Kenny G brings smooth jazz holiday magic to OHIO on Dec. 8

In the world of smooth jazz and instrumental Christmas carols, few names loom as large as Kenneth Bruce Gorelcik, known professionally as Kenny G. On Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m., the renowned saxophonist will bring The Miracles of Holiday and Hits Tour 2025 to the Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium. 

Andrew Holzaepfel, the executive director of the Ohio University Performing Arts and Concert Series, is responsible for booking national tour dates in Athens and considers countless factors when deciding on the year’s lineup.  

“We’re always looking for a holiday performance,” Holzaepfel said. “Sometimes that takes the form of ‘A Christmas Carol’ or ‘The Nutcracker’ or a traditional thing like that, but for many people, they are waking up on a holiday morning and Kenny G is playing in their household.”  

Kenny G not only fulfills the need for a holiday performance, but also the need for instrumental music in the lineup. All of these elements are supported by the fact that Kenny G performed in Athens in 2018 and was met with a positive reception.  

“The first time we brought Kenny, that was the trial run to see if it would work in the market in the community, and it did really well the last time we had him,” Holzaepfel said.  

Matthew James, a professor of saxophone and jazz studies since 1997, was in attendance for the Kenny G concert a few years ago.  

“I was struck by the size of the audience and their enthusiasm for Kenny G and his band,” James said. “He clearly has a huge international following and fan base. My immediate reaction was that the music was super consistent to the many recordings that Kenny G has put out over the years. The audience enjoyed it and were on their feet at the close of the concert.” 

Although Kenny G fans are typically the ones who were around for his peak of fame in the early 90s, Holzaepfel believes the show will be enjoyable for audience members of all ages.  

“This particular show on the series will skew toward an older audience comparatively, but I think you’re going to see the whole breadth, especially with it being a holiday show that’s just generically attractive for anybody that wants to get into the spirit,” Holzaepfel said.  

As the name of the tour suggests, the concert will feature many of Kenny G’s holiday songs, as well as some of his most iconic hits that show off his unique and impressive technique on the saxophone.  

“While so many saxophonists use tenor or alto saxophone as their solo voice, Kenny has made the use of soprano saxophone central to his music, which is unique,” James added. “Only a handful of musicians have done this in the short history of the saxophone. Kenny is also well known for circular breathing, a challenging and impressive wind instrument technique that he includes in his shows.”  

In addition to his musical techniques, Kenny G is known for a specific style of jazz that he will showcase on the early December evening.  

“As a style of music, smooth jazz often features less harmonic activity, which can be easier for some ears to digest,” James explained. “The music is very reliant on the melody and the groove – and while improvisation is included, the improv is not always as much the main focus of a song as it is in standard jazz.” 

Students and community members alike can purchase tickets, ranging from stage-seating to balcony views.  

“Any time the best-selling instrumentalist of all time is within a few miles of home, it’s important to attend at least once to understand the appeal,” James said. “His backing band is very much worth checking out in their own right. And if meeting Kenny is on your wish list, he was out in the lobby at the close of his last OU concert.”