Kenneth Bruce Gorelick was born on 5 June 1956 in the city of Seattle, Washington USA to Jewsih parents (mother from Canada), and is one of the world’s most popular and best selling musicians and performers renowned for his talents with the saxophone. Quite possibly the most popular contemporary instrumentalist, Kenny G’s discography includes collaborations with such giants of music as Frank Sinatra, Natalie Cole, Michael Bolton and Aretha Franklin, and he’s even worked with then-rapper Will Smith and his duet partner, DJ Jazzy Jeff. With all that in mind, it’ll come as no surprise that Kenny G’s net worth is as large as it is – or that it looks set to continue growing.
So just how rich is Kenny G? According to authoritative sources, Kenny G’s staggering record sales and various collaborations with other world-famous stars have netted him an estimated net worth of $50 million.
Kenny G Net Worth $50 Million
Kenny G has had an affinity for his instrument of choice – the saxophone – since his very earliest days. Attributing his first experience of the instrument to hearing it on “The Ed Sullivan Show”, Kenny G started playing when the future legendary instrumentalist was just ten years old. Nowadays, it might come as a surprise to hear that Kenny G once had trouble getting into his high school’s jazz band – it took Kenny two tries, but that did nothing to deter him. This determination paid off, as Kenny G’s first professional gig came when he was still in high school – he managed to land a part in composer and songwriter Barry White’s “Love Unlimited Orchestra”. Afterwards, various bands would follow, until Kenny G signed his first contract with the record label “Arista Records” as a solo performer. However, although very keen on the possibility of a music career, Kenny G didn’t neglect his studies, and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Washington in 1977 with a degree in accounting.
Since his debut in his teens, Kenny G has released a number of albums that went on to great success. Typically classified as a smooth jazz performer, Kenny G has been a consistent best seller throughout his career – his second and third albums, “G Force” and “Gravity”, were already successful hits, going on to become platinum in the US. Future albums sold even better, including Kenny’s sixth album, “Breathless” – which became the most commercially successful instrumental album in history, selling 15 million copies and certainly giving Kenny G’s net worth a massive boost on the way. By 2000, Kenny G was already being invited to perform in the White House. It is worth noting another big reason for Kenny G’s impressive net worth – the saxophone legend has recorded several songs aimed primarily at the ever-growing Chinese market. In fact, Kenny G’s greatest hit ever is probably the odd story of his song “Going Home” – which is used across China to signify the end of various businesses, from television programmes to train stations and shopping malls.
In his personal life, today, Kenny G lives in Malibu, California. Kenny G married Lyndie Benson-Gorelick in 1992, and they have two sons together. Unfortunately, the couple separated in 2012 when Kenny G filed for a divorce.
Full Name
Kenny G
Net Worth
$50 Million
Salary
$50 million
Date Of Birth
June 5, 1956
Place Of Birth
Seattle, Washington, United States
Height
5 ft 1 in (1.57 m)
Profession
Composer, Musician, Record producer, Songwriter, Saxophonist
Education
Sharples Junior High School, Franklin High School, University of Washington,
Nationality
United States of America
Children
Noah Gorelick, Max Gorelick
Parents
Morris Gorelick, Evelyn Gorelick, Forever in Love, Songbird, The Moment, Merced, CA, United States, Brooks, CA, United States
Siblings
Brian Gorelick
Nicknames
Kenneth Gorelick , Kenny G. , Kenneth Bruce Gorelick , G Kenny
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
MySpace
IMDB
Awards
Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition (1994), American Music Award for Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist (1994), Soul Train Music Award for Best Jazz Album (1994, 1989), NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Jazz Artist (1998)
Record Labels
“Arista Records”
Albums
"Kenny G Live", “G Force”, “Gravity”, "Kenny G -Greatest Hits" (1997), "The Very Best of Kenny G" (1994), "Breathless" (1992), "The Moment" (1996)
Nominations
Guinness Book of World Records (Longest note ever recorded on a saxophone, 1997), 25th highest-selling artist in America (RIAA, 2006)
Movies
"The Bodyguard", "The Shadow", "Miracle on 34th Street"
TV Shows
“Love Unlimited Orchestra”
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Trademark
1
His long curly hair
2
Complex soprano saxophone songs
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Quote
1
I approach everything in my life the same way; if it feels right, I know it.
2
What is music anyway? It's a form of communication, and that's why I play the kind of music that I think - that I hope - can communicate with people.
3
I've learned that you simply can't control those bad vibes.
4
I really create everything I do from the heart.
5
Finally, I was no longer a student and was making music for myself.
6
Maybe the biggest thing that I've learned musically is that anything is possible. Things can work when maybe they don't seem like they can.
7
The Moment is an album that contains the best music I have ever produced.
8
I just started as a part of the public school music program. I took lessons at the school every Friday and was a part of the school band. I was just a normal kid taking instrumental lessons at school, nothing special.
9
I started realizing that music is the one area where I've always let go. When that saxophone goes into my mouth, I get into a space where I never think about the notes I've already played or anticipate the notes ahead.
10
I think everybody has to kind of decide what the word 'jazz' means to them, and that's fine.
11
I'm just more into playing golf. It's a great thing.
12
I'm responsive to my public, but I also follow my heart.
13
If I even lose my glasses or make a mistake. I become really disappointed in myself.
14
It wasn't until Duotones that I felt my true voice come out.
15
Just because people play songs with great technique doesn't mean the records are better.
16
Just figure out what you think jazz is, and then if it fits into that category, it's jazz, and if it doesn't, it isn't. It's no big deal.
17
Maybe I'm a dreamer, but I think the ordinary guy has just as much right to say 'This is a good song' as somebody who is in the music business.
18
That's my ideal day, time with my boys.
19
The whole rise of new adult contemporary music and smooth jazz was a nice surprise.
20
There are a few countries that, for whatever reason, really enjoy listening to my music.
21
When I play live, I feel how the audience is going and follow and lead at the same time.
22
Being a purely instrumental album, it makes a musical statement, not a religious one, and I hope that people can feel the emotion of the great melodies, even without the words.
23
I don't play the traditional Charlie Parker songs. But I do improvise and I do create with my instrument, and that to me is jazz. But there are people who use the word 'jazz' only in a traditional sense, and they would be offended by that, and that's fine.
24
I learned so much about playing and touring being on the road and in the studio with Jeff, but I'd always played a lot of gigs in Seattle even prior to joining the Fusion.
25
I listen to all the top 20 songs, and top 20 albums, even the rap albums. But I don't like negative messages. If somebody is putting a lot of ego out there, I don't like it. When I make my records I want it to be sincere.
26
I've never personally criticized anyone else's music, but I know that the public's real problem is not the music I make but the perception that I play simple music for money only and for the notoriety and to increase my popularity.
27
I've never really played golf. With the sax, I learned technique well enough so that it feels like part of my body, and I just express myself. That's where I want to get in golf.
28
Well, Grover Washington was my main influence and when I went to college, I started listening to more of the jazz masters like Sonny Rollins, Cannonball Adderley, and John Coltrane.
29
You can't just walk away when somebody recognizes you. You have to take some time out and talk to them. It's not a waste of time - I just love talking to people. And I don't do this to sell records. The truth is, I do what I do because I love it.
Jessica Young 
$50 Million
