball but stuff like that isn't chance considering where you are now. Especially given that he turned around and walked up your aisle.
I had a similar experience seeing Roy Hargrove (with Randy Brecker & Herbie) when I first started playing trumpet. It was tough and I was thinking about bagging it but my seat was front row and Roy played dead in front of my seat all night. It was amazing. No way I could give up on music after that.
that's beautiful, Eric. What a special moment.
KennyG life changing moment👌😁😍!
Hey Bob! What an incredible pair of stories! Im so grateful you came to my school and played with chuck Finley! You are amazing and an inspiration to me
Saw KG, he was great both time, his circular breathing is so perfect
Beautiful!
Awesome story 👍 I had a similar experience with Kenny G inspiring me to play when I was a 10th grader in high school. My late high school science teacher took me to see Kenny G play in New Orleans and it jst blew me away. Then I had another inspiration (Santy Runyon) that propelled me to keep shedding and who to listen too and learning about mouthpieces etc. I went on to major in music in undergrad. and work on a masters in jazz later. And now you are one of my inspirations in my adult life. Listening to you and other players like Ben Wendel really help me to keep shedding and inspire me to play. The life long journey that we are truly blessed to have…thank you
Very cool that Bob gives credit to Kenny G for his inspiration. So many great “serious” musicians were inspired early on by popular musicians of the day. You know the commercial output of musicians like Herb Alpert, Henry Mancini, Mason Williams, Spirogyra and Chuck Mangione influenced more musicians than will admit it.
See this is why I think it’s so lame when people clown on Kenny G… he’s helped so many people get into saxophone
I love Kenny Garrett!! Great story.
Im sure you wish you could play half like Kenny G
@@samueloluyinkaojomu6548 one should never have to explain a joke.
Totally awesome story man. Kenny G is the man.
Cool story. I grew up in Jacksonville also and play sax. I graduated from Englewood in 76 then went on the road as a sax player for many years. I know Juan (great player) Kenny G was a great influence on me as was Tom Scott back in the day. I enjoy your videos.
Thanks, Scott
That's an amazing story! A lot of people knock Kenny G for various reasons but he brought a lot of interest to so many young people regarding wanting to play saxophone or even just a wind instrument in general.
Loved the story, that's for sharing it.
I enjoy your vlogs a lot mr. Reynolds, I feel like we're friends, good solo at the end!
That's a truly awesome story!
Killer shredding in the intro!!
Great story Bob 🎷
thanks, Harps
Great video!
thanks for sharing this! Awesome and fascinating story.
Really inspiring story Bob, I do miss your VLOGs.!!
Great story !
Great story Bob. Thank you for sharing. I’m sure there are players out there that have had the same experience with your playing. I know I did! Thanks man.
Always love me some good old kenny g!
Wow man...welcome home even for a little bit...I missed Snarky this time but I will make sure I don't miss you next time through JAX!
Great story, Bob! He’s down to earth enough that I could see him responding to this story in some way.
I love hearing a guy like you actually speak this way about Kenny G. I think it is SUCH a bad look when Jazz musicians trash the guy. The reality is he was inspiring to YOU at THAT point. I bet he has inspired a good number of kids to pick up a sax, who ended up playing "real" jazz.
Thanks Bob, really great stories 🖖🏾
Never thought someone would have good things to say about Kenny G
The circles of life are drawn with time and the rare moments where they loop are always suspended.
It's unexpected that Kenny G held the compas for this one :-), so thanks for this Kenny!
And thank you for sharing the moment Bob: time flies, lets make the best out of it. Easier said than done. Take care friends.
Well said! Love this: "The circles of life are drawn with time and the rare moments where they loop are always suspended."
Master!! What a cool story and great video! Like always...Thanks for sharing, and please never stop to do these videos, they are very inspiring. 👏👏👏👏👏
Great Video, great story! Thanks for sharing! 😊
fantastic story! love it :)
Great story! I was waiting for you to say that you walked out into the audience to play as well.
