Klarinet Archive - Posting 000605.txt from 1997/12

From: "Karen A. Martin" <kern@-----.com>
Subj: Re: Kenny G
Date: Thu, 11 Dec 1997 22:00:48 -0500

Who's to say Kenny G doesn't play for the love of music? I am not a fan of
Kenny G's music, but I am in no position to say it isn't music. As we
should all know, music is very personal. It is difficult to define music
(and we most likely all have our own definitions). It is also difficult to
define "good" music. Many would say that "good" music stands the test of
time. Hence our general agreements that Bach's music and Mozart's music
and Beethoven's music is all good music - we're still listening to and
performing it hundreds of years later. Who knows? Perhaps in the 23rd
century Kenny G's music will still be listened to.

You are also making an assumption that Kenny G doesn't care what other
musicians think of him. That's an awfully big assumption. Perhaps he is
more interested in making music than in what other people think of it! A
lot of composers have felt the same way - you just happen to "like" their
music! I don't believe there is such a thing as a "bad musician". I think
that anyone who is playing from the heart is a musician pure and simple.
If they are doing it only for the money, then that is not being a musician.
However, for those who make money from their music (or other art form for
that matter), that's their job! I believe it was Harrison Ford who said
that he was in show business for the money....what he meant was that show
business is just that - a business. It's his job. Yeah, he loves it, but
that's not the only reason he is doing it!

Apology for the rambling. I guess the point I'm trying to make is that
obviously enough people out there like Kenny G's music, and he is making a
living off of it. So....good for him! For those of us who don't like his
music...well, no one is forcing anyone to listen to it! However, as fellow
musicians, we should respect what he has achieved and leave him alone!

Karen

----------
> From: Josh-Boy <joshcole@-----.Edu>
> To: klarinet@-----.us
> Subject: Re: Kenny G
> Date: Thursday, December 11, 1997 5:52 PM
>
> > In today's "Amusement Business" I see that two Kenny G concerts in
Mexico
> > City on Nov 17 & 18 grossed $549,369. Whatever our beliefs of him as an
> > artist - he can afford not to care.
>
> Yes, he can afford not to care what we think of him as a musician.
> Personally, if a large group of people thought I was a bad musician, and
> they were even semi-credible, I would care!! As a musician, I play
> because I love music. And I play clarinet because I love the clarinet.
I
> do not, would not, or could not play just for money. (Of course, I'm not
> GOOD enough yet to play for money... :) ). I play for the love of the
> music, not for the love of green.
> A question: Is that how the world sees K.G? As amusement? :)
> Sorry, I had to ;)
>
> Joshua Coleman