Thread by @TomWrightAsia

When the saxophonist Kenny G snapped a photo with pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong in 2014, China's government branded him a spy. To get out of the fix, Kenny put in a call to pro-Beijing actor Jackie Chan ...🧵

To understand this crazy story, you've got to know that Kenny G is perhaps the best known Western artist in China. His song, "Going Home" comes on when shopping malls close and when planes land. Adam Wilkes, Kenny's promoter, was on a plane once with Kenny...

So when Kenny stepped out of his hotel in Hong Kong in 2014, he was instantly recognized by pro-democracy protesters who had taken over the city. He stopped to take photos, including this one, which he put on Facebook.

China's government was furious with Kenny G. "We hope that foreign governments and individuals speak and act cautiously and not support the Occupy Central and other illegal activities in any form," a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said.

Kenny G didn't know what to do. In a panic, he called Adam Wilkes, his promoter. But Adam was sleeping...and so...Kenny called his friend, kung-fu legend Jackie Chan.

Jackie Chan, an ardent pro-Beijing voice, told Kenny to take the post down. He did so, but then was attacked by pro-democracy supporters. Finally Adam got a hold of him and they crafted a ploy to get out of the fix.

Adam was with Bjork when she shouted "Tibet!" at a concert in Shanghai. He was touring Taylor Swift in China when her "TS 1989" concert was mistaken by officials as a reference to Tiananmen Square, and Katy Perry when she inadvertently draped herself in a Taiwanese flag.

But no one expected this kind of trouble from Kenny G and his inoffensive brand of soft jazz. Go inside Kenny's China problems on the latest episode of NIGHT OF SHOW, available now on @ApplePodcasts
podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/nig…

Other listening options for Night of Show here: nightofshow.com

Got some really dope episodes of NIGHT OF SHOW coming up: Next week, Michael Jackson escapes to Thailand as the world's press follows in hot pursuit...and episode six...it's a secret...Subscribers to Brazen+ on @ApplePodcasts can access all episodes now.

podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/nig…