Quote:
I heard players who could play well, but played what I hear as empty notes. Good technicians but without what I consider talent. I heard other players with the same schooling that were musical monsters. Tons of what I call talent. But the majority were good players, in between the extremes.


Somewhere in there fits the story of one of the biggest letdowns of my life. (No, not my 3rd marriage. That was HER letdown.)

Another sax player and I bought tickets to see Kenny G in a theater in the round we used to have here in Cleveland. We were pumped to have 4th row tickets. The opening act was a local jazz group that did Weather Report covers about about 30% their own stuff. So they do their thing, then Kenny and his hair came out. Did his first song. Did his second. Did his third. In the 4th song, I looked at my pal and said "This is the 4th song and he is already repeating licks." And my pal said "You heard that too? For my money I say we finish this song and go."

And we did.

When we were walking to our cars, I looked at him and said "That is the whitest dude in America." and he knew exactly what I meant. I heard a lot of notes, a lot of GREAT fingering, a LOT of amazing technique. What I didn't hear was feel. Soul. Heart. Here was this pretty boy playing THE most expressive instrument out there and it was just a wash of gray notes. When a player is repeating licks in the 4th song, it's time to go. And I have never listened to him on purpose again. From time to time I get some Kenny G poisoning at the grocery store, but I have never bought one of his CDs and won't. Technician. I much prefer David Sanborn.

As good as Lee Ritenour is, I find him in the same "technician" class too. Lots of speed. Lots of technique. No heart. No soul. I can hear speed from Kirk Hammett if I ever listened to Metalica. (I don't.) Alan Holdsworth now, he has the technical chops but he plays with feel. Pat Matheny too. I liked Kenny G when he was still Kenny Gorelick playing with Jeff Lorber. Ritenour and Dave Grusin together were special, but what I took from them was more their composition.

Recurring theme.

Put in the time. No shortcuts.