The Silky Sax of Kenny G

He’s the biggest saxophone sensation around. He’s a pop star posing as a jazz musician. He’s a man with the shortest last name in show biz.

He’s Kenny G, and he’ll be at the Arlington Theater in Santa Barbara Friday night.

In the last few years since the surprise success of his album “Duotones,” soprano saxophonist Kenny G has swept the music scene like few other instrumentalists.

His signature tune from that album, “Songbird,” was only the sixth instrumental single to break into the Top 10 in the ‘80s, and only the second such instrumental hit of the decade not associated with a film or TV show.

Mass appeal hasn’t come without controversy.

While the Kenny G sound--silky tones, simple melodies and funky rhythms--won new fans worldwide, it also earned him widespread disdain among jazz critics and listeners, who felt that his watered-down blend of R&B; and jazz lacked artistry or vision.

The Seattle-born-and-bred musician got his first break when he was hired by keyboardist Jeff Lorber, who went on to acclaim for his own jazz fusion, and also produced the saxophonist’s debut album, “Kenny G”in 1982. G played with another fusion ensemble, the Rippingtons, before his solo career took off. At present, it’s off and running.

Kenny G will be performing at the Arlington Theater, 1317 State St., Santa Barbara Friday night at 7.

For information, call 963-4408.