JAM: April/May 2003 Issue: Correspondence

Why Waste the Time?
I just read "From the Spit Valve" (February/March 2003), which I would like to call "The World According to Kenny." What a colossal moron.

I've always been one to ignore Kenny G rather than spend any energy discussing or bashing him, as many jazz musicians do. When asked about him at master classes I always avoid discussing him by simply telling the students that I am there to talk about jazz. Kenny G is not a jazz musician, he is a pop saxophonist whose music I don't listen to and therefore have no basis from which to comment. (Once a student asked me, "What do you think of Kenny G?" I said, "I don't," and went on to the next question.)

Reading this article reinforces that the best way to deal with Kenny G is to not deal with him. When it comes to this guy, ignorance is indeed bliss. Discussing him and bashing him only gives him the attention he craves.
Lets face it, we're not going to change his mind or the minds of his fans. Everyone else knows he isn't important, so why waste the time on him?

Kerry Strayer
Kansas City, MO

p.s. Don't misunderstand me. I'm not criticizing those who do go after Kenny G. It's good that there are people who do. I just choose to take a different approach, and one that's better for my blood pressure. I must admit reading his inane comments did make me laugh.

Mike Metheny responds:
Of my many weaknesses, one is the inability to suppress overreaction when steaming bovine scatology is spewed with shameless conviction. As a result, once a day I must take 50 mg of Atenolol, a beta blocker that should chill me to the point where I don't get worked up about weenies like G. And I usually don't. But his brain fart about 'Bird was too much to bear. It wouldn't surprise me if G also announced someday that Lester "Pres" Young once occupied the Oval Office and George Herman "Babe" Ruth hit his first homer at the age of two. The Reality Police would again cry foul, and yes, G would keep crying all the way to the bank.






	Search our site:		Why Waste the Time? I just read "From the Spit Valve" (February/March 2003), which I would like to call "The World According to Kenny." What a colossal moron. I've always been one to ignore Kenny G rather than spend any energy discussing or bashing him, as many jazz musicians do. When asked about him at master classes I always avoid discussing him by simply telling the students that I am there to talk about jazz. Kenny G is not a jazz musician, he is a pop saxophonist whose music I don't listen to and therefore have no basis from which to comment. (Once a student asked me, "What do you think of Kenny G?" I said, "I don't," and went on to the next question.) Reading this article reinforces that the best way to deal with Kenny G is to not deal with him. When it comes to this guy, ignorance is indeed bliss. Discussing him and bashing him only gives him the attention he craves. Lets face it, we're not going to change his mind or the minds of his fans. Everyone else knows he isn't important, so why waste the time on him? Kerry Strayer Kansas City, MO p.s. Don't misunderstand me. I'm not criticizing those who do go after Kenny G. It's good that there are people who do. I just choose to take a different approach, and one that's better for my blood pressure. I must admit reading his inane comments did make me laugh. Mike Metheny responds: Of my many weaknesses, one is the inability to suppress overreaction when steaming bovine scatology is spewed with shameless conviction. As a result, once a day I must take 50 mg of Atenolol, a beta blocker that should chill me to the point where I don't get worked up about weenies like G. And I usually don't. But his brain fart about 'Bird was too much to bear. It wouldn't surprise me if G also announced someday that Lester "Pres" Young once occupied the Oval Office and George Herman "Babe" Ruth hit his first homer at the age of two. The Reality Police would again cry foul, and yes, G would keep crying all the way to the bank. RETURN TO APRIL/MAY 2003 MAIN INDEX © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2003. All rights reserved.