Kenny G
Soprano Sax Solo on
Blue Skies

About

Kenny G takes an open-form soprano saxophone solo on "Blue Skies," an original ballad in E-flat from his 2021 album New Standards, not to be confused with the Irving Berlin standard of the same name. At approximately 76 BPM, his soprano saxophone tone is warm and breathy, floating above the accompaniment with the effortless quality that has defined his playing. The slightly brighter tempo compared to some of the album's slowest ballads gives the piece an uplifted, optimistic character consistent with its title's hopeful imagery. As the sole soloist on this collaboration with arranger Randy Waldman, Kenny G's approach emphasizes the strong, memorable melodic lines that function almost as songs without words.

Kenny G was 64 to 65 years old at the time.