Freedom of Saxophone

Jazz musician Kenny G wasn't able to perform during the awards ceremony for the 4th Olympic Songs Competition

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Admittedly, Kenny G’s hair has generated a fair bit of controversy over the years. Still, the polite, successful, Starbucks featured artist and investor seems like the type of well-behaved saxophonist you’d like to bring home to mom and dad. Or rather to the Chinese government.

But the government didn’t take any chances at their April 30 awards ceremony for the 4th Olympic Songs Competition as part of the “100 Days Countdown to the Beijing Olympics.” The event in Beijing’s Forbidden City featured performances from Chinese pop stars and celebrities, including Liu Huan, Han Hong and Jackie Chan. Meanwhile, the musical stylings of Mr. G, who is currently in the midst of a China tour, were conspicuously absent. Rumour has it that due to the recent restrictions on international artists, the world-renowned saxophonist was not allowed to perform at the pre-Olympic event. Instead, he appeared on stage hoisting a Beijing 2008 Olympics placard for a photo op with all of the Chinese musicians and celebrities who had performed at the event.

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