NEWS 14 Feb 2008

Kenny G Debuts At #14 On Billboard's Top 200 Albums Chart With 'Rhythm & Romance'

Kenny G Kicks off World Tour with Performance at Rose Hall In Jazz At Lincoln Center

CBS Sunday Morning Profile to Air February 17

LOS ANGELES, CA (February 14, 2008) - Kenny G, the biggest-selling instrumental musician of the modern era, debuted at #14 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums Chart - his highest debut in five years - and #1 on the Contemporary Jazz Chart with Rhythm & Romance, his first album co-released by Starbucks Entertainment and Concord Records. The album sold more than 31,000 units in its first week of release and is currently available in traditional retail outlets as well as Starbucks company-operated locations throughout the U.S. and Canada.

The stellar debut capped off a month of highlights for Kenny G: his new line of saxophones made its U.S. debut at NAMM, the trade association of the international music products; February 12, he performed at Rose Hall In Jazz at Lincoln Center, kicking off his 2008 world tour; CBS Sunday Morning will air a profile on Kenny February 17; his interview on Tavis Smiley aired February 8. Kenny also graced the cover of the February 16 issue of Billboard. In a recent review, Billboard says "Focusing on one genre, and an ethnic one at that, works to G's advangate; backed by a stellar cast of musicians that includes bassist Nathan East and Weather Report drummer Alex Acuna (with Afanasieff on piano), he coaxes a richer and more muscular tone from his instrument."

Rhythm & Romance is a unique combination of rich Samba, Salsa and Bossa Nova love songs anchored by Kenny's intoxicating and signature saxophone melodies. From the classic ballad "Sabor a Mi" to the romantic "Besame Mucho," Kenny has created an album unlike any other in his catalogue. On Rhythm & Romance, Kenny performs with some of the world's best Latin musicians including Alex Acuña of Weather Report (drums), Ramon Stagnaro (guitar), John Pena (bass), Michito Sanchez (percussion) Enrique Martinez (accordion), Nathan East (bass), Paulino Da Costa (percussion) and producer Walter Afanasieff (piano) to create a truly infectious rhythmic style. The album also features guest vocals by rising Chilean star Barbara Munoz and Spanish-speaking pop/rock sensation, Camila.

U.S.Tour Dates:

02/22/08 Paramount Theatre, Denver CO

02/23/08 Vilar Center for the Arts, Beaver Creek CO

02/26/08 The Dodge Theater, Phoenix AZ

03/07/08 Centennial Hall Convention Center, Juneau AK

03/09/08 Hering Auditorium, Fairbanks AK

03/10/08 Atwood Concert Hall, Anchorage AK

03/14/08 Castle Theatre Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Maui HI

03/15/08 Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall, Honolulu HI

03/16/08 Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall, Honolulu HI

03/21/08 Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, W. Palm Beach FL

03/22/08 King Center for the Performing Arts, Melbourne FL

03/24/08 Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater FL

03/25/08 Barbara B. Mann Performing Art Center, Ft. Myers FL

03/26/08 Fillmore Miami Beach, Miami FL

World Tour Dates:

04/26/08 Arena of Stars Genting Highland Resort, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

04/29/08 Olympic Hall Private Curve, Seoul, Korea

04/30/08 Beijing Worker Stadium, Beijing, China

05/2/08 Dragon Arena, Hanghzou, China

05/3/08 Olympic Arena, Najing, China

05/5/08 Chengdu Sichuan Arena, Chengdu, China

05/5/08 Guangzhou Arena, Guangzhou, China