Kenny G Makes Hamptons Debut At WHBPAC

Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center (WHBPAC) welcomes Grammy-winning instrumentalist Kenny G to its historic stage on Saturday, June 4 at 8 p.m. as part of his summer 2022 tour that will see him perform at venues across the country. This is Kenny G’s first time performing at WHBPAC.

Saxophonist Kenny G rose to fame in the mid-1980s with his signature smooth jazz sound. He is the top-selling instrumental musician of the modern era, and took an early interest in music and began playing the saxophone at age 10. He credits bands like Earth, Wind & Fire with inspiring him to continue his musical passion. In 1982, after inking a deal with Arista Records, Kenny G released his self-titled debut album. Striking a balance between jazz and R&B, the record marked a solid start to his solo career. His next two albums, “G Force” (1983) and “Gravity” (1985), continued his upward trajectory, but it was his fourth studio album, “Duotones” (1986), that made the saxophonist an international star. Eventually topping five million sales, the silky-smooth jazz album led the way for Kenny G to work with other big-name stars, including Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston and Natalie Cole.

Over the next decade Kenny G and his smooth sound dominated the airwaves and the record charts. His 1992 release, “Breathless,” sold more than 12 million copies in the United States alone and became the top-selling instrumental album in history. In 1994, Kenny G won a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition for the track “Forever in Love.” That year he also released his first holiday album, “Miracles,” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The saxophonist has recorded albums that have displayed his appreciation for jazz standards (“Classics in the Key of G,” 1999), tropical sounds (“Paradise,” 2002), and Latin beats (“Rhythm and Romance,” 2008). In 2010 he delivered the R&B-driven album “Heart and Soul,” with contributions from Robin Thicke and Babyface, and in 2015 he returned to Latin inspirations for “Brazilian Nights.” During his decades-long career, he’s also performed with Barbra Streisand, Burt Bacharach and Frank Sinatra. His latest album, “New Standards,” is a contemporary take on jazz classics and was released in 2022.

Tickets range from $106-171 at whbpac.org or 631-288-1500. Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center is at 76 Main Street, Westhampton Beach, NY.