This new music Tuesday features a brand new collection of relaxing melodies from saxophonist Kenny G with his latest release Namaste.
With such a vast number of studio releases to his name (so many in fact that Kenny himself doesn’t know if Namaste is number 19 or 20), it’s hard to stay on top of your game and come out with something fresh and compelling every time.
But on Namaste, Kenny has collaborated with one of India’s most renowned santoor players, Rahul Sharma, for a completely different sound that fans will appreciate.
“It’s nothing like I’ve ever done before,” said Kenny. “I really like the fact that it has good messages, not only musically, but then from that part of the world…that sweet salutation when you say hello to somebody. It’s very nice.”
The two musicians met while Kenny was playing a gig in India and Sharma introduced him to the sounds of India’s signature instrument, the santoor. Soon after, they started exchanging compositions to each other and came up with a way to blend their two unique sounds together for a traditional jazz album highlighted with notes of worldly music.
“I think you have to be open to a lot of different things that are going on in the world,” said Kenny. “So you have to do something really different and have to open yourself up and what better way than to collaborate with somebody from a different part of the world.”
Though Namaste officially comes out today, Kenny doesn’t expect to play any of these songs live in the near future. Since Sharma is the only one who can play the songs as they’re intended to sound, they have to figure out a time when they’re both available to go on tour together.
But even just listening to these recordings is enough to make you feel like you’re taking a trip into a different world.
Listen to the complete interview with Kenny G to learn more about the making of his new album and make sure you check out mellow sounds of Namaste out now.
