i know a lot or orgers don't care for najee (kenny g light)...but he was a pretty successful solo artist before he joined the npg...was hyped up by Prince, then kinda fell out of favor. anybody know the scoop?

perhaps najee just went back to doing his own thing afterwards. seemed more like he was just guest-starring or something, instead of becoming a full-on band member.

meltwithu said:

when'd he join the NPG? how long?

doctamario said:

IIRC, he was around during the one nite alone tour.

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

and played most of the sax on the rainbow children

meltwithu said:

yeppers, that too.

JazzReview: I understand you have been doing some touring with Prince. He actually called you and said, “Come on.”

Najee: That’s right. It’s strange how it happened and I love telling this story.

Somebody called me and said, “Najee, Prince wants to talk with you.” I said, “Okay.” He said, “I’ll call you back.” Then he hangs up—click—just like that. About an hour later, the phone rings. It’s the same guy. He said, “Prince wants to talk with you. He’s on the line.” I said, “okay.” Prince gets on the line and says, “Hey man, what’s up?” (Stunned), I said, “ Man, I don’t know. What’s up?” He said, “Listen, when are you and I getting together?”

I’m thinking—I don’t know what that meant. So, I say, “I don’t know. You tell me.” He said, “Well why don’t you come out now, to Minneapolis?” I said, “I can’t come out now.” “When can you come out?" he said. I said, “I don’t know—a couple of days.”

He calls back, about two hours later with plans from the travel agenda, and I ended up going out for three or four days for jam sessions. Then he asked me to join the band.

JazzReview: Wow, that’s incredible. Right out of the clear blue sky! So he’s had his eye on you for a while to want to do that. That’s quite an honor.

Najee: He loves saxophone players, as you know. Candy Dulfer has been with him for a very long time. Maceo (Parker) has been with him for a long time.

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

Thanks. I don't mean to sound dumb, but, what's IIRC?

doctamario said:

IIRC = If I Recall Correctly.

Najee: toured from 2000 to 2002 with Prince

2000 'Hit 'N Run'
2001 'Hit 'N Run'
2002 'One Nite Alone' (US leg)

.
[Edited 11/28/05 23:00pm]

he fucked up many a show...with his mellow crap!!!

prettymansson said:

i dont get the hate for him. people say hes like kenny g, but hes a much better player. sure, he plays "smooth jazz", but that doesnt automatically put him in the same boat as kenny. kenny is a crappy player, najee is quite skilled.

prettymansson said:

dude. mellow was pretty much the whole point and feeling of the ona live tour. najee fit right in with it.

Ashtheking said:

EXACTLY!! And he's on eof my favorites from the '80's era next to George Howard and Gerald Albright.

JazzyJ said:

I'll third that. He is way better than Kenny G. Of course, 3rd graders picking up the sax for the first time are better than Kenny.

No way! kenny g worked with prince? I have gotsto tell everyone about this, including my uncle and like a bunch of older people i know who like kenny g music
[Edited 11/29/05 23:26pm]

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

I dont think anyone here knows more about prince than i do...so i know the deal...and i went to many of those shows...i say what i said to say....prince gave him too many solo´s and they all sounded the same to me...BORING !!!! ERIC LEEDS would tear that man up....!!!!! I also didnt like the band without a 2nd guitar player...how the hell u gonna play songs like mutiny with prince dancing around or Housequake and not have someone throwing down some chicken on the guitar ??? so yes i think he fucked up many shows...along with prince´judgement to not hire a guitar player.

chunky said:

No, Kenny did not work with Prince, thank God!