Kenny G’s net worth is $100 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. He has made his money as a contemporary saxophone composer and performer, while also investing in business projects.
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Where Did Kenny G Get His Fortune?
In addition to his music career, Kenny has made early investments in Starbucks and other businesses that have proven to be successful.
In 1982, he released his first solo album, “Kenny G,” which was a huge commercial success. It went platinum and established Kenny G as a leading figure in Contemporary Jazz.
He has since released several more successful albums and has won multiple Grammy Awards. In addition to his musical career, Kenny G has also been involved in various business ventures, including a fine jewelry company.
What Kenny G Is Known For
Music
Kenneth Bruce Gorelick a.k.a. Kenny G started playing saxophone at 10 years old after hearing a television performance on the Ed Sullivan Show.
According to the LA Times, He started playing for Barry White’s Love Unlimited Orchestra and then Jeff Lorber’s Fusion. After he figured out that he has a big potential as a solo artist, he signed a deal with Arista Records in 1982.
Releasing his self-titled debut album followed by ‘G Force’ and his third album ‘Gravity,’ he instantly became a jazz favorite, earning platinum for the last two albums.
When he released his fourth album ‘Duotone,’ it sold over 75 million copies globally, making it one of the best selling instrumental albums ever.
He won multiple awards including a Grammy for Best Instrumental Composition for his ‘Forever In love’ single as well as the AMA’s for Best Adult Contemporary Artist.
Business Ventures
In addition to his musical accomplishments, Kenny G is also a very successful businessman. It all started when his uncle was one of the first people to give Howard Schultz (Starbuck CEO) money and encouraged him to invest as well.
Kenny G was one of the original investors of Starbucks and he now has a portion of ownership in the company due to its success.
According to Money Grower, Kenny G invested in Starbucks back in 1998 with only $10,000. He disclosed this information in a video with CNBC, noting that “investing was crucial” to his success.
Other Investments
Investing in the stock markets also interested the legendary musician. Like Starbucks, he has made some very good investments over the years, such as investing in United Airlines, Microsoft, and Apple.
Facts about Kenny G
Accountancy as a fallback
Although he is widely acknowledged as an instrumentalist, Kenny G actually graduated with flying colors while devoting his life to music. At the University of Washington, he earned a degree in accountancy and was honored as magna cum laude.
According to the National Endowment of the Arts, Kenny G played the sax in high school, but he was rejected, so he practiced and eventually joined the Barry White Love Unlimited Orchestra.
He studied hard in college while performing for professional shows, knowing that if he didn’t “pan out” as a musician, he’ll still have a job as an accountant.
Kenny G collaborations with other artists
At 66 years old, Kenny G has accomplished a lot in his career, including collaborating with some of the world’s most talented artists. Some of his well-known works are present on Spotify and other music streaming platforms.
He has worked with esteemed artists such as Michael Bolton, Whitney Houston, Weezer, Toni Braxton, Kanye West, The Weekend, and more.
Conclusion
Playing music and making sound decisions have helped Kenny G amass a net worth of $100 million. He has made strategic investments, such as in Starbucks, which have earned him a large stake of shares in the company. Stock market investments include United Airlines, Apple, and Microsoft stocks.
Kenny G’s hard work and talent have also led to successful collaborations with other artists, furthering his reach and influence in the music industry. Kenny G’s story is one of enduring success, and his net worth is a reflection of that.
Kenny G Featured Image by: Angela George, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sources:
https://wbckfm.com/kenny-gs-main-source-of-income-might-not-be-music-at-all/
https://www.financialpoise.com/kenny-g-teaches-long-term-investments/
https://abcnews.go.com/Business/kenny-starbucks-frappuccino/story?id=28587589