Haha! That's a great story! My first affection to the saxophone was also Kenny G - before I switched to Branford with Sting... ;o)
Best Kenny G story ever! Must have been destiny as we can't see anything with the lights on...
It's good to hear that KG had some positive effect, because that constant pentatonic repetition is a lodestone on those of us who actually like jazz.
@@Osnosis hahaha.
I really enjoyed the video Bob. I have been a huge fan of Kenny G since 1997. I have been to 20 of his concerts. The first time you experience his opening is a real mind blower! It definitely sold me. He was supposed to be doing a show at the Florida Theatre tomorrow night if I'm not mistaken ( number 21 ) but I guess he rescheduled because of Covid.
"He was supposed to be doing a show at the Florida Theatre tomorrow night if I'm not mistaken" ...that's right! I just found that out *after* publishing this a day ago. crazy
Hi Bob, I'm a singer/songwriter guitar player and I get so much from these videos. Thank you! I know you've probably answered this before, but what video editing program do you use? Your editing is awesome, thanks again
I've just rewatched this video. Such an inspiring story and so important to share, particularly as he is so often dismissed by jazz snobs. Have you subsequently met Kenny since in your career?
Fans of "true" jazz seem to love dumping on Kenny G.
You don't have to like his records. But he is a monster player. I saw him play in the early 1980s with the Jeff Lorber Fusion (when they actually played fusion) and he totally killed. (Like Bob, I was a young jazz musician at the time, and I was super into JLF's early records and tracks, like Wizard Island, Tune 88, Toad's Place, Galaxian - and the JLF concerts with Kenny G made a huge impression on me.)
More recently, during the pandemic Kenny G posted an iPhone video of himself playing Giant Steps; it was pretty great. He's got chops galore, and he clearly has studied the greats of jazz saxophone pretty well.
My assessment is that he's really good at playing actual jazz, but he has chosen to present himself as an entertainer. Maybe he just wants to make a lot of money and be a star. Or maybe he really enjoys entertaining people more than he enjoys playing "real jazz."
Whatever. That's his choice and I respect it, even if I don't agree with it.
Ron C.
Kenosha WI
Snarky Puppy Superfan
Yes 2 broder del saxofón music powuer feling máster
I love Kenny G. Dissing him is terribly bad form. This story is so awesome.
thanks, Sam
Super interesting to hear your "Origin Story".
Cool!
You know Bob, I had a similar experience with you and Jonah, the first time I saw you guys playing in Argentona (not Argentina) in Barcelona. I guess it was. 2003-2004 and that was massive! That allowed me to know you, David, I think Marko was there too and of course Jonah. Since then I've been following you guys in your different projects but that gig was mindblowing! Meeting David, allowed me to discover Llibert Fortuny and his band and expanding the barriers of the "new" jazz?
I'm so looking forward seeing you live again in Europe!
Thanks for your music!
Ton! Thank you for sharing that beautiful memory. Those were special times.
Wonder how many players you have inspired similarly Bob! Respect to Kenny, he was a very good Tenor player with Jeff Lorber Fusion back in the day.
Adding another comment, as it seems this story has driven home for many.
It's difficult to know, but I suspect for many of us that grew up during the mid-late 80s, Kenny G was like an entry drug for understanding music within the jazz tradition and other contemporary music idioms.
I also suspect, unless you had the fortune to grow up in a vividly diverse musical environment (a musical family, school, region) making the appreciation curve from the popular music of the time to innovative artists like Coltrane or Ornette Coleman may have been quite a leap. For me, Kenny G was a small jumping board to eventually listening to, and absorbing, much more eclectic music.
I absolutely appreciate this comment. I didn’t even know what a sax was until I was 22. You hit the nail on the head brother. While I was in college at the age I mentioned my late friend handed me a soprano sax because he loved Kenny G. Kenny G was the first saxophone player I came to know about. Most of who hates on Kenny will never be half as successful as he is. Bob Marley brought his style, Coltrane, Parker etc brought theirs, the late Michael Jackson brought his, and Kenny G was sent by the universe with his full stop.
Tacos before a gig can be a dangerous thing :-)