Kenny G recently worked with pop superstar Katy Perry on her single "Last Friday Night." On "Brazilian Nights," his latest studio album, the international best-selling saxophonist is a long way from pop - he is embracing the bossa nova.
"I've been in love with bossa nova my whole life," Kenny G explained in the album's liner notes. "I think the first song that 'won me over' was Cannonball Adderley's version of 'Quiet Nights.' And more recently I've been listening (non-stop!) to Stan Getz's album called 'Getz For Lovers.' I think I've listened to that record almost every day for the past five years and it really was the inspiration in making this album."
"Brazilian Nights," the instrumental superstar's fourteenth studio album, is set for a Jan. 27, 2015, release.
"My goal was not only to make a bossa nova album that pays tribute to the 'Masters' who I've been listening to (Cannonball Adderley, Paul Desmond and Stan Getz) but also to write and record original bossa novas that I hope can 'hold their own' in this distinguished company. I humbly say that I feel we've succeeded."
Since releasing his self-titled debut album in 1982, Kenny G has become one of the best-selling artists of all time. He's sold more than 75 million records, according to Webster. His collaborations include some of the biggest names in music, including Weezer, Michael Bolton, Whitney Houston and Katy Perry.
The ten-song "Brazilian Nights" blends bossa nova classics and Kenny G originals. The songs include "Bossa Antigua," "April Rain," "Bossa Real" and, of course, the title cut. On the tracks, he plays alto, tenor and soprano sax.
Kenny G didn't rush the making of "Brazilian Nights" in any way, calling it a "wonderful labor of love."
"I spent a year and a half studying and embracing the style of the bossa novas from decades ago," he said.
