Smooth Jazz News - October-November-Decemeber - 2024

4 6 | S M O O T H J A Z Z N E W S O C T O B E R / N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 4 Libra Sept. 23 - Oct. 22 Pressures about parenthood concern you now. You may be thinking of starting a family or about having di culties dealing with teenagers, but the responsibility of the job lls your mind. Don’t worry, these things will work out as long as you are truthful with yourself. Scorpio Oct. 23 - Nov. 21 So many plans to be made. Luckily, you are the sort of person who enjoys making checklists and checking o items completed. You’re headed for some really big changes, and all this planning will serve you well. Sagittarius Nov. 22 - Dec. 21 It’s time to take a good look at your friend group. You can make a decision to cut some folks who may not really add to your life in any positive way. ere’s no reason to hold onto relationships that don’t add value. Capricorn Dec. 22 - Jan. 19 You will be super busy the next few months. All kinds of projects and some potential travel will take up a ton of your time. It’s important to schedule a break to rest during your current jam-packed itinerary. You won’t be able to accomplish all those things if you don’t. Aquarius Jan. 20 - Feb. 18 Some relationships take more than they give to you, and now is the time to address those that are failing. Don’t feel too bad about it; others are feeling the same. Sorry to say, but you can be a bit of a drag sometimes. Pisces Feb. 19 - March 20 e next couple of months can bring you some lovely love time with your signi cant other. You just need to make sure that you are making the best choice for your relationship. ere are a couple of potential lovers in the o ng. Don’t move too fast. Aries March 21 - April 19 You’re in for some snafus soon. Tickets mixed up, travel delays and communication mishaps abound. oroughly check and recheck your information when traveling. is can a ect your work life as well. Be careful! Taurus April 20 - May 20 Now is a great time to spoil yourself with some self-care. You could go into an extravagant spa routine with massage and bubbles, or simply give yourself a day of rest and relaxation. You will see the results. Gemini May 21 - June 21 You may feel some relationship shifts. An old white lie may come back to haunt you. Try to be as honest as possible when you are confronted with the truth, and be gentle with yourself when you pay for it. Cancer June 22 - July 22 You may be experiencing a lot of petty annoyances. Be extra careful when traveling, and double-check your communication devices as well. is will all pass by soon. You can be comforted by an extremely a ectionate relationship. Leo July 23 - Aug. 22 You will receive some support for your creative ideas. ere may be others who are interested in your work, and who may o er nancial support. Make a decision as to your focus, and carefully choose potential assistance from others. Virgo Aug. 23 - Sept. 22 You are prone to anxiety and overthinking, and now the feelings can intensify. It’s best to celebrate your successes rather than dwell on any potential failures. Treat yourself as kindly as you do others, and these feelings will pass. CASHMIRA’S STARGUIDE Reviewed by Darcy Peters is engaging memoir of a lifetime spent in the world of music lets readers into the life of an artist o en associated with the term “smooth jazz.” Grammy-winning Kenneth Gorelick was born in Seattle and came from an extremely close Jewish family, which he lovingly refers to quite o en in this book. e young, self-proclaimed “nerd” began playing the saxophone in elementary school and continued through high school. He confesses to being a little OCD. He earned all A’s in high school, and graduated from the University of Washington with an accounting degree. He began a routine of practicing his saxophone three hours daily, which he still does to this day, and he joined all the bands in school, including the marching band. His music teachers, recognizing his talent, o en recommended him when bands came into town with a need for a sax player. He played around town whenever he could, and nally became a member of an all-Black group called Cold, Bold & Together headed by the late Tony Gable. Gorelick began working and traveling with the band while composing his own music on technical equipment he purchased with a large loan from his father. ough he certainly appreciated singers, his goal was always to make an album of instrumentals. His big break came when he joined the Je Lorber Fusion band. Gorelick worked with Lorber to make his rst album, which was not much of a success. However, Clive Davis, founder and president of Arista Records, noticed the young musician and took an interest in his career. Davis helped promote Gorelick’s rst hit, “Songbird,” and his career took o . And, his name was changed forever more by a bandmate to “Kenny G.” G was an early investor in Starbucks, which was nancially rewarding. A er he had a disagreement with Davis, G admits he mistakenly quit Arista and signed a contract with the company providing music to Starbucks. He regretted this major career error, mostly because of the way they promoted his music. G good-naturedly peppers his book with “sax” jokes, o en leaving the interpretation up to the reader. He also refers to his curls, which are a part of his look, and he is proud of his mane. He writes lovingly about his two sons. He describes reading books to learn everything about raising babies and children. He is very proud of the young men they have become. Always curious, G became a pilot, and he has owned several planes. And then there is golf. To say he is passionate about it would be an understatement. Success in golf does not come from an audience, but is speci cally calculated. G’s commitment to practicing his game has served him well, and he has played well all over the country. His commitment to instrumental music is still strong today, and as he continues to perform, his mantra could serve us all: “Practice, practice, practice.” “Life in the Key of G” By Kenny G with Philip Lerman Blackstone Publishing 2024 •240 pages •$28.99 BOOK REVIEW