Last Saturday night, Nairobi’s KICC was transformed into an exclusive saxophone sanctuary as the legendary Kenny G finally graced Kenyan soil, serenading fans with the kind of musical mastery only he can deliver.

I had the privilege of attending the Only One Night show with a Gold Pass ticket, which meant I had some prime vantage seating to soak in every note of the world’s most celebrated saxophonist.

The parking lot was packed, I drove around for a few minutes scouting for space to join the more than one thousand fans already inside, anticipation was at fever pitch.

From the moment I walked in, it was clear Stanbic Bank, the event’s main sponsor, did not come to play and had gone all out to ensure the optics and performance don’t disappoint.

The ambience, lighting, décor, and giant ad screens inside and outside the venue gave off nothing short of a world-class feel.

A Blue-Carpet Nairobi

Security was tight from the KICC gates, with thorough checks and a heavy police presence ensuring fans felt secure.

Attendants were on hand to direct guests how to access the venue, even as City Hall Way was barricaded, effectively converting Nairobi’s KICC into an exclusive Kenny G zone.

The crowd matched the occasion.

Nairobi came dressed to kill: The style, colour, and elegance, especially from the ladies, felt like a scene straight out of the Oscars or MTV Awards.

Notable corporate leaders were present at the musical concert, including Stanbic Bank Kenya CEO Joshua Oigara and Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa.

Before heading in, I warmed up with a cup of americano at Backyard Coffee, just outside the entrance, and later, some well-marinated grilled chicken from nearby vendors, and I was set.

The Opening Act – Kato Change

The show kicked off around 8pm, with Kenya’s very own Kato Change, a two-time Latin Grammy nominee, setting the mood.

His exceptional guitar work, blended with the sounds of birds chirping and conventional beats, transported us back to Kisumo dala.

Backed by saxophonist Benjy, Kato drowned away our worries with melodic riffs, mixing benga, rhumba, and fusion sounds in songs like Nairobi, The Red One, Sazile, and Sonde among others.

His one-hour set was a perfect appetizer.

After a short interlude filled with DJ mixes, fans grabbed snacks and bathroom breaks, awaiting the main act.

Enter the Sax Maestro

Sadly, a technical hitch delayed Kenny G’s entrance by more than an hour, testing the patience of the eager crowd, with some having arrived at the venue before 5pm.

But when he finally walked onto the stage, minutes past 10 pm, and released the first notes of Loving You through his iconic soprano saxophone, the audience erupted.

The painful wait was forgotten and from that moment, it was pure magic.

He breezed through classics like Silhouette and G-Bop, pausing to connect with the crowd with some light-hearted jokes and a few American-accented Swahili greetings.

Couples swayed lovingly to Sentimental as his band fired up the crowd with Havana.

His long-time percussionist Ron Powell and drummer Dennis Bradford each had their moments to shine, thrilling the audience with electrifying solos.

Kenny G himself beamed with pride as he watched his bandmates work the crowd.

Then came the hits that cemented his legend: Forever in Love, played on the same vintage soprano sax he’s cherished since high school, followed by Going Home, which truly brought the house down.

The highlight for me was his 10-minute freestyle sax solo, which melted seamlessly into Songbird.

And just when fans thought it couldn’t get any better, he closed with his iconic rendition of My Heart Will Go On.

The crowd, hungry for more, begged for an encore.

Beyond the Music

After the show, Kenny G spent over an hour signing autographs and meeting his Kenyan fans.

I had my “Best of Kenny G” CD autographed, along with a photo moment; a memory I’ll treasure forever.

For me, this memorable night was deeply personal.

See, I was introduced to Kenny G’s music by my late father, Robert Otani, when I was just a boy.

His love for good music shaped mine, and as I sat in that hall, listening to Kenny G’s timeless notes, I couldn’t help but feel his presence.

If he were alive, I know we would have shared this unforgettable night together.

Final Verdict

Delays aside, this was a once-in-a-lifetime performance; Kenny G, his band, and Stanbic Bank outdid themselves on this one for sure!

The ambience, the music, the fashion, the memories; it was a night that proved Nairobi has a place on the global entertainment map.

Well done, Kenny G. Well done, Nairobi.