Family, Friends And Fans Welcome Kenny G Home At Coliseum Concert

Music review Kenny G with Peabo Bryson at the Coliseum last night.

It was extended-family night for saxophonist Kenny G last night, with a capacity crowd of friends and family in the Coliseum and what felt like almost as many relatives and pals backstage.

Kenny's father, grandfather and stepmother were on hand; all manner of cousins and kids; plenty of in-laws as well. It seemed like the only person missing was Kenny G's wife. She was home in Los Angeles; the couple are expecting in November.

That was the kind of information you picked up backstage: due dates. That and golf scores and Grandpa's lifelong occupation (plumber). You would never have thought there was a three-hour concert about to take place.

Singer Peabo Bryson strolled into the greeting area, rolled out a couple of funny stories and strolled out. A half-an-hour later he'd be on the stage singing with all his soul, but behind the curtain he was telling everyone about the golf club he bought Kenny.

It was a homecoming for Kenny G in more ways than family. This is his hometown, and while he's played his hometown before, this was his first time at the Coliseum. The Coliseum is where he went to concerts when he was a kid. Now he was back for a concert of his own.

The show was precision Kenny G - long on solos, sometimes longer on single notes, the kind of thing that drives the crowd wild. G is a technical wiz. He's fast, clean and prodigious. His notes don't pour, they splash in slow motion. Even if they're 32nd notes, they're still in slow motion.

He was three songs into the set before he even broke for air, all three - including a slowed-down "Silhouette" - were almost effortlessly offered. Things began coming to a boil with "Midnight Motion," which featured a bouncing snap-and-smile solo by Ballard bassist Dale Johnson.

The pretty "Forever In Love" from the new release "Breathless" followed. It was an easy lead into Peabo Bryson's reappearance for "By The Time This Night Is Over." Kenny G does some of his best work with vocalists and this was no exception. Bryson skipped through the piece, goofed around with G and did a little cheerleading for the homeboy.

"Sister Rose," which the band did in a stripped-down, sit-down "unplugged manner," was one of the true highlights of the evening. There were no tricks, sleight-of-hand or musical acrobatics, just straight-ahead playing. Good jamming over a rock-solid rhythm line.

G and company closed out with "Wedding Song" and - joined by former percussionist Tony Gable - "Joy of Life," in which the saxophonist made his patented "stadium walk," soloing as he made his way from the rafters all the way back to the stage. There were squeals and screams of satisfaction. The show encored and ended with "Songbird."

Afterwards, it was backstage again for some earnest partying. Plenty of family, friends and deli trays.

Tomorrow, golf.