Fascist Noodling: Why Do People Hate Kenny G?

Last year, HBO released a documentary called “Listening to Kenny G”, which grappled with the success of the Smooth Jazz saxophonist in spite of critics calling his music lame, derivative, appropriative and cheap. In this episode, I speak with jazz critics and scholars to get to the bottom of where these criticisms come from. Along the way, I ask questions like: What is smooth jazz? Is Kenny G actually a good saxophonist? And how do I get those luxurious curls?

PLUGS:

Check out Will Layman’s writing: https://www.popmatters.com/kenny-g-art-asks-little

Also check out John Halle’s work: https://jacobin.com/2020/01/kenny-g-gorelick-jazz-blues-criticism-analysis-music

As well as Jim Farber’s: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/dec/01/kenny-g-jazz-music-hbo-documentary

And “Doctuh” Michael Woods’ music: http://www.docwoodsmusic.com/