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Video Interview: Kenny G Explains The Meaning Behind ‘Namaste’

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With over 75 million albums and counting sold worldwide, Kenny G is by far one of the most successful and widely known instrumental musicians of this era. His music reaches lands far and wide due to the universal appeal of instrumental music  since it can be understood in any language.

On the heels of his latest collaborative release, Namaste, with famed Indian santoor player Rahul Sharma, Kenny sat down for a brief interview with The WAVE’s own Pat Prescott to talk about how the idea for this visionary project came about.

Kenny explains that the two met while he 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 through emails and eventually built up enough material for an entire album.

“It’s such a different kind of music,” explained Kenny.  “I fit my sax in somewhere in the middle…some of the notes on [the santoor] are not notes that I know, because they’re in between notes from the instrument I play.”

What resulted was a peaceful blend of two unique sounds of traditional jazz highlighted with the light notes of India’s distinctive instrument and positive messages.

Though the album’s unconventional creation and sound were something out of the ordinary for Kenny, he explains that it was one of the best career moves he’s made.

“The music didn’t make sense to me at first,” said Kenny. “I thought this is actually the best thing I could do – something that doesn’t sound like anything I’ve done in the past.”

Seems like his leap of faith into another musical realm will indeed pay off. Not only does Kenny have the attention of his loyal U.S. fans with the title track currently in radio play, but he’s also reaching a  global audience with the release of Namaste.

Kenny knows the importance of expanding his craft to other markets outside the U.S. all too well. He’s embarked on sometimes hectic, but enlightening, international tours that have reached countries as far as Europe, Asia, and now India, but to him, it’s all worthwhile.

“You have to look at the world as your market,” said Kenny, adding, “It’s cool that they know my melodies in China…it’s very flattering.”

As for Namaste, the meaning of the record itself identifies with the same inspiring expressions that have long been included in his music.

“It’s a beautiful word,” said Kenny. “It’s a greeting, it’s a salutation, it’s I love you, I respect you, it’s all the good things.”

Kenny also reminds us that in a time with so much stress, heartache and problems occurring in the world, sometimes you need an uplifting message like Namaste to put things in perspective.

“It’s a nice concept now in this day in age when people are working twice as hard for half the money and there’s a lot of stress in the world and stress in life, and just to have an album out there that has a beautiful message and a beautiful word, music that’s hopefully soothing and interesting. It feels good.”

Namaste is currently available in stores and online. Listen to the title track here.


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