Perhaps I have a Chinese heart inside of me!" says Kenny G, saxophonist extraordinaire, who is coming back to Shanghai after five years, for a concert next week.

 

Although a star of yesteryear, one of the world's biggest-selling instrumentalists has proved popular among Chinese audiences. His concerts in Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou during his first China tour in 2002 impressed the saxophonist.

 

"I found the audiences that we played for in China very enthusiastic and our concerts were really amazing," he says. "Walking along the Great Wall in the very cold winter was also most memorable."

 

According to him, his music and the Chinese melodies are similar. "I love Chinese melodies," says the artist who has recorded two well-known Chinese songs, Jasmine Flower and The Moon Represents My Heart. Ultimately I would like to record more traditional melodies," he says.

 

The legendary saxophone player's close relation with China is also illustrated by his collaboration with Chinese pop superstars Andy Lau and Leehom Wong in their hit singles Be My Lady and The One And Only You. He says he is open to collaborating with other Asian artists in the future.

 

The instrumental artist is known for his attractive sound, which melts emotions into the melodies. Apart from his long-standing repertoires, he will also perform songs from his latest album I'm in the Mood for Love released four months ago.

 

It is the 17th album for Kenny G, who celebrated his 50th birthday last July, marking his 25th year as an Arista recording artist. The world's most renowned saxophone stylist devoted his entire album to romantic songs.

 

I'm in the Mood for Love ranges across nearly three quarters of a century of music. The veteran artist pays homage to the great 20th-century American songbook, from The Way You Look Tonight and I'm in the Mood for Love, both written by Dorothy Fields, to Billy Joel's Just the Way You Are and Barbra Streisand's The Way We Were. The most recent chart hits of the day, such as James Blunt's You're Beautiful and Josh Groban's You Raise Me Up, are also concluded.

 

Since he released his debut album in 1982, Kenny G has sold more than 75 million albums, singles and videos -- 45 million units in the US alone.

 

"As an artist you're supposed to do your thing just the way you feel it," Kenny G says. "I play saxophone the way I play saxophone. The music that I play, that's what I feel inside."

 

Date: March 29, 8pm

 

Venue: Yunfeng Theater, 1700 Beijing Rd W.

 

Tickets: 480-1,280 yuan

 

Tel: 962-288

 

(Shanghai Daily March 23, 2007)