Smooth jazz saxophonist Kenny G is a musical force of nature. Proving a heavy hitter with his 1986 breakthrough album, Duotones—featuring the funky, relaxed “Songbird”—he opened the door to a new form of hip sentimentality with his lush, neon-cool solos. His synthy 1992 Breathless saw an even more tranquil set of tracks, such as the unabashedly romantic and hopeful “Morning”. Truly a dynamic musician, he wields a technique virtually unparalleled among jazz saxophonists, and his repertoire includes collaborations with acts as varied as Robin Thicke, Aretha Franklin and Weezer.