One Night Only with Kenny G
From songs such as Loving You, Silhouette, The Moment, Havana and My Heart Will Go On, a cover of Celine Dion’s cover of the hit film, Titanic, he had his audience eat out of his palms.
Kenny G performs at the One Night Only concert at Mestil Hotel on Sunday night. (Photos by Kalungi Kabuye)
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Kampala lived a dream on Sunday night as Grammy-winning saxophonist Kenny G gave his first-ever Ugandan performance at Mestil Gardens in Kampala. The One Night Only show, like the title suggested, was elegant and intimate.
From the moment guests began streaming in, the atmosphere hinted at the uniqueness of the night. They were draped in the style befitting the occasion.
Kenny G performs at the One Night Only concert at Mestil Hotel on Sunday night.
On the decks, DJ Anselm skillfully curated a pre-show soundtrack of country, classics, rock, and timeless oldies. The MC, Ben Mwine, joked that the audience were the curtain raisers since they were singing along.
The man of the hour stepped on stage at about 8:32 p.m. without any pomp, no announcement, in his signature blue suit playing Loving You on a mainly blue lit backdrop.
And with the very first note from his saxophone, it was clear why Kenny G remains one of the world’s most celebrated instrumentalists. Smooth yet powerful, his music filled the night air like a prayer.
Happy people at Kenny G's One Night Only concert at Mestil Hotel on Sunday night.
In a heartwarming gesture, Kenny G greeted the audience in Luganda after his first song, “Muli mutya…my Luganda is not lugandaring but nja gezako, mwebale kujja.”
The crowd roared in delight, instantly connecting with him.
What followed was a masterclass in live performance. Kenny G’s crew of instrumentalists delivered enthralling solos that brought the crowd to their feet.
At moments, the audience themselves became part of the orchestra, singing along passionately to familiar melodies. From songs such as Loving You, Silhouette, The Moment, Havana and My Heart Will Go On, a cover of Celine Dion’s cover of the hit film, Titanic, he had his audience eat out of his palms.
A Kenny G fan 'in the zone' during the One Night Only concert at Mestil Hotel on Sunday night. 
The interplay between Kenny G’s soaring saxophone and the audience’s voices created a communal rhythm that blurred the line between performer and listener. This Ugandan debut came just weeks after his surprise performance with pop star Doja Cat at the MTV Video Music Awards.
“Kenny G’s music is truly timeless it bridges generations and brings people together in celebration. He is not just any artist, but a global jazz icon, and jazz as a genre has always been deeply connected to Johnnie Walker,” said Christine Kyokunda, Brand Manager for Johnnie Walker.
By 10:10 p.m., Kenny G wrapped up his performance with a heartfelt thank you. Some revellers, astonished at the punctuality, wished the night would go on. Yet many praised him for his professionalism and respect for time, which is rare with our local concert scene.
As he signed CDs for a lucky few, the gardens refused to go quiet. DJ Anselm’s mixes kept the party alive, and long after Kenny G had left the stage and Kampala continued to dance.