Grammy-award winning saxophonist to return for Hà Nội concert

HÀ NỘI — Seven years after first playing in Việt Nam, one of the best instrumental artists of all time, Kenny G, will return to perform in Hà Nội next month.

His concert in Hà Nội is the opening event of ‘Good Morning Việt Nam’ – a charity project that is expected to be held annually by the Nhân Dân (The People) newspaper in collaboration with the IB Group specialising in international-standard concert organising.

The project aims to support families of Vietnamese war invalids and martyrs, as well as pupils and teachers working in remote areas.

Lê Quốc Minh, Nhân Dân editor-in-chief (right), speaks at a press conference about the concert in Hà Nội on October 9. — Photo courtesy of the organiser

Speaking at a press conference about the event taking place at the newspaper's head office in Hà Nội, Lê Quốc Minh, editor-in-chief of the newspaper, said that over the years, the Nhân Dân newspaper had organised several large-scale art performances aiming to raise funds for charity activities.

“Following that devotion to the community, we want to expand the performances’ scale at the same time to offer something fresh for the audience by inviting international artists to join hands in this meaningful activity,” he said.

During the one-night-only concert slated for December 14 at the National Convention Hall, which can host up to nearly 4,000 people, the Grammy award-winning saxophonist will perform several of his all-time hits, including Going Home, Havana, Romeo & Juliet, My Heart Will Go On.

The repertoire will also include a Vietnamese folk tune. However, details on the song haven’t been disclosed as the organiser and the artist are still in discussions.

Explaining to a Việt Nam News reporter on why ‘Good Morning Vietnam’ has decided to invite Kenny G, Minh said that the most important factor is that the performance schedule of the artist is consistent with the time when the concert is held.

“We had three options for artists, but finally, it is very lucky that Kenny G can arrange his busy time to come to perform in Hà Nội next month. The negotiation process lasted nearly a year,” Minh said.

Saxophonist Tùng S.A.X performs at a press conference about the concert Kenny G Live in Vietnam in Hà Nội on October 9. — Photo courtesy of Kiều Trinh

All proceeds from ticket sales will be used for several charity activities conducted by the Nhân Dân newspaper.

Kenny G is an American smooth jazz saxophonist, composer, and producer. The instrumentalist has enjoyed phenomenal success across the pop, jazz, and R&B charts for over three decades and is known for his lyrical and emotive style, a sound that has garnered a loyal fanbase and made him one of the biggest selling instrumentalists of all time.

He initially broke through with 1986's Duotones, which reached the top 10 on the pop and jazz charts and spawned the hit single Songbird.

He gained yet wider attention with 1992's Breathless, which reached number two on the Billboard 200, topped the jazz charts, and won the Grammy for Best Instrumental Composition for Forever in Love.

He has more than 10 number-one Billboard Jazz Albums, including 2004's At Last...The Duets, 2010's Heart and Soul, and 2015's Brazilian Nights. With 2021's New Standards, he showcased his compositional skills, writing songs inspired by his love of '50s and '60s traditional pop standards.

Last month, the internationally acclaimed saxophonist announced the upcoming release of Innocence, his 20th studio album, which will be available in early December.

For Kenny G Live in Vietnam tickets, please call the hotline 0919 492 768.