Life in the Key of G

Kenny G—the incomparable musician with the straight sax, the flowing hair, and some of the most memorable melodies in history—reveals the man behind the music in this indelible, honest, and funny memoir.

He’s world renowned as the bestselling instrumentalist of all time, but there’s a lot about Kenny G that even his legions of devoted fans have never known—until now.

In this heartfelt, funny, and fascinating memoir, Kenny G shares how skinny Kenneth Gorelick, the kid who got hassled for his lunch money in a Seattle high school, became one of the most celebrated and revered virtuosos in the music industry. He uncovers how he’s managed to rise above the fray, tune out the critics, and live a life filled with happiness and humor.

Few people know of Kenny G’s musical roots as the sole white guy in one of the coolest funk bands of the seventies, or as the teenage backup musician for everyone from Barry White to Liberace. As an artist he’s dedicated to turning the next generation on to jazz heroes like Grover Washington, John Coltrane, and Stan Getz. A man who takes his music seriously but himself not so seriously, Kenny G lets readers behind the scenes to see how he creates his unique sound and unforgettable songs. Along the way, he offers life lessons in discipline, determination, and dedication.

Life in the Key of G leads readers on a tour of one of the great musical careers of the twentieth century, from the time he pulled a fast one on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show—a bold gamble that launched his stardom—to famed duets with legends like Whitney Houston, Frank Sinatra, and more.

As Kenny G likes to say, “Try it. You’ll have the best sax you ever had.”

Kenny G is a Grammy Award–winning saxophonist whose indelible, unique sound created a new genre of music and has endeared him to millions of people around the world. He is the best-selling instrumentalist of all time, with global sales of more than seventy-five million albums. Kenny has twice been given the NAACP Image Award. A Seattle native, Kenny lives in Los Angeles and is a proud and devoted father.


Philip Lerman is the former national editor of USA Today and former co–executive producer of America’s Most Wanted. He is the author or co-author of eleven books, including Dadditude and Woke Up This Morning: The Definitive Oral History of “The Sopranos” with Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa.