Klarinet Archive - Posting 000986.txt from 2000/01

From: Neil Leupold <leupold_1@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] So what's wrong with Kenny G?
Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2000 08:53:36 -0500

--- Bryan Cholfin <cranked@-----.net> wrote:

> >From: "Kevin Fay (LCA)" <kevinfay@-----.com>

> > You should also not assume that he can't play hard bebop, just because it
> > isn't what he records. I've heard him live in clubs, playing for fun -- cat
> > can play. Anything. Seventeen choruses of Giant Steps, all interesting.
> > Cherokee at Phil Woods speed. Whatever. Don't assume that he can't play
> > this stuff because he won't put in on a record that people won't buy.

> That's rather interesting. One can't help wondering then what would happen
> if he did record such an album. Come to think of it, I work in publishing--I
> know of writers in parallel situations. Never mind, then. I know what would
> happen.

<Neil dons his novice marketing cap for three sentences.>

What they teach in basic marketing classes suggests that Kenny G's
overwhelmingly strong image in the 'musak' segment (of the saxophone
music listeners market) would severely undermine the perceived qual-
ity of his legitimate jazz playing in the eyes of legit jazz enthus-
iasts (a different segment of the same market). While he might
inspire a few musak lovers to explore legit jazz, those listeners
already in the latter segment would be hard pressed to take him
seriously. There are ways to adapt to this likelihood and, given
Kevin Fay's testimonial to Kenny G's intelligence and business
sense, I imagine Kenny G would take the necessary measures that
would enable him to successfully bridge the gap.

<Neil removes his novice marketing cap, clicks on the stereo, and
relaxes on his couch to Sibelius 2>
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