Smooth jazz. Soaring saxophone solos. Coffee empires. Wait—what? Yes, we’re talking about Kenny G, the Grammy-winning sax legend who once held a note for 45 minutes and has sold over 75 million records worldwide. But behind the soft melodies and perfect hair is a man full of surprises. Here are 5 lesser-known facts about the one and only Kenneth Bruce Gorelick—aka Kenny G.
1. He Was One of Starbucks’ First Investors
Before lattes were life and pumpkin spice ruled fall, Kenny G was sipping on something more than just jazz. He was an early investor in Starbucks thanks to his friendship with founder Howard Schultz. Not only did he help fund the chain, but he also claims he influenced the idea of selling espresso drinks. Kenny G: the only man to both soundtrack and caffeinate your life.
2. He’s Got a Degree in Accounting (With Honors!)
Before dazzling millions with “Songbird,” Kenny G was crunching numbers. He majored in accounting at the University of Washington and graduated magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa. He was even eligible to become a CPA. That’s right—he could’ve audited your taxes.
3. His Music Tells China It’s Time to Go Home
In China, Kenny G’s song “Going Home” has become a bizarre national cue: stores, malls, train stations—you name it—play the track to signal closing time. It’s so embedded in the culture that people start packing up when they hear it, like Pavlov’s dog with a soprano sax.
4. He Once Held a Sax Note for 45 Minutes
Using a technique called circular breathing, Kenny G broke a Guinness World Record in 1997 by holding a single note on his sax for 45 minutes and 47 seconds. That’s longer than most gym memberships last. If lung power was an Olympic sport, he’d win gold—smoothly, of course.
5. He’s Played with Everyone from Sinatra to Weezer
You expect Kenny G to collaborate with Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion, sure. But did you know he played sax for Weezer in a surprise AOL promo? Or that he popped up in a Katy Perry music video? He’s been sampled by Kanye, and somehow manages to glide through genres like his notes glide through the air.
Kenny G is more than the soundtrack to candlelit dinners and dentist offices—he’s an unexpected powerhouse of pop culture, business smarts, and saxophone wizardry. Here’s to the guy who turned smooth jazz into a global phenomenon, caffeinated a nation, and still has the lungs of a superhero.