Kenny G doesn’t need this. The recording sessions. The tours. The phone interviews.
If you go
The Capitol Jazz Festival
Where: Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia
When: Through Sunday
Info: Tickets start at $44.50; capitaljazz.com
With more than 75 millions albums sold, one wouldn’t blame one of the most popular instrumentalists ever if he decided to take it easy and do something like play golf full time, a sport that he is very, very good at. But he can’t, because playing saxophone is his passion, as evident by his 13th studio album “Heart and Soul,” due to be released June 29.
“It’s hard to explain,” he said from his studio in Los Angeles. It was 8:30 a.m. on the West Coast, and the virtuoso was about to settle in for a three-hour practice session, something he does every day. “There’s a need in me. I have to practice.”
In support of “Heart and Soul,” Kenny is the closing act of the Capital Jazz Fest at Merriweather Post Pavilion on Sunday. The three-day event includes performances from Gladys Knight and Pattie Labelle.
“Heart and Soul” is a return to Kenny’s Seattle roots.
“A lot of people don’t understand that Seattle is a very multiethnic town,” he said. “It really goes back to that.”
On “Heart and Soul,” Kenny worked with artists such as Babyface and Robin Thicke. Thicke is one of the most popular R&B artists around, and performs on the album’s first single “Fall Again.” Kenny, who turns 54 on Saturday, has known the 33-year-old Thicke since the latter was a teenager, and was excited to work with him.
“I’ve known about him for a long time,” Kenny said.
Kenny’s last album, 2008’s “Rhythm and Romance,” was a Latin jazz collection. The musician balances making what can be recognized as a Kenny G album, and not being predictable. He’s doesn’t want to give fans something they already have.
“You have to do stuff that pushes you to be a musician,” he said. “It’s a way to be creative. As an artist, you don’t want to be stale.”
Kenny doesn’t listen to much contemporary music, preferring old jazz when not practicing or recording. And because recording “Heart and Soul” was so time consuming, he hasn’t played much golf lately (he’s one of the best celebrity amateur golfers around).
Kenny attributes his nearly 40-year career to good fortune, and a lot of time out on the road. But most importantly are those hours honing his craft.
“I made a commitment to practice,” he said.
