[Commlist] Kenny G: Meanings and Musics CFP

Call for Proposals (edited collection)

*Deadline extended to Sept. 30, 2023*

Kenny G: Meanings and Musics


Kenny Gorelick, the saxophonist affectionately known as Kenny G, is a 
figure who is as much infamous as famous, and whose popularity is 
commonly used as evidence of the degraded nature of their art. As a 
public figure, he represents a paradox: he is the best-selling 
instrumental artist of all time, but also the widespread subject of 
critical scorn and popular ridicule. From mainstreaming smooth jazz in 
the 1980 and 90s to performing controversial posthumous duets with jazz 
greats like Louis Armstrong, Kenny G’s art and actions have generated 
considerable discourse. As of 2023, the former laughing stock is now a 
meme king, as a new generation of artists and fans have rediscovered his 
music and as social media has become the vehicle for a new and 
unexplored popularity.


Despite his ongoing cultural significance, there has been little 
scholarly discourse about Kenny G. This collection proposes to address 
this gap. We invite proposals for 5,000-word essays that will deepen and 
expand the discourse about the musician and media personality. In 
particular, we seek a global, multi-disciplinary address of Kenny G’s 
art and cultural impact drawing on the disciplines of musicology, sound 
studies, media studies, and more.


Possible chapter topics include (but are not limited to) the 
consideration of Kenny G in relation to:


Jazz, soft jazz, and/or popular music genres

Race, ethnicity, and cultural identity

New media and social media

Fandom

His mediation (Listening to Kenny G, South Park, memes, etc.)

Music videos and TV broadcasts

Collaborations with other artists

Radio

Nostalgia

Taste cultures

Live performance (in person and mediated)

The global context(s) of his music

Image and appearance

Choreography / movement

Entrepreneurship


For consideration, please provide a brief bio and 400-600 word proposal 
via this Google form <https://forms.gle/3hLnB3LYe9VFUYHB7> no later than 
September 30, 2023. Please contact Kristen Fuhs 
((Kristen.Fuhs /at/ woodbury.edu) <mailto:(Kristen.Fuhs /at/ woodbury.edu)>), Paul N. 
Reinsch ((paul.n.reinsch /at/ ttu.edu) <mailto:(paul.n.reinsch /at/ ttu.edu)>) or 
Laurel Westrup ((lwestrup /at/ humnet.ucla.edu) 
<mailto:(lwestrup /at/ humnet.ucla.edu)>) with any questions.

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